Tuesday, June 19, 2012

[Herpetology • 2012] Back from the dead: The world’s rarest toad Adenomus kandianus Günther (1872) | Kandyan Dwarf Toad | rediscovered in Sri Lanka



The Kandyan Dwarf Toad | Adenomus kandianus Günther (1872) |
hadn't been seen for over a century until researchers stumbled on it in 2009. 
Photo courtesy of: L.J. Mendis Wickramasinghe

Abstract
Adenomus kandianus Günther (1872) was previously known only from two specimens both deposited in the British Museum, the holotype BMNH1947.2.20.63, and the syntype of A. kelaarti BMNH1947.2.20.62. The only record of A. kandianus since the initial description in 1872 was by Ferguson in 1876, who mentions two specimens resembling Bufo kandianus in his collection, making A. kandianus the world’s rarest toad. The species had not been reported since, and was considered extinct. Here we report on its rediscovery.

Key words: Adenomus, extinct amphibian, rediscover, Peak Wilderness, Sri Lanka

  

Back from the dead: The world’s rarest toad Adenomus kandianus rediscovered in Sri Lanka

Rediscovery of "Adenomus kandianus" ;an extict amphibian from Sri Lanka: http://www.ybasrilanka.org/2010/01/rediscovery-of-adenomus-kandianus.html