The Sambava tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti) is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. Members of this family are commonly known as narrow-mouthed frogs.
Male Sambava tomato frogs are yellowish, while females are red-orange often with many small reticulations. Some of these frogs have an Odontoma which are tumors from a tooth that also contain tissue. These cause bad tooth eruption and displacement of erupted teeth. Females of this species are much larger than males.
Sambava tomato frigs can be found only in Madagascar. They live in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and heavily degraded former forests. They can also live near or in urban areas.
These are solitary frogs. They spend most of their time on the ground and are very poor swimmers but may sometimes hunt in water. They are known to be very vocal and are usually heard at night when they claim their territory or attract potential mates. Sambava tomato frogs are ambush predators and hunt their prey by waiting still for an insect or beetle to pass by; they capture their prey using their tongues and mouth. Their bright coloration acts as a warning to potential predators that these frogs are toxic; a white substance secreted from their skin acts as a glue to deter predators (such as colubrid snakes) and can produce an allergic reaction in humans.
Sambava tomato frogs are carnivores (insectivores) and feed mainly on a wide variety of small invertebrates and arthropods.
Sambava tomato frogs are polygynandrous (promiscuous) which means that both the males and the females of this species have multiple partners. Their breeding season can take place throughout the year. Females lay several hundred small eggs on the surface of the water. These eggs will hatch about 36 hours later. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into juveniles and will become reproductively mature between 2 and 4 years of age.
Sambava tomato frogs are not considered threatened at present but they suffer from the loss of their native habitat.
According to IUCN Red List, the Sambava tomato frog is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
