Anaxyrus

Anaxyrus is a genus of amphibians in the true toad family, Bufonidae, comprising several North American toad species. The genus was separated from Bufo as part of a taxonomic revision based on morphological and genetic data, and is now widely recognized in major reference works.

Geographic range and habitat: Anaxyrus species are native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with some ranges extending into Central America. They occupy a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Members are typically medium-sized toads with dry, warty skin, often with visible parotoid glands behind the eyes.

Ecology and behavior: Anaxyrus toads are generally insectivorous and opportunistic predators. Breeding is usually triggered by seasonal rainfall and warmer temperatures; males vocalize to attract females in or near ponds, streams, or other still bodies of water. Eggs are laid in strings or clumps, forming gelatinous masses that hatch into tadpoles, which undergo metamorphosis over weeks to months.

Conservation: Conservation status varies by species. Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease such as chytridiomycosis threaten some populations, while others remain widespread and common. Well-known members include the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) and the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas).

Taxonomy and nomenclature: The genus name Anaxyrus is supported by contemporary herpetological references, including Amphibian Species of the World and AmphibiaWeb, and reflects the distinction between New World toads and their Old World relatives.