New findings of the Caucasian toad (Bufo verrucosissimus, Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the Kuma River basin (North Caucasus, Russia)

Abstract

The paper discusses the distribution of Bufo verrucosissimus in the North Caucasus. It is noted that the absolute majority of findings of this species in Russia have occurred in the Black Sea basin. All currently known habitats of B. verrucosissimus in the Caspian basin are located in the upper part of the Kuma River basin (the vicinity of Kislovodsk town and Borgustanskaya village in the Stavropol region). New points of findings are shown between the mouths of the Ugol’naya and Kladbishchenskaya Balka rivers (left tributaries of the Kuma River), as well as near Bekeshevskoye Lake (Predgorniy district, Stavropol region). The authors believe that B. verrucosissimus may be distributed along the gallery forests of the Kuma River up to Georgievsk town and Soldato-Alexandrovskoye village.