Very little is known about the Chile Mountains false toad – only a few individuals have ever been seen, and it avoided detection for 100 years following its formal discovery in 1899. It is thought to breed in streams that run through temperate beech forests, where the eggs hatch into tadpoles that develop by feeding on algae growing on rocks. The main threats to this species in the wild are forest fires, pine and eucalyptus plantations, and its limited distribution.
The Chile Mountains false toad is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because its area of occupancy is less than 500 km sq., its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat on the western slopes of the Chilean Andes.
The false toads are a tiny and little-known genus, all members of which are endangered (Telmatobufo bullocki is Critically Endangered, Telmatobufo venustusisis Endangered, and Telmatobufo australis is Vulnerable). Their closest relative, the Vulnerable helmeted water toad, is a giant among amphibians, with females reaching lengths of over 300 mm. It feeds predominantly on other frogs and toads, although it is also capable of consuming small birds and mammals. Its huge tadpoles can grow to lengths of 15 cm and take about two years to metamorphose. The Calyptocephalellidae family is therefore a highly evolutionarily distinct, unusual and endangered group of amphibians.
Chile Mountains false toad is a moderate sized frog, growing to lengths of around 70 mm. The body is robust with long, slender limbs. The nostrils are on the sides of the snout and protrude. The eyes are large and protruding. There is no visible ear drum. The paratoid glands behind the eyes either side of the head appear as very prominent, large raised bumps that are oval in shape. The feet are webbed, whereas the digits of the had are free of webbing. The skin of the back has numerous prominent oval and round glands, whilst the skin of the stomach is smooth. This species has a beautiful colouration, with a coal-black background, an orange striped pattern across the back, and yellow spots along the sides. The ventral (or lower) surface is also a bright coal-black. Orange and reddish spots and markings appear across the head.
The Chile Mountains false toad is a very poorly known species. After its formal discovery in 1899, it was not seen again for 100 years! Its reproductive behaviour has not been observed, although it probably breeds in streams where its eggs hatch into tadpoles that develop by scraping algae from rock, as is the case for its close relative (also a top 100 EDGE Amphibian) Bullock’s false toad. It probably has a similar diet to this species also, feeding on ground-dwelling invertebrates. This species requires further study to elucidate its life history and behaviours.
It occurs under rocks along streams in temperate Nothofagus (southern beech) forest, and its tolerance to disturbance is unknown.
