Mertensophryne nyikae (common name: Nyika dwarf toad) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Nyika Plateau of northern Malawi and adjacent northeastern Zambia.[1][2] Its natural habitats are montane forests and nearby wet, boggy grasslands at approximately 2,500 m (8,200 ft) asl. Breeding takes place in small, shallow pools. Although its range is mostly (possibly entirely) within relatively well managed protected areas, habitat loss remains a potential threat.[1]

Mertensophryne nyikae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Mertensophryne
Species:
M. nyikae
Binomial name
Mertensophryne nyikae
(Loveridge, 1953)
Synonyms

Bufo taitanus nyikae Loveridge, 1953
Bufo nyikae Loveridge, 1953

References edit

  1. ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Mertensophryne nyikae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T54717A16949450. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T54717A16949450.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2015). "Mertensophryne nyikae (Loveridge, 1953)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 18 December 2015.