THE AMPHIBIA OF OKLAHOMA 



tendency toward the xeric pattern. (Figs. 2, 16, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 show typical 

 breeding sites.) 



2. Bufo terrestris americanus Holbrook. (American Toad) 



Ecologically restricted to woodland, savannah, and tall-grass prairie, 

 hence to the eastern half of the state. Breeding sites are (1) shallow and (2) 

 intermediate in temperature; otherwise, breeding largely unrestricted. Often 

 in very shallow, slow flowing streams as well as in very muddy ditches; may 

 occur in very little water or in edge of large lakes, but uncommon in swamps 

 and other exceptionally low regions. Breeding pattern, mesic. (Figs. 1, 14, 

 16, 17,28,29,30,31.) 



3. Bujo cognatHS Say (Great Plains Toad) 



Ecologically restricted to grasslands; especially abundant on higher areas 

 of mixed-grass prairie, rare in the tall-grass prairies, but abundant in lower 

 reaches in short-grass plains. Breeding sites are ( 1 ) shallow to intermediate, 

 (2) clear to semi-clear, (3) temporary, (4) of intermediate temperature. Very 

 common in buffalo wallows, flooded fields, ditches (if not deep or muddy); 

 unknown in streams in Oklahoma and very rare in sloughs on flood plains. 

 Uses playas in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. Tadpoles are occasion- 

 ally found in water which was roiled after eggs were produced. Breeding 

 pattern, xeric. (Figs. 10, 15, 18, 23, 26.) 



4. Bujo compactilis Wiegmann (Desert Toad) 



Ecologically restricted to short-grass plains, although rare even in this 

 community in northwestern Oklahoma. Elsewhere more abundant in the 

 higher regions of its habitat than in the lower where it is partly replaced by 

 Bujo cognatus (see above). Breeding sites almost exactly like those of B. 

 cognatus except (1) often in muddy pools (including the artificial pools 

 known locally as cattle tanks), and (2) more often in water of intermediate 

 depth. Breeding pattern xeric. (Figs. 24, 25, 26, 35.) 



5. Bujo insidior Girard (Northern Little Green Toad) 



Ecologically restricted to short-grass plains and to the ecotone between 

 this and the mixed prairie. Most numerous in the mesquite savannah of the 

 Southwest but not really abundant anywhere. Breeding sites seen are exactly 

 like those of B. compactilis (except unkown in cattle tanks); the two are com- 

 monly found breeding in other common sites. Breeding pattern xeric. (Figs. 

 8, 26.) 



6. Bujo punctatus Baird and Girard (Canyon Toad) 



Little known; rare in western and northwestern Oklahoma in short- 

 grass plains. Common in rocky regions, especially in Wichita Mountains. 

 Only sure breeding sites, rocky pools, clear, very shallow, in stream beds. 

 Juveniles taken twice near cattle tanks ( semi-clear, one deep, the other inter- 

 mediate, both semi-permanent). Breeding pattern unknown, but probably 

 xeric. (Fig. 9.) 



74 



