Abstract
We surveyed 80 wetland sites throughout central Saudi Arabia, a large area that has been poorly documented for amphibians. We found toads and frogs in 30 of the 80 sites, including new records for amphibians in central Saudi Arabia. We found Duttaphrynus dhufarensis to have a wider distribution than D. arabicus and Pelophylax ridibundus. Four habitat types in the study area were apparent: seasonal ponds formed after rain, dam reservoir, ponds formed by treated sewage water, and irrigated palm farms. Two toads, D. dhufarensis and D. arabicus, occurred primarily in irrigated palm farms and dam reservoirs. During the dry season individuals of these species hide under rocks and wood. The frog, P. ridibundus, occurred in irrigated palm farms and treated sewage water ponds outside cities. The distribution of these species appears to have expanded in recent decades due to increased agricultural development and habitats resulting from sewage treatment facilities.