Incilius periglenes, commonly known as the Monteverde golden toad, is a species of anuran amphibian belonging to the family Bufonidae. This toad was endemic to a small range in the Tilarán Mountain Range, in Costa Rica, and was discovered in 1966 by herpetologist Jay Savage. Sadly, it is considered extinct, with the last sighting confirmed in 1989.
Description and Morphology
Incilius periglenes was known for its distinctive and striking appearance, especially in males.
Coloration: The males were a bright, metallic gold color, which is where their common name comes from. Females, on the other hand, had a more varied coloration, ranging from green with black spots to shades of yellow and red. This notable difference in sexual coloration made males particularly easy to identify during the mating season.
Size: The size of the golden toad was relatively small, with males measuring around 5 cm in length. Females were generally larger than males.
Skin: The skin of Incilius periglenes was smooth and shiny, without the prominent parotid glands found in many other toad species. This characteristic, along with its coloration, gave it a unique appearance among the amphibians of its region.
Habitat and Ecology
The Monteverde golden toad inhabited the cloud forests of the Tilarán Mountain Range, at elevations of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. This habitat is characterized by high humidity, moderate temperatures and dense vegetation.
Reproduction: Reproduction of Incilius periglenes occurred during the rainy season, when the toads congregated in small temporary pools to mate. The males would group together in these bodies of water and compete for females, using their calls to attract them. The females laid large quantities of eggs in the water, which were fertilized externally by the males.
Diet: Like other toads, Incilius periglenes was insectivorous. Their diet consisted mainly of insects and other small invertebrates that they found on the forest floor.
Decline and Extinction
The decline of the golden toad was rapid and drastic. Despite being abundant in the 1970s, the population began to decline rapidly in the mid-1980s. The causes of its extinction are not completely clear, but several factors are believed to have contributed to its disappearance:
Climate Change: Alterations in weather patterns may have affected the golden toad's habitat, making the moisture conditions necessary for its reproduction less frequent.
Diseases: Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been implicated in the decline of many amphibian populations around the world and may have played a role in the disappearance of Incilius periglenes.
Habitat Loss: Although less likely due to the protection of the area where it lived, any habitat degradation could have negatively affected the populations.
Importance and Legacy
The Monteverde golden toad has become a symbol of the global amphibian crisis and biodiversity loss. Their disappearance highlights the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation and study of endangered species. Despite its extinction, Incilius periglenes remains a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment and the fragility of many species in the face of environmental changes.
Approximate measurements of the Golden Toad:
Description and Morphology
Incilius periglenes was known for its distinctive and striking appearance, especially in males.
Coloration: The males were a bright, metallic gold color, which is where their common name comes from. Females, on the other hand, had a more varied coloration, ranging from green with black spots to shades of yellow and red. This notable difference in sexual coloration made males particularly easy to identify during the mating season.
Size: The size of the golden toad was relatively small, with males measuring around 5 cm in length. Females were generally larger than males.
Skin: The skin of Incilius periglenes was smooth and shiny, without the prominent parotid glands found in many other toad species. This characteristic, along with its coloration, gave it a unique appearance among the amphibians of its region.
Habitat and Ecology
The Monteverde golden toad inhabited the cloud forests of the Tilarán Mountain Range, at elevations of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. This habitat is characterized by high humidity, moderate temperatures and dense vegetation.
Reproduction: Reproduction of Incilius periglenes occurred during the rainy season, when the toads congregated in small temporary pools to mate. The males would group together in these bodies of water and compete for females, using their calls to attract them. The females laid large quantities of eggs in the water, which were fertilized externally by the males.
Diet: Like other toads, Incilius periglenes was insectivorous. Their diet consisted mainly of insects and other small invertebrates that they found on the forest floor.
Decline and Extinction
The decline of the golden toad was rapid and drastic. Despite being abundant in the 1970s, the population began to decline rapidly in the mid-1980s. The causes of its extinction are not completely clear, but several factors are believed to have contributed to its disappearance:
Climate Change: Alterations in weather patterns may have affected the golden toad's habitat, making the moisture conditions necessary for its reproduction less frequent.
Diseases: Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been implicated in the decline of many amphibian populations around the world and may have played a role in the disappearance of Incilius periglenes.
Habitat Loss: Although less likely due to the protection of the area where it lived, any habitat degradation could have negatively affected the populations.
Importance and Legacy
The Monteverde golden toad has become a symbol of the global amphibian crisis and biodiversity loss. Their disappearance highlights the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation and study of endangered species. Despite its extinction, Incilius periglenes remains a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment and the fragility of many species in the face of environmental changes.
Approximate measurements of the Golden Toad:
- Full 1:1 Scale
- Length 50 mm
- Height 35 mm
- Width 37 mm
- Snout-cloaca 45 mm
