''Bufotes surdus'', also known as Iranian earless toad, Iranian toad, Pakistan toad, or Luristan toad (not to be confused with Lorestan toad), is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is found in southern Iran and western Pakistan. There is also an isolated record from eastern Iraq.

Appearance and subspecies

''Bufotes surdus'' is a medium-small toad with a snout–to– vent length of about in adults. Unlike most species of '' Bufotes'' but similar to its close relative '' B. luristanicus'', it has no visible tympanum (either absent or tiny and covered by the skin), hence the common name "earless toad". It is typically quite dull and plain-coloured, but it may have some inconspicuous greenish markings, especially to the limbs, and occasionally a larger amount of small greenish ring-shaped spots. Two

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

are recognized, but their separation is questionable (''annulatus'' was described based on features that often are individually variable in toads) and require further study. Common name ring-spotted earless toad can be used to specifically refer to ''Bufotes surdus annulatus''.

Habitat and conservation

''Bufotes surdus'' inhabits oases and pools in irrigated areas and their surroundings at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

. Breeding takes place during the monsoons when males gather in temporal pools. The eggs are deposited around vegetation in ponds. During the dry season these animals seek damp areas under stones and within vegetation. It can be a locally common species, but its ecology is little known and it has sometimes been confused with juveniles of other '' Bufotes'' species. It is threatened by intensification of agriculture, including agricultural pollution. Extended periods of drought can cause local population declines. Some populations occur within protected areas.

References

surdus Amphibians of Iran Amphibians of Iraq Amphibians of Pakistan Amphibians described in 1891 Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Bufonidae-stub