Description
Bufo amabilis is a new species recently discovered by John D. Lynch. It is the largest Bufo in the Bufo spinulosus group. Its average SVL is 82.6. It is characterized by a number of different features such as a large, defined tympanum with a plectral apparatus. It has a long, triangular snout, and its head is wider than it is long. The posterior parotoid glands are larger, more ovoid and broader than those anteriorly. They have sexually dimorphic glandular formations. The males have glandular and warty formations with a single keratinous spine per glandular formation (except on certain points on limbs and flanks). The females are less glandular and rarely have keratinous spines. The ventral granules are large and elevated. Digit I is of equal length to digit IV. The hind limbs are long, with basal webbing on the feet with about half of the toes webbed. The fingers, however, are not webbed. The cranial crest and tibial glands are absent.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Ecuador

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

The first species were collected from Provincia Loja, Ecuador in the inter-Andean valley. B. amabilis and the B. spinulosus are the only species that occurs north of the Huancabamba Depression.

B. Amabilis can be found in the Matorral Seco Montano Sierra life zone. This area has a mean annual rainfall of 250-500 mm with a mean annual temperature of 7-12°C.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Assumed to be oviparous (producing eggs outside the body).

Comments
This species is based on the following publication:

Pramuk, J.B. and F. Kadivar. 2003. A new species of Bufo (Anura: Bufonidae) from southern Ecuador. Herpetologica, 59, 2003, p 270-283.

References

Pramuk, J. B. and Kadivar, F. (2003). ''A new species of Bufo (Anura: Bufonidae) from southern Ecuador.'' Herpetologica, 59(2), 270-283.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2004 Rhinella amabilis <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/6102> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Jan 29, 2025.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2025. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 29 Jan 2025.

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