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conservation: Three New Live-Bearing Toads Discovered in Tanzania’s “Islands in the Sky”

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2 December 2025 
Special Feature By James Hamilton

Toads from the genus Nectophrynoides uhehe taken in Kihanga and Kiolela in Uzungwa Scarp N.F.R., Udzungwa Mountains CREDIT: Michele Menegon

​In the misty high forests of Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains, researchers have uncovered a remarkable trio of new amphibians: tree-dwelling toads unlike almost any others on Earth.

The newly described species, Nectophrynoides saliensis, Nectophrynoides uhehe and Nectophrynoides luhomeroensis, belong to a lineage already famous for bending the usual rules of toad biology. Thanks to modern genomic research, scientists are only now beginning to understand how unusual and vulnerable these animals truly are.
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A Family Full of Oddities
Most frogs and toads follow a familiar pattern. Eggs are laid in water, tadpoles hatch and develop, and only later do these tadpoles transform into adults. The Nectophrynoides toads have evolved a completely different approach. They skip the tadpole stage entirely and give birth to fully formed, tiny toadlets. This rare reproductive strategy, seen in fewer than 1 percent of amphibian species, allows them to reproduce far from streams or ponds. In the dense and often isolated forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains, this is a clever solution for life in a place where water sources can be scarce.

Solving a Century-Old Mystery
For many years, scientists believed all live-bearing toads in this genus were part of a single species, Nectophrynoides viviparus. It was first described in 1905. That assumption changed when researchers began studying museum specimens and applying modern genetic techniques.

The team extracted DNA from more than 250 preserved individuals, including some collected over a century ago. By combining this genetic information with detailed body measurements and comparisons of mating calls, they uncovered hidden diversity within the group. Their findings, published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology, confirm that at least three distinct species were previously overlooked.

The Eastern Arc: A Hotspot of Hidden Life
​The Eastern Arc Mountains stretch across Tanzania and into Kenya. This long chain of peaks is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Many of the mountains have been isolated for thousands of years, which allows unique species to evolve on individual peaks. As a result, the Eastern Arc is home to plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

Dr. Simon Loader, amphibian expert and co-author of the study, explains the importance of this discovery. “These discoveries underscore the diversity of live-bearing toads, as well as the importance of protecting East Africa’s forests,” he said. “If we lose these forests, we will lose one of the most unusual forms of amphibian reproduction known.”

Racing Against Deforestation
Although these toads have evolved impressive adaptations, their future is uncertain. The newly described species are restricted to small forest patches that are shrinking due to logging, agriculture and climate change. One species in the genus is already extinct in the wild, and another has not been seen since it was first discovered in 2003.

Accurately identifying species is essential for directing conservation efforts. Clear definitions help scientists and governments protect habitats before it is too late.
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Why This Discovery Matters
Each new species described from the Eastern Arc adds to our understanding of this remarkable region and how quickly it is changing. The discoveries are thrilling because they reveal life forms that were unknown to science. At the same time, they are a warning that the forests sheltering these species are disappearing faster than they can be studied.
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As researchers continue to explore these “islands in the sky,” it is very likely that more species remain undiscovered. Whether they will survive long enough to be found depends on the conservation measures taken today.

You can read the full report published in Vertebrate Zoology, here.

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