Classification of Bombinator : Fire Bellied Toad
- Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
- Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
- Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
- Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
- Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
- Class :- Amphibia (Cold blooded. Scaleless glandular skin. Can live in water and land. Two occipital condyles, Heart three chambered)
- Order :- Anura or Salientia (Scaleless Amphibia. Tail, external gills and gill-silts absent. Both hind limbs and forelimbs well developed.)
- Suborder :- Opisthocoela (Vertebrae opisthocoelous, ribs free.)
- Family :- Discoglossidae (Tongue and eyelids present. Adults with ribs..)
- Genus :- Bombinator
Geographical distribution of Bombinator : Fire Bellied Toad
Bombinator is found in Europe, Eurasia and China. Miocene.
Habit and habitat of Bombinator : Fire Bellied Toad
Bombinator lives in standing water with hygrophytic vegetation
General Characteristics of Bombinator : Fire Bellied Toad
- Commonly known as fire-bellied toad.
- Body measures about 5 cm and divided into head and trunk.
- Head contains eyes and nostril.
- Dorsal surface is black or grey, while ventral surface is bluish black with irregular red or orange patches.
- Forelimbs and hind limbs are well developed. Hind limbs are enlarged for leaping. Webbed toes.
- Tongue and eyelids present.
- Tympanic membranes and vocal sacs are absent. Eustachian tube is small.
- Vertebrae opisthocoelous. Adults have ribs.
- Egg deposition and fertilization external by ‘clasped’ male and female. Larva is a tadpole.
Special features
- Bombinator ignem is common fire-bellied toad. The abdomen and entire ventral surface is brilliantly coloured with bluish-black and irregular red or orange patches. Dorsal surface grey or olive-black. When disturbed, it exposes its belly against the enemies. The shaking water gives a flame-like appearance and hence called as fire bellied toad. When the toad is disturbed on land, head is thrown back, limbs turned upwards, belly is exposed with coloured patches and teeth produce hissing sound
Identification
Since this Anura contains coloured patches on abdomen and above features, hence it is Bombinator.
