An Asian common toad in Madagascar Fulvio Licata
Fears about the impact of invasive, poisonous toads in Madagascar appear to be justified, suggests new research. The amphibians are driving a spike in deaths of a native snake species.
Asian common toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are native to southern Asia, but were introduced to eastern Madagascar around 2010, probably as stowaways on a ship. Since then, the toads have been spreading from the point of arrival by about 2.5 kilometres per year, prompting anxiety among researchers that they could threaten Madagascar’s native wildlife just …