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Amphibians of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AMPHIBIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

-Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

-True Toads (Family Bufonidae)

-Central American Toads (Genus Incilius)

-Marbled Toad (Incilius marmoreus)


Incilius marmoreus, commonly known as the Marbled Toad, is a species of toad found in parts of Mexico. It is notable for its striking marbled appearance and belongs to the family Bufonidae. The marbled toad is a medium-sized toad, typically growing between 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) in length. Females tend to be larger than males. Incilius marmoreus is native to the coastal regions of southern Mexico, particularly in tropical forests along the Pacific slopes. Like most toads, Incilius marmoreus is insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, and spiders.


The Marbled Toad (Incilius marmoreus) is only one of two species of Toads documented in the Zihuatanejo area. It is the only species of genus Incilius found in Zihua.

Marbled Toad
(Incilius marmoreus)

Diet

  • Primarily ants, termites, beetles, and other small terrestrial insects.

  • Also feeds on spiders and a variety of other ground-dwelling arthropods.

  • Forages at night by slowly walking across the forest floor and capturing prey with its sticky tongue.

  • Studies have shown that ants and termites make up a significant portion of its diet.

Range

  • Endemic to Mexico, occurring along the Pacific coastal plain from southern Sonora through Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and into Chiapas.

  • An isolated population also occurs in Veracruz on the Gulf coast.

  • Common in suitable habitat throughout the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical semi-deciduous forests, thorn forests, and woodland edges.

  • Also occurs in moderately disturbed forests and secondary growth where canopy cover remains.

  • Usually shelters beneath rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in burrows during the day.

  • Breeds during the rainy season in temporary pools, ponds, and slow-moving streams after heavy rainfall.

Size

  • Male: 55–75 mm (2.2–3.0 in)

  • Female: 75–105 mm (3.0–4.1 in)

  • Weight: 30–100 g, with females typically being substantially heavier than males.

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