How does an alien amphibian expand its distribution in an hyper-arid environment?: African common toad (Sclerophrys regularis) in Qatar

摘要

Qatar is one of the few countries where there is no permanent natural surface freshwater source, and yet toads are known to occur, recently identified as the African common toad, Sclerophrys regularis. However, little information is available concerning the geographical distribution of toads in Qatar, as well as how they have expanded their distribution. We conducted the first-ever nationwide field survey of toads in Qatar. Toads were present in sites where water was supplied from outside sources by irrigation pipes and/or water transportation vehicles statistically significantly more frequently than in sites where water was provided exclusively from inside sources (wells). The distribution pattern of toads in Qatar may suggest that toads were initially introduced to eastern parts of the country, and have dispersed from there through water transportation networks.