Arizona Toad
Bufo (Anaxyrus) microscaphus
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- A. microscaphus – Washington Co, UT – photo by Gary Nafis
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Bufo (Anaxyrus) microscaphus occurs in central Arizona, western New Mexico, southeastern Nevada, southwestern Utah and possibly extreme eastern California.
LEGAL STATUS: Bufo (Anaxyrus) microscaphus is protected in Utah and in California where it is believed to be possibly extinct.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bufo (Anaxyrus) microscaphus (Cope – 1867)
Genus: Bufo, Latin = toad – toads have been known as bufo since ancient times
Genus 2: Anaxyrus – Greek = a chief, a leader
Species: microscaphus, Greek – mikros = small + skaphis = shovel — ref. tarsal spade
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962