Anaxyrus monfontanus
(Gordon, Simandle, Sandmeier, and Tracy, 2020)
Hot Creek Toad
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Critically endangeredIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1154629
Element CodeAAABB01260
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNCritically endangered
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyBufonidae
GenusAnaxyrus
SynonymsBufo monfontanusGordon, Simandle, Sandmeier, and Tracy, 2020
Concept ReferenceGordon, M.R., E.T. Simandle, F.C. Sandmeier, and C.R. Tracy. 2020. Two new cryptic endemic toads of Bufo discovered in Central Nevada, western United States (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Bufo [Anaxyrus]). Copeia 108(1): 166-183.
Taxonomic CommentsA molecular study suggests that A. monfontanus are more closely related to western toads in Utah, research examining the historic hydrological connections into Railroad Valley suggests a connection from the now disjunct White River to the Colorado River, which may have provided the corridors necessary for toad dispersal into the southern Great Basin (Noles 2010). This may provide some explanation for the high level of divergence exhibited in A. nevadensis and A. monfontanus to Great Basin A. boreas and allied taxa, and elucidate the genetic link to western toads outside the region.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Biotics v1
Review Date2020-06-11
Change Date2020-06-11
Edition Date2020-06-11
Edition AuthorsMiskow, E. and M. Ormes (2020)
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Range Extent CommentsThis narrow endemic is only known from Hot Creek Canyon in Nye County, Nevada (Gordon et al. 2020).
Occurrences CommentsThis species is known only from the type locality in the outflows of the warm springs and marshy areas in Hot Creek Canyon.
Threat Impact CommentsThis taxon co-occurs with introduced Crenichthys nevadae (Railroad Valley Springfish) near Upper Warm Springs, and the introduced Rana catesbeiana (American Bullfrog) can be found within the interior streams of the canyon. . Additionally, the Rana catesbeiana co-occurs in system, and this species is known to outcompete and prey upon much smaller anurans such as bufonids. Rana catesbeiana is also a known vector for potentially lethal anuran diseases, such as chytridiomycosis.
Ecology & Habitat
Diagnostic Characteristics
Anaxyrus (Bufo) monfontanus is distinguishable from A, boreas by having a small adult body size (SVL is 2 cm smaller than B. boreas; significantly, but modestly shorter head; perceptibly large, parotoid glands; significantly, but comparatively shorter legs with small hind feet; and weakly warted body. Anaxyrus monfontanus is among the smallest bufonids within the A. boreas species complex, and it is only larger than B. williamsi. An important diagnostic feature among A. monfontanus is the presentation of well defined, relatively large parotoid glands, which distinguishes this small toad from all other small-sized toads within the A.boreas species complex.
Habitat
This species can be found in the marshy water or in the perimeter band that transition from riparian habitat to sagebrush steppe.
Palustrine HabitatsHERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Nevada | S1 | Yes |
References (3)
- Frost, D.R. 2020. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Online: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html
- Gordon, M.R., E.T. Simandle, F.C. Sandmeier, and C.R. Tracy. 2020. Two new cryptic endemic toads of <i>Bufo</i> discovered in Central Nevada, western United States (Amphibia: Bufonidae: <i>Bufo</i> [<i>Anaxyrus</i>]). Copeia 108(1): 166-183.
- Noles, P. M. 2010. Reconciling western toad phylogeography with Great Basin prehistory. Unpubl. M.S. thesis, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada.