The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recorded a new scientific achievement, after a team of environmental experts and specialists succeeded in documenting a rare and unprecedented phenomenon in the amphibian world, which involved the observation of what is known as 'reverse self-predation' in the Arabian toad, a behavior that contradicts known biological patterns.

This discovery came during an environmental field survey within the reserve's scope, where small tadpoles in their early growth stages were observed attacking a larger and more advanced individual in the metamorphosis stage. This documentation is the first of its kind for this behavior in the natural environment, both at the level of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally, according to the study published in the international peer-reviewed journal Herpetology Notes.

Self-predation in amphibians is usually known for larger individuals dominating smaller ones, but what was recorded represents a complete reversal of this pattern; as the smaller individuals turned into predators, which opens new horizons for understanding the dynamics of feeding behavior within the same species.

The Arabian toad is an endemic species in the Arabian Peninsula, characterized by its ability to adapt to mountainous and semi-arid environments, provided water sources are available. Despite its use in some laboratory studies, documentation of its behavior in its natural environment remains limited, giving this discovery double scientific value.

This achievement comes within the context of the reserve's ongoing efforts to monitor wildlife and study environmental changes within its vast area exceeding 130,000 square kilometers, where research teams pay special attention to amphibians due to their vital role in the balance of ecosystems.

This scientific work reflects the growing role of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve as a leading center in biodiversity, and its active contribution to supporting scientific knowledge and enhancing the Kingdom's position in environmental research internationally.