Shield toad  (Brachycephalus pernix)

Little is currently known about the biology of this species. It is active by day (2) (3), and is believed to reproduce by direct development, the eggs being laid amongst leaf litter and developing directly into miniature versions of the adult, passing through the tadpole stage within the egg (1) (2) (4) (5). Clutch size is unknown, as are the vocalisations of this species (2) (3). The reduced number of toes is thought to be related to the species’ distinctive habit of walking slowly over the forest floor; indeed, the Latin name, pernix, translates as “good walker” (2).