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The Fire-bellied Toads are a group of eight species of small toads (typically 4-7cm in length) belonging to the genus Bombina. Common variants on the name 'Fire-bellied toad' include 'firebelly toad' and 'firebellied toad'.
Toads in the genus Bombina were formerly classified under the family Discoglossidae in reference to the fact that they cannot fold out their disc-shaped tongue, unlike the other toads and frogs. Differences in morphology, biology and behaviour, have led them to be classified in their own family, Bombinatoridae, together with the genus Barbourula.
They are found across much of Europe and Asia, staying in water or near the shore. They prefer a temperature of 18 -20 Celsius. The largest fire-bellied toad is the Giant Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina maxima), attaining a length of 6-7 cm, living in the highlands of Southern China.
Their name derives from the brightly coloured red- or yellow-and-black patterns on their ventral region, which act as aposematic coloration, a warning to predators of the toads' reputedly foul taste. The other parts of the toads' skins have more neutral colours such as green or dark brown. When confronted with a possible predator, it is not uncommon for these toads to engage in an Unken Reflex, "Unken" being the plural form of the German term "Unke" for firebellied toad, wherein the toad arches its back, raising its front and back legs to display the bold warning coloration of its underside.
Species
- Bombina bombina Linnaeus, 1761 : European Fire-bellied Toad
- Bombina fortinuptialis Tian & Wu, 1978 : Guangxi Fire-bellied Toad, Large-spined Bell Toad
- Bombina lichuanensis : Lichuan Bell Toad.
- Bombina maxima Boulenger, 1905 : Giant Fire-bellied Toad, Large-webbed Bell Toad
- Bombina microdeladigitoria Liu, Hu & Yang, 1960 : Hubei Fire-bellied Toad, Small-webbed Bell Toad.
- Bombina pachypus : Appenine Yellow-bellied Toad.
- Bombina orientalis Boulenger, 1890 : Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
- Bombina variegata Linnaeus, 1758 : Yellow-bellied Toad
Between April and May, they mate several times with the male embracing the female ( = amplexus) in the pelvic region. She secures her 80 - 300 eggs in globs on stalks or blades hanging in water. The larvae develop in pools or puddles. Their metamorphosis is complete within a few weeks, peaking in July - August. The toadlets attain a length of 1.2 – 1.5 cm. But the breeding period extends till the end of summer. The eggs, laid in August, metamorphose only after the winter, with the toadlets attaining a length of 3 – 5 cm. These toadlets still have a white belly. They reach their sexual maturity in the 2nd-4th year of life.
Although distinct in morphology and generally regarded as separate species, the Yellow-Bellied Toad, Bombina variegata, from western Europe, and the European Fire-Bellied Toad, Bombina bombina, from eastern Europe and Asia are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Where their habitats overlap a 10 km wide hybrid zone has formed, where these hybrids flourish. This serves as a counter-example to the common definition of species which states that members of different species must not be able to breed to produce fertile offspring.
Tadpoles eat mainly algae and higher plants. The toadlets and the toads consume insects, such as flies and beetles, but also invertebrates such as annelid worms, and terrestrial arthropods.
Several species in the genus Bombina, particularly B. orientalis, B bombina, and B. variegata, are commonly kept exotic pets and are readily available in many pet stores. In captivity, they are easily maintained in vivariums and when provided with proper food and environmental conditions, often prove robust, flamboyant and long lived amphibians. Barring death due to improper maintenance, a captive fire-bellied toad may live to be 12 years, and there are several cases reported by owners of fire-bellied toads attaining ages up to 29 years.
The destruction of wetlands poses a serious threat for the survival of most of these species.
References
Menno Schilthuizen (2001). Frogs, Flies & Dandelions. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-850393-8
External links
"Fire-bellied toad"