Mallorcan midwife toad  (Alytes muletensis)

Biology

The Mallorcan midwife toad has an unusual breeding system. Intense competition for males occurs amongst females, who grapple with each other over mates (5). In common with other members of this unusual genus, males carry the developing eggs until the tadpoles hatch (5). Males carrying eggs are seen in May and June, with between 7 and 12 eggs wrapped around their ankles in strings (5). The first tadpoles hatch in May, measuring around 18 mm in length. Tadpoles metamorphose any time from late June to September and some may even over-winter as tadpoles and metamorphose the following summer (3). Males produce a high-pitched 'pi...pi...pi' call, which attracts females and may help to stimulate the maturation of eggs by the female (2); females also vocalise to advertise when they are receptive (5). Adults are generally active at night and they do not hibernate (5).

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