Pelobatidae (see family information on Tree of Life site)
Spadefoot toads
The genus Pelobates occurs in western Eurasia and northwestern Africa, while Spea and Scaphiopus occur through North America (southern Canada down to southern Mexico). Members of this family are collectively known as the “spadefoot toads” due to the presence of a keratinized “spade” on each hind foot which aids in burrowing. Pelobatids inhabit arid habitats and are known as “explosive” breeders due to their seeming to explode out of the ground after the first heavy rain in order to mate. They produce tadpoles that develop rapidly in temporary ponds, even in desert regions. They have short legs and stocky bodies with vertical pupils. Morphological characters for this group are: 1) sacroccygial (sacrum and urostyle) joint fused; 2) frontoparietal exostosed (with bony growths) (mainly in Pelobates and Scaphiopus); 3) metatarsal spade supported by well ossified hallux; 4) palatines absent; 5) pectoral girdle arciferal with distinct sternum and omosternum; 6) astragalus and calcaneum fused only at the ends.
Scaphiopus couchii
Photo by David Wake
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Genus Pelobates (4 species)
Pelobates cultripes species account photos range maps no sounds Pelobates fuscus species account photos range maps no sounds Pelobates syriacus species account photos range maps no sounds Pelobates varaldii no species account no photos no range maps no sounds
Genus Scaphiopus (3 species)
Scaphiopus couchii species account photos range maps sounds Scaphiopus holbrookii species account photos range maps no sounds Scaphiopus hurterii species account photos range maps no sounds
Genus Spea (4 species)
Spea bombifrons species account photos range maps no sounds Spea hammondii species account photos no range maps no sounds Spea intermontana species account photos range maps sounds Spea multiplicata species account photos range maps sounds
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2008. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 2008).
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