For years, there had been no concrete evidence of the European green toad in the Grand Duchy. Following an initial sighting in April this year, it has now been confirmed that the animal was indeed a Bufotes viridis.
On 16 April, Alexander Kristiansen, a member of staff at the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF), spotted a European green toad in the park of the Domaine thermal in Mondorf-les-Bains. In order to identify the species, he photographed the toad and released it. Based on the distinctive pattern on its back, namely irregular green blotches on a pale background, the animal could be identified beyond doubt as Bufotes viridis. Its striking appearance sets it clearly apart from similar native species.
During another visit to Mondorf-les-Bains a few days later, a dead toad was found in a hole in the park, some 30 metres from the site of the first sighting. Comparison of the carcass with the earlier photographs confirmed that it was the same animal. Alexander Kristiansen and Laurent Schley, both members of the Luxembourg Naturalist Society, set out the details in their recent report.
Although the species has been mentioned within Luxembourg's borders in the past, no confirmed evidence had emerged until now. While the find is a notable one, it fits neatly with what is already known about the European green toad's range. The scattered populations in north-eastern France and western Germany are found in particular concentrations along the Moselle, so its detection in Luxembourg is no great surprise.
Even the fact that the species is spreading is also in line with the ecology of the Bufotes viridis, which is regarded as a pioneer species. It thrives in open, human-modified habitats and is capable of covering moderate distances.
Whether the toad only turns up sporadically in Luxembourg or has simply gone unnoticed until now remains to be seen. The carcass of the green toad is being held at the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History.
