Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Bufonidae
- Genus: Sclerophrys
- Species: Sclerophrys poweri
- Authority: (Loveridge, 1932)
Common name
Power’s toad
Description
- Sclerophrys poweri* is a medium‑sized toad. Adults typically measure 45–70 mm in snout–vent length. The dorsal surface is generally brown to olive‑gray, often with irregular darker blotches. The skin is covered with tubercles and small warts, characteristic of many bufonids. The ventral side is lighter, ranging from pale yellow to creamy white. The species possesses relatively short limbs and a broad head with a distinct tympanum.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Africa. Its confirmed range includes:
- Namibia (particularly the central and southern regions)
- Botswana (north‑eastern and central areas)
- South Africa (limited to the northern provinces such as Limpopo and Gauteng)
Habitat: S. poweri inhabits savanna, grassland, and semi‑arid shrubland. It is commonly associated with temporary or permanent water bodies such as seasonal pans, rain‑filled depressions, and slow‑moving streams where breeding occurs.
Ecology and behavior
- Breeding: Reproduction is opportunistic, typically triggered by heavy rains. Males call from shallow water, and females lay strings of eggs that develop into aquatic larvae (tadpoles).
- Diet: Like most toads, it is insectivorous, preying on a variety of arthropods, including beetles, ants, and termites.
- Activity pattern: Primarily nocturnal, emerging after rain to forage and breed.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Sclerophrys poweri as Least Concern. The species has a relatively wide distribution and is presumed to have a large population. No major threats have been identified, although localized habitat degradation due to agriculture and mining could impact certain subpopulations.
Taxonomic notes
The species was originally described as Bufo poweri by Arthur Loveridge in 1932. Subsequent phylogenetic studies reassigned it to the genus Sclerophrys, reflecting revised relationships within the family Bufonidae.
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2020. Sclerophrys poweri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T54488A16951918.
- Frost, D.R. (2023). Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History.
- Loveridge, A. (1932). “A New Species of Bufo from South West Africa.” Annals and Magazine of Natural History 9(10): 241‑244.
