Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Amphibia
Subclassis: Lissamphibia
Ordo: Anura
Familia: Alytidae
Genus: Alytes
Species: Alytes muletensis
Name
Alytes muletensis (Sanchíz & Adrover, 1979)
Type locality: "Cueva Muleta, sector X, nivel 200-300 cm", Mallorca, Spain.
Holotype: "Museo Arqueologica de Deya (Mallorca) (MAD)".
Synonyms
Baleaphryne muletensis Sanchíz & Adrover, 1979
Baleaphryne talaioticus Sanchíz & Alcover, 1982
Alytes muletensis — Clarke, 1984
Alytes (Baleaphryne) muletensis — Dubois, 1987
Alytes (Alytes) muletensis — García-París, Montori & Alonso-Zarazaga, 2004
References
Sanchíz and Adrover, 1979, Doñana, Acta Vert., 4: 6.
García-París, Monton, and Alonso-Zarazaga, 2004, in García-París et al. (eds.), Fauna Iberica, 24: 594.
Frost, D.R. 2021. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.1. Electronic Database accessible at https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/index.php. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. DOI: 10.5531/db.vz.0001 Alytes muletensis . Accessed on 13 July 2008.
2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species IUCN: Alytes muletensis (Vulnerable) Downloaded on 13 July 2008.
Vernacular names
català: Ferreret
English: Majorcan Midwife Toad
español: Sapillo balear
Nederlands: Balearenpad
The Majorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis) (also Mallorcan midwife toad or ferreret in Balearic Catalan and Spanish) is a frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is endemic to the Balearic Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea. An example of Lazarus taxon, the species was first described from fossil remains in 1977, but living animals were discovered in 1979.
The species, considered "vulnerable" by the IUCN, is currently restricted to isolated mountain rivers in the island's Serra de Tramuntana and has an estimated population of 500 breeding pairs in the wild. It does exist and reproduce easily in captivity, however.[citation needed] The Majorcan midwife toad is thought to have disappeared from most of the island as a result of the introduction of competitors and predators from the mainland in ancient times.[who?] Reintroduction of the species in additional areas has taken place since 1988, with many new breeding populations now well established.
Characteristics
Like all midwife toads, the male of the species always carries the developing eggs during the months of May and June. Generally the head and legs are large in comparison to the rest of the body. Unusually, the female of the species competes for the male, even grappling against other individuals in order to secure a mate. Both male and female frogs use a series of noises in order to attract a mate during courtship. Comparatively the female is larger than the male (Male: 34.7 mm, Female: 38 mm).
Distribution
The species is endemic to Majorca, and is found only in the mountainous regions and gorges of the Serra de Tramuntana. In this area, the species inhabits streams in limestone caverns, where they hide under boulders and stones.
Status
The Majorcan midwife toad was first discovered in 1977 and was described as Baleaphryne muletensis. Only later the toad was accounted as a midwife toad. This was due to the fact that the species was thought extinct and was described from the fossil record. Later the species was 'rediscovered' in 1979 when froglets and young frogs were discovered. Currently the species is protected as a Majorcan endemic species, and breeding programs have been started to prevent the extinction of this species. The number of wild animals is estimated at around 300 to 700 breeding pairs. It was previously housed and bred at the Durrell Wildlife Park, with the goal of releasing into the wild, which was successful.[2]
References
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Alytes muletensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T977A89697685. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T977A89697685.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
Durrell.org. "Durrell Wildlife hosts international planning meeting for Mallorcan midwife toad | Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust". www.durrell.org. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
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