Kingdom Animalia Subclass Lissamphibia Order Anura Scientific name Bombinatoridae Rank Family | Phylum Chordata Superorder Batrachia Suborder Archaeobatrachia Higher classification Archaeobatrachia | |
Mass European fire-bellied toad: 2 – 14 g Length Yellow-bellied toad: 3.5 – 5.5 cm, European fire-bellied toad: 2.6 – 6 cm Clutch size Yellow-bellied toad: 2 – 30, European fire-bellied toad: 10 – 40 Lower classifications Fire‑bellied toad, Bornean flat‑headed frog | ||
The Bombinatoridae are often referred to as fire-bellied toads because of their brightly colored ventral sides, which show they are highly toxic. This family includes two genera, Barbourula and Bombina, both of which have flattened bodies.
Bombina species are warty, aquatic toads about 7 cm (2.8 in) in length, and most noted for their bright bellies. They often display the unken reflex when disturbed; the animal will arch its back and limbs to expose the bright belly, and may turn over on its back. This acts as a warning to predators. The vocal behavior of some Bombina sp. is unusual in that the call is produced during inhalation rather than exhalation as in other frogs. They lay pigmented eggs in ponds.
Barbourula species occur in the Philippine Islands and Borneo, while Bombina species are found throughout Eurasia. They are slightly less colored than Bombina, and possess webbed fingers in addition to webbed toes. Characteristics of tadpoles of Barbourula are unknown.
Barbourula was considered to be situated intermediate between Discoglossus and Bombina, but closer to the latter, so was added to the Bombinatoridae when that family was split from the Discoglossidae.
Fossil Bombina specimens are known from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene; on fossils of Barbourula are known.
Species
Family Bombinatoridae