Spea 4972198 194809228 2008-02-29T02:26:07Z Eubot 231599 Removed taxobox colour. See [[User:Eubot/Removing colours from taxoboxen]]. {{Taxobox | name = Western Spadefoot Toad | image = Spea hammondii 1.jpg | image_size = 240px | image_caption = Western Spadefoot Toad, ''Spea hammondii'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Amphibia]] | ordo = [[Anura]] | subordo = [[Mesobatrachia]] | familia = [[Scaphiopodidae]] | genus = '''''Spea''''' | genus_authority = [[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1866]] }} '''''Spea''''' is a [[genus]] of [[North America]]n [[amphibian]] commonly referred to as the '''western spadefoot toad'''. They differ greatly from true [[toad]]s (those of the family [[Bufonidae]]) by having [[eye]]s with vertical [[pupil]]s, no [[parotid gland]], and relatively smooth [[skin]]. Their most distinctive feature is a spade-like projection on their hind feet, which their common name is derived from. This projection enables spadefoot toads to dig in loose soils with ease. == Species == ''Spea'' species were once classified with their [[Europe]]an cousins in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Pelobatidae]], but have since been reclassified to their own family, [[Scaphiopodidae]] with other North American species. There are four [[species]] in the genus ''Spea'': *Plains Spadefoot Toad, ''[[Spea bombifrons]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1863]]) *Western Spadefoot Toad, ''[[Spea hammondii]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]], [[1859]]) *Great Basin Spadefoot Toad, ''[[Spea intermontana]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1863]]) *Mexican Spadefoot Toad, ''[[Spea multiplicata]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], [[1863]]) Eats Mostly insects == Related species == *Genus ''[[Scaphiopus]]'': *Couch's Spadefoot, ''[[Scaphiopus couchii]]'' ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]], [[1854]]) *Eastern Spadefoot, ''[[Scaphiopus holbrookii]]'' ([[Richard Harlan|Harlan]], [[1835]]) *Hurter's Spadefoot, ''[[Scaphiopus hurterii]]'' ([[Strecker]], [[1910]]) == References == *{{ITIS|ID=206988|taxon=Spea|year=2006|date=1 May}} [[Category:Toads]] [[fr:Spea]] [[nl:Spea]] {{amphibian-stub}}