Poyntonophrynus vertebralis (Smith, 1848)
Poyntonophrynus vertebralis is restricted to central South Africa, and proximate to the Botswana border, occurring mainly in the Nama Karoo ecoregion and in the . (Hogan. 2013) Apparently isolated populations are perhaps part of a contiguous range. It is likely to be found in southern Botswana. It is chiefly found below 1500 metres above mean sea level. It breeds in temporary shallow pans, freshwater pools or depressions containing rainwater, quarries, and rock pools along rivers. Ongoing threats are present from widespread destruction of habitat, the expanding human population and the degradation of surface waters in the Orange River watershed, which actions have been occurring over the last quarter of the twentieth century to present.
As of 2004 the IUCN has classified P. vertebralis as a species of Least Concern (Least Concern ver 3.1); (Minter et al. 2004) however, the criteria utilized did not explicitly recognize the widespread destruction of habitat, the expanding human population and the degradation of surface waters in the Orange River watershed which have been occurring over the last quarter of the twentieth century to 2013. (Hogan. 2013)
There are several protected areas within the species range. In the headwaters of the Orange River in Lesotho there is specifically the Sehlabathebe National Park. Near Kimberley, South Africa is the Mokala National Park, where it also is found. (Hogan. 2013)
In some places P. vertebralis is negatively impacted by maize farming, (Minter et al. 2004) In a larger sense the taxon is threatened by the rapidly expanding human population of the region, and the steady intensification of agriculture, which not only converts habitat to farming, but also extracts important surface waters from aquatic habitat. Furthermore, the use of herbicides and pesticides for crops poses additional threats. (Hogan. 2013)
This anuran is smallish with a narrow subconical head. The upper surface of the head, back, and the sides display an intermediate colour between ash grey and yellowish grey, the dorsum and sides variegated with wavy longitudinal streaks or irregular blotches of a colour intermediate between broccoli-brown and brownish red. The dark blotches are thinly sprinkled with small circular ash-grey spots, some of which are surrounded with a narrow liver-brown ring. The outer surface of the forelegs manifest pale yellow-grey, faintly barred with livid green; the outer and posterior surfaces of the hind legs the same colour as the back, and distinctly banded transversely with broccoli-brown. From the nose, a narrow blackish green line extends on each side of the head to theanterior extremity of the ocular shield.
Snout to vent length is approximately 1.25 inches. (Smith. 1848)
Poyntonophrynus vertebralis is restricted to central South Africa, and proximate to the Botswana border, occurring mainly in the Nama Karoo ecoregion; the species is additionally found in the Drakensberg alti-montane ecoregion and the Highveld grasslands of the middle reaches of the Orange River.. (Hogan. 2013) Apparently isolated populations are perhaps part of a contiguous range. It is likely to be found in southern Botswana. It is chiefly found below 1500 metres above mean sea level. (Minter et al. 2004)
According to the IUCN 2004 analysis, this terrestrial species lives in Nama Karoo shrubland, grassland, dry savannah and pastureland. It breeds in temporary shallow pans, freshwater pools or depressions containing rainwater, quarries, and rock pools along rivers. (Minter et al. 2004) However, more recent compilation of observations indicates that P. vertebralis is additionally found in the Drakensberg alti-montane ecoregion and the Highveld grasslands of the middle reaches of the Orange River. (Hogan. 2013)