Santa Marta harlequin toad: Male clings to feminine for five months ready for probability to mate

A monitoring examine suggests males of 1 species of toad are ready to go with out meals for a number of months for a possibility to breed

By Luke Taylor

A species of endangered toad endemic to Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains is clinging on for pricey life. The tiny Santa Marta harlequin toad (Atelopus laetissimus), which is simply 4 centimetres lengthy, can cling to the again of a feminine for 5 months with out feeding till the pair are able to mate.

The greedy behaviour, which is named “amplexus”, is seen in lots of different animal species – however hardly ever continues for such an extended time period, says …