Scutiger sikimmensis


Scutiger sikimmensis is a species of toad in the family Megophryidae. It is found in northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Many common names have been coined for this species: Sikkim lazy toad, Sikimmese pelobatid toad, Sikkim high altitude toad, Sikkim spade foot frog, Blyth's short-limbed frog, and Sikkim snow toad. It is very common in the high altitudes of Sikkimese Himalaya.

Description

Males measure and females in snout–vent length. The dorsum is olive green, brown, or greyish-brown with numerous warts and variable patterning. The underparts are yellowish, uniform and smooth. The head is wider than long; the tympanum is hidden. The parotoid gland are present. The fingers have no webbing whereas the toes have rudimentary webbing. Tadpoles are up to in length.

Habitat and conservation

Scutiger sikimmensis is an alpine toad living near streams, oxbow lakes, seepages, and stream-fed marshes as well as the surrounding forest and grassland habitats. Breeding takes place in streams in May–June or June–August; males call from under the rocks at night. The altitudinal range differs between sources; the lower limit is about and the upper limit above sea level.
The species is common in the Indian part of its range but rare in Tibet. Major threats are diversion of water from breeding streams for irrigation and water pollution from agrochemicals. However, it is not considered threatened overall.