Abstract
The background colouration of the spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus, an anuran species found in Europe is typically light grey/yellow grey/light olive-green. However, an atypical specimen, whose background was brightly coloured yellowish green (light green/lime/yellow coloured), with darker small spots distributed through dorsal parts and four main spots slightly shaped was observed in Poland (Great Poland, Mościejewo village), near to two ponds. The ecological effects of green coloured individual can be adaptively important, through its similarity to the vegetation (predator avoidance).
Highlights
Amphibians’ colouration provides aposematic or cryptic skin patterns which protect them from visual predators and inform another conspecifics about the condition, sex and maturity of a given individual (Vitt & Caldwel 2014)
Every species in the amphibians group has certain and constant patterns of colouration which can be a useful tool for individual recognition (Plăiaşu et al 2005)
Colouration in amphibians can vary over quite a wide range compared, for example, to birds or mammals
Summary
Amphibians’ colouration provides aposematic or cryptic skin patterns which protect them from visual predators and inform another conspecifics about the condition, sex and maturity of a given individual (Vitt & Caldwel 2014). Every species in the amphibians group has certain and constant patterns of colouration which can be a useful tool for individual recognition (Plăiaşu et al 2005). Amphibians can switch coloration between pale and dark depending on stress or life stage (Bagnara & Hadley 1973).
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