Xiangcheng Toothed Toad

The male is 49 mm long. The female is 57 mm long. This species has vertical pupils. No tympanum is visible. The upper maxillary teeth are relatively developed. The dorsum is full of thin and small spiny tubercles. Hind legs are short, with the tibiotarsal articulation extending only to the corner of the mouth. Toes are usually completely webbed, and outside of breeding season, the grooves are relatively deep. The dorsal surface is olive palm or palm brown, and completely lacks a dark piebald marking. The ventrum is light in color. The male has nuptial spines on the dorsal surfaces of the first and second finger and a pair of large, closely spaced, spiny clusters on the chest. Spines are thin and densely clustered. Tadpoles are 60 mm in body length and 22 mm in head length. They are grayish brown or grayish palm. At the junction of the body and the tail there is a palm red “U” mark. The labial tooth row formula is I: 4-4/I:4-4. The center of the upper lip lacks three papillae. A few additional papillae are present at the corners of the mouth (Fei 1999).

O. xiangchengensis occurs between 2,010 to 3,300 meters above sea level in southwestern Sichuan and northwestern Yunnan provinces (IUCN 2006)[3767]. It lives near mountain streamsides or the rocky shores of springs and surrounding areas (Fei 1999).

In the morning, these toads hide under or between the large rocks by the streamside. At night, they will squat on the rocks by the water. Some will only expose their heads. Once disturbed, they quickly escape into the water. Individual egg diameter is 3.8 mm. The animal pole is extremely palm brown in color. Tadpoles are commonly found in backwater pools by the streams, especially in shallow areas where water grasses grow (Fei 1999).

It has a large, stable population with no current threats (IUCN 2006)[3767].

Oreolalax xiangchengensis (Xiangcheng lazy toad or Xiangcheng toothed toad) is a species of amphibian in the family Megophryidae. It is endemic to China where it can be found in western Sichuan and in the Hengduan Mountains in northern Yunnan. Its range includes Baimaxueshan, Habaxueshan, Panzhihua-Sutie, and Yading Nature Reserves.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, and freshwater springs. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Male Oreolalax xiangchengensis grow to about 49 mm (1.9 in) in snout-vent length and females to about 57 mm (2.2 in). Tadpoles are 60 mm (2.4 in) in length.