31 



Fig. 25. Palmar view of hand (left) and plantar view of feet (right) of Bufo pentoni (BM 1913.5.9.79). 



spines on the warts. Dorsum brown, usually pale. Venter 

 whitish. Dark spots usually evident on back of juveniles. 



Ecology 



They breed in temporary pools that form with the first 

 rains of summer. They aestivate for very long periods. 



Biology 



They reach sexual maturity at two years old, and can live 

 at least six years. During the first two years, growth is rapid 

 and later very slow. In the first months after metamorphosis, 

 individuals grow at a daily rate of 0.53 mm. The survival of 

 larvae and young is low and varies from one year to another. 

 The age structure is heterogeneous, probable due to the annual 

 variability in recruitment. 



Distribution 



South of the Sahara from Mauritania to Ethiopia and 

 Arabia. Also in the Sahara, at the Trarza region (Mauritania), 

 and Air mountains (Niger) . 



