Family Pyxicephalidae

Tomopterna krugerensis Passmore and Carruthers, 1975

Knocking Sand Frog, Sandveld Pyxie, Sandveld Sandpadda (A)

By A. Channing

Currently accepted name: Tomopterna krugerensis
Red listing status: Least Concern (IUCN 2013)

Photo by Wilkinson J H, 2012. URL: FrogMAP: 567

Distribution

T. krugerensis is distributed in a broad band across southern Africa, from northeastern South Africa and southern Mozambique, through southern Zimbabwe and Botswana to Namibia and southern Angola. Its distribution in the atlas region is rather patchy, especially in Limpopo and North West provinces. This may be due to the fact that only distribution records based on advertisement calls have been included in the map. It is almost indistinguishable, morphologically, from T. cryptotis and T. tandyi, but has an easily recognizable call. The distribution records are therefore reliable in terms of the present taxonomic status and diagnosis of this species. The southernmost record is from Hluhluwe (2832AB) in KwaZulu-Natal.

Habitat

T. krugerensis inhabits the Savanna Biome at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m, in areas with annual rainfall of 500–>1000 mm. It seems to prefer sandy soils and breeds in temporary water bodies such as large and small pans, vleis, and floodplains.

Life history

Breeding begins after the first rains and continues into midsummer. Males call from the open or from partially concealed positions at the water’s edge. Approximately 5000 eggs are laid singly in shallow water (Passmore and Carruthers 1975). The tadpoles and details of development are unknown.

Conservation

T. krugerensis is widespread and does not require conservation measures.

Current distribution map

Undated records;  pre-1996;  1996 to 2002;  2003 to present