Chuanbei Toothed Toad vs Common Metad

Oreolalax chuanbeiensis compared with Millardia meltada

Key Differences

• Chuanbei Toothed Toad is Endangered while Common Metad is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Chuanbei Toothed Toad	Common Metad
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Amphibia (Amphibians)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Anura (Frogs & Toads)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Megophryidae	Muridae (Mice & Rats)
Genus	Oreolalax	Millardia
Species	Oreolalax chuanbeiensis	Millardia meltada

Evolutionary Relationship

Chuanbei Toothed Toad and Common Metad share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Chuanbei Toothed Toad

EN — Endangered

Common Metad

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Chuanbei Toothed Toad	Common Metad
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Chuanbei Toothed Toad

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Common Metad

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Chuanbei Toothed Toad

The Chuanbei Toothed Toad (Oreolalax chuanbeiensis) is an Endangered amphibian endemic to the mountains of northern Sichuan Province in southwestern China. It belongs to the family Megophryidae, a diverse group of litter frogs and toad-like amphibians that is particularly species-rich in the eastern Himalayan and southwestern Chinese highlands. The species name chuanbeiensis refers to northern Sichuan (Chuanbei), reflecting its highly restricted geographic range. Like other Oreolalax species, the Chuanbei Toothed Toad is associated with cold, fast-flowing mountain streams, where larvae develop in torrent conditions that require specialized morphological adaptations including oral suckers. Adults are terrestrial outside the breeding season, sheltering in leaf litter and rocky crevices in montane forest. The IUCN has assessed this species as Endangered due to its small known range, ongoing habitat degradation from logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development in mountain areas, and the impacts of chytridiomycosis (amphibian chytrid fungal disease) which threatens Asian megophryid frogs. Limited survey data mean that the species' full extent of occurrence and population size are poorly constrained.

Common Metad

The Common Metad (<em>Millardia meltada</em>) is a rodent belonging to the genus <em>Millardia</em> within the family Muridae. As a member of the Old World rats and mice, this species is typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems across its range. The Common Metad is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that its populations are currently stable and not facing immediate extinction risk. Detailed biological traits such as body length, weight, and lifespan have not been widely documented for this species in available records. Its taxonomy places it within the order Rodentia, which encompasses a broad array of gnawing mammals adapted to a wide variety of ecological niches. While specific dietary habits are not well characterized in the available data, members of the genus <em>Millardia</em> are generally understood to be omnivorous, feeding on plant material and invertebrates typical of their habitat. Ongoing monitoring is important for ensuring this species maintains its current conservation standing.