Kotagama's toad (Duttaphrynus kotagamai)

Parietal ridges and parotid glands are not much visible in a juvenile

English: Kotagama's toad
Binomial: Duttaphrynus kotagamai/Bufo kotagamai
Sinhala: කොටගමගේ ගෙම්බා[Kotagamage gemba]

Kotagama's toad is an endemic species of frogs found in Sri Lanka. It is nocturnal and lives in covered forests where there is a good canopy layer. Species name of the frog, ‘Kotagamai’ is a patronym honouring Prof. Sarath Kotagama.

Adults of this species can be easily distinguished from other members of Bufonidae family found in Sri Lanka by the prominent inwardly-curved parietal ridges of the head. In a research done by Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando and others (Fernando & Dayawansa, 1994) it is mentioned that the species can be observed on rocky margins of streams, sand banks, vicinity of streams and in the leaf litter of the forest. In the research paper they have mentioned that Sinharaja, Kithulgala and Massana rain forest for distributed locations.

Above photographed ones were also observed in the leaf litter at the Makandawa rain forest, Kithulgala in March and December of 2015. We did not observe any streams very close to the observed location and believed that they have moved to that location from a nearby stream after the metamorphosis. In the IUCN Red List it is in the category of ‘Endangerd’. Habitat loss and human disturbances are said to be the major threat for the existence of this species.

Referances:

• Bufo kotagamai, a new toad (Bufonidae) from Sri Lanka P Fernando, N Dayawansa, M SIRIWARDENA Journal of South Asian natural History 1 (1), 119-124
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) 2015-4 - http://www.iucnredlist.org
• Manamendra-Arachchi, K. & R. Pethiyagoda (2006): Sri Lankan amphibians [in Sinhala]. – WHT Publications, Colombo.

Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)

English: Asian common toad
Binomial Name: Duttaphrynus melanostictus/Bufo melanostictus
Sinhala: ගෙයි ගෙම්බා [Gei gemba]

Considered as the commonest frog of Sri Lanka. It can be seen close to human habitats and difficult to find in the wild. This species has been widely distributed in other Asian countries and it is categorized as "Least Concern" in IUCN Red List. It has prominent, kidney-shaped parotoid glands that secrete toxins which used to deter predators.

Kelaart's dwarf toad (Adenomus kelaartii)

English: Kelaart's dwarf toad/Kellaarti's pygmy frog/Kelaart's toad
Binomial Name: Adenomus kelaartii/Bufo kelaartii/Adenomus badioflavus
Sinhala: කෙලාර්ට්ගේ කුරු ගෙම්බා[Kelaartge kuru gemba]

Kelaart's dwarf toad is an endemic species of frog lives in wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is semi arboreal and can be found in south-west of the island. Body is covered with tiny warts. It is considered as an endangered species in IUCN red list due to Habitat modification from deforestation, Logging related activities, Habitat fragmentation, Local pesticides, fertilizers and pollutants.