Suman Pratihar

Increased Serum Magnesium and Calcium and their Regulation During Hibernation in the Indian Common Toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

ABSTRACT. In the present study we investigate the changes in the level of serum magnesium and calcium ions, and their possible mode of regulation during progression of hibernation of the anuran, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, the Indian Common toad. Though these ions have a profound effect on the thermoregulatory center in the brain of even poikilothermic vertebrates like the Indian Common toad, not much information is available about the system. We attempt to expose the role of these ions in this system. In this animal, serum magnesium and calcium levels are known to be significantly low during the entry phase as well as during the awakening phase from the hibernation period as compared to the deepest phase. We tried to correlate the role of serum magnesium and calcium ions during different phases of this poikilothermic animal.

Global distribution of Genus duttaphrynus

29 Duttaphrynus species are reported from all over the world. This genus was previously assigned to Bufo melanostictus group. Frost et al. suggested that Duttaphrynus is only distantly related to other Asiatic bufonids and consequently moved these species in 2006 to a separate genus. Duttaphrynus is a genus of true toads. It is endemic to southwestern and southern China and throughout southern Asia. Out of them, 19 species are reported only from India. Duttaphrynus melanostictus is the most widely distributed species. This melanostictus group is distinguished by presence of orbital cranial ridge, vocal sac when present having surrounding muscles with melanophore.