Crucifix toad
| Script error: No such module "Automated taxobox". | |
|---|---|
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. | |
| A male. | |
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. | |
| A male. | |
Script error: No such module "Conservation status".
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Script error: No such module "Taxobox ranks".: | <div style="display:inline" class="script error: no such module "taxobox ranks".">Template:Taxon infoTemplate:Taxon italics |
| Binomial name | |
| Template:Taxon infoTemplate:Taxon italics Günther, 1873
| |
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. | |
| Range of the crucifix toad | |
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. | |
Page Template:Taxobox/core/styles.css has no content.Template:Taxonbar/candidateTemplate:Speciesbox/parameterCheckScript error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
The crucifix toad (Notaden bennettii), holy cross frog or Catholic frog is a species of frog in the family Limnodynastidae. It is a fossorial frog. It is one of the few Australian frogs to display aposematism. It is native to western New South Wales and south-western Queensland.
It was first described in 1873 by Albert Günther.[2][3]
Description
The crucifix toad is the most distinctive species of frog within the genus Notaden. Whereas most Notaden frogs are dark brown in colour, the crucifix toad exhibits many bright colours. Its dorsal surface is bright yellow, with a cross of many colours centered on the back. The cross is outlined with large, black dots, and filled with white, black and red dots. The ventral surface is white, and the flanks blue.
The crucifix toad is a small, and very round frog. Its nose is blunt, and legs and feet are small. As this species is fossorial, the tympanum is hidden. Males reach a length of Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.6.3 centimetres (2+15⁄32 in), and females a length of Page Template:Fraction/styles.css has no content.6.8 centimetres (2+11⁄16 in). The species feet have little "spades" to help them burrow deeply.[4]
Ecology and behaviour
The crucifix toad is a ground-dwelling frog which inhabits the arid areas of western New South Wales and Queensland. It is able to survive dry periods by burrowing and reducing activity.[5] Upon very heavy rain, they will emerge from the ground, and begin breeding in temporary ponds. The males call from within the pond to attract the female. The call is a "woop". The development of the tadpole is rapid so as to take advantage of the wet conditions and reducing the risk of them dying from the pond drying up. The cycle is so quick it can be over in six weeks.[6]
The frog exudes a tacky and elastic "frog glue" onto its dorsal skin when provoked. Its purpose is uncertain; it may be intended to confuse and deter predators such as snakes, or to trap biting insects (which would later be consumed when the frog sheds and eats its skin). Male crucifix toads have been documented to use this glue to attach themselves onto the larger females during mating. The glue has been found to be stronger than available non-toxic medical adhesives and is the subject of further study. The glue is a protein-based pressure-sensitive adhesive that functions even in wet conditions.[4][7]
The crucifix toad's diet primarily consists of ants and termites.
See also
Lua error in mw.title.lua at line 404: bad argument #2 to 'title.new' (unrecognized namespace name 'Portal').
References
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Hero, Jean-Marc; Meyer, Ed; Robertson, Peter; Lemckert, Frank; Clarke, John (2004-04-30). "Notaden bennettii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.The State of Queensland;Department of Environment and Science (2014-10-20). "Species profile | Environment, land and water: Notaden bennettii". apps.des.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Template:Cite Q
- ^ a b Frog Glue. Catalyst. 3 August 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Heatwole, Harold; Cameron, Elizabeth; Webb, Grahame J. W. (1971). "Studies on Anuran Water Balance: II. Desiccation in the Australian Frog, Notaden bennetti". Herpetologica. 27 (4): 365–378. ISSN 0018-0831. JSTOR 3891275.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Rain brings out native toad". The Ridge News. Fairfax Media. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ Template:Cite Q
Further reading
- Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler, M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 978-0-949324-61-0.
Script error: No such module "Taxonbar".
