Nectophrynoides

amphibian genus

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The genus Nectophrynoides refers to a group of toads belonging to the family Bufonidae. These toads are notable for a unique reproductive strategy among amphibians: they give birth to live young, a phenomenon known as viviparity. This internal uterine development is similar in process to that of placental mammals.12

While most amphibians lay eggs that hatch into aquatic larvae, species within the Nectophrynoides genus bypass this larval stage, with the young developing internally and being born as fully formed froglets. This characteristic sets them apart within the order Anura, where direct development from egg to froglet, or live birth, has evolved independently in various amphibian groups.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

frog and toad
Annotated classification
…development, or live birth (Nectophrynoides only); worldwide, except the eastern part of the Indo-Australian archipelago, Polynesia, and Madagascar; Bufo marinus introduced into Australia and some Pacific islands; 27 genera, about 360 species; adult size 2 to about 25 cm (1 to 10 inches). Family Centrolenidae No fossil record; 8…
Read More
…development, or live birth (Nectophrynoides only); worldwide, except the eastern part of the Indo-Australian archipelago, Polynesia, and Madagascar; Bufo marinus introduced into Australia and some Pacific islands; 27 genera, about 360 species; adult size 2 to about 25 cm (1 to 10 inches). Family Centrolenidae No fossil record; 8…
Read More

frog and toad
Direct development from egg to froglet
…African bufonids of the genus Nectophrynoides undergo internal uterine development in a fashion that is apparently similar to that of placental mammals. By some unknown means, fertilization is internal, and the young are born alive. It is noteworthy that the evolution of live birth has taken place independently in all…
Read More
…African bufonids of the genus Nectophrynoides undergo internal uterine development in a fashion that is apparently similar to that of placental mammals. By some unknown means, fertilization is internal, and the young are born alive. It is noteworthy that the evolution of live birth has taken place independently in all…
Read More