In the grassy highlands of Mount Kenya, a remarkable discovery has unveiled a new species of toad that sheds light on the evolutionary history of amphibians in East Africa.
Remarkable Find
In September 2015, a team of experts from the National Museums of Kenya stumbled upon an unfamiliar frog on the eastern side of Mount Kenya. The small green toad appeared to differ from the species normally found in the region. According to museum curators Dr. Patrick Malonza and Dr. Victor Wasonga, the toad resembled a forest tree toad from Tanzania's rainforest called Churamiti maridadi.
The researchers have been looking for other species in the mist-shrouded Chogoria Forest Block, located 7,900 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level. The male specimen they caught was a Kenyan volcano toad (Kenyaphrynoides vulcani).
Based on its physical characteristics, it was suggested that the toad could be a climber. Its thumbs have sharp points called nuptial spines, which can be seen in many male frogs and toads, as they help the male grab onto a female and stimulate them into breeding. Its other distinct species include distinctive green and brown markings, a smaller size, and a more frog-like body.
The toad was compared to other species in the region to confirm if this was new. Its genetic and morphological differences from other toad species have led to its recognition at the genus level.
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New Insight on Amphibian Evolution
The discovery of the Kenyan volcano toad puzzled scientists due to its unique appearance and its unexpected presence in Kenya. This species may date back as far as 20 million years, which makes it significantly older than the volcanic formation of Mount Kenya itself. This contradicts the prevailing belief that most of the amphibian species in Kenya originated after volcanic activity subsided millions of years ago.
According to Natural History Museum principal curator Dr. Simon Loader, most of the mountains in Kenya are volcanic or geologically new, so finding an ancient lineage that has persisted for millions of years is mind-blowing. It puzzles the scientific community to figure out how it got there.
Loader further suggests that the toad might once have had a wider distribution. As the climate changed over tens of millions of years, it tracked the tropical rainforest as it moved until it reached Mount Kenya as its final destination.
The discovery of the Kenyan volcano toad challenges the "Kenyan Interval," which describes the contrast in amphibian diversity between Kenya and its neighboring countries. Ethiopia and Tanzania have long been biodiversity hotspots for amphibians, while they find it hard to thrive in Kenya due to its geological history and frequency of tectonic activity. The unique features of Kenyaphrynoides vulcani suggest that the Kenyan Interval may not be as straightforward as initially thought.
The discovery also raised questions regarding the possible existence of additional undiscovered amphibians in East Africa, emphasizing the need for further research and exploration.
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