Ansonia kraensis
Ansonia kraensis, commonly known as the Kra stream toad, is a species of toad found on the Kra Isthmus in Thailand. It is distinguished from similar species by differences in its ventral coloration and larval morphology. The species is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and agricultural expansion.
Key Facts
- ›Found on the Kra Isthmus, Thailand.
- ›Males measure 20–22 MM and females 24–28 MM in snout-to-vent length.
- ›Dorsum is brown with darker markings and small warts, some with orange-yellow tips.
- ›Limbs feature orange-yellow crossbars.
- ›Tadpoles are flattened, dorsally black with light bands, and have a large oral disc.
- ›Habitat includes forest areas near streams and seepages.
Kra Stream Toad
Forest, Streams
Thailand
- Orange-Yellow Crossbars On Limbs
- Orange-Yellow Tips On Some Dorsal Warts
- Distinct Ventral Coloration Compared To Ansonia Malayana
- Unique Larval Morphology Compared To Ansonia Malayana
About Ansonia kraensis
Ansonia kraensis: The Kra Stream Toad
Ansonia kraensis, commonly known as the Kra stream toad, is a species of toad belonging to the Bufonidae family. This amphibian is found exclusively on the Kra Isthmus in Thailand. It shares morphological similarities with Ansonia malayana, a species from Malaysia, but is distinct in its ventral coloration and the morphology of its larval stage.
Description and Habitat
Adult Kra stream toads exhibit a brown dorsum adorned with darker markings. Their skin is covered in small, minute warts, some of which are tipped with orange-yellow. A notable characteristic is the presence of orange-yellow crossbars on their limbs. Males typically range from 20–22 mm in snout-to-vent length, while females are slightly larger, measuring 24–28 mm. The tympanum is visible in adults.
The tadpoles of Ansonia kraensis are also distinctive. They are flattened with a dorsally black body marked by two transverse light bands, and an unpigmented ventral side. Their oral disc is notably large. These tadpoles have been observed in small streams with moderate flow, where they cling to rocks. The adult toads inhabit forest environments, preferring areas near streams and sometimes found near seepages situated away from flowing water.
Conservation Concerns
The precise threats facing Ansonia kraensis are not fully documented. However, it is understood that habitat loss, primarily driven by logging activities and the expansion of agricultural lands, poses a significant risk to the survival of this species. Further research is needed to fully understand its ecological requirements and conservation needs.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ansonia kraensis?
Ansonia kraensis is a species of toad belonging to the Bufonidae family. It is commonly referred to as the Kra stream toad.
Where is Ansonia kraensis found?
This species is endemic to the Kra Isthmus region of Thailand. It inhabits forest environments.
How can Ansonia kraensis be identified?
Adult Ansonia kraensis have brown dorsums with darker markings and small warts, some tipped with orange-yellow. Their limbs display distinctive orange-yellow crossbars. The tympanum is visible.
What are the threats to Ansonia kraensis?
The exact threats to Ansonia kraensis are not precisely known, but it is believed to be endangered by forest loss resulting from logging activities and the expansion of agriculture.
What is the habitat of Ansonia kraensis tadpoles?
Tadpoles of Ansonia kraensis have been observed in small streams with moderate water flow. They are typically found clinging to rocks within these streams.
Related Frogs
Ansonia albomaculata
Ansonia albomaculata, also known as the white-lipped slender toad or whitebelly stream toad, is a toad species endemic to the island of Borneo. This slender toad is characterized by its dark brown, warty dorsum and is found in lowland rainforests, breeding in clear, rocky-bottomed streams where its tadpoles cling to rocks.
Ansonia hanitschi
Ansonia hanitschi, commonly known as the Kadamaian stream toad, is a species of toad endemic to the mountains of Borneo. This amphibian is found in both Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo, inhabiting submontane and montane forests, typically on the forest floor. Its breeding is closely tied to clear, rocky mountain streams.
Ansonia inthanon
Ansonia inthanon is a small toad species belonging to the Bufonidae family, native to the subtropical forests of Thailand. It is distinctively found near torrents on sloping land and faces threats from habitat loss and invasive species. Despite its restricted known range, it is not considered rare within its specific habitat.