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a genus of tailless amphibians (Salientia) of the family Discoglossidae. The back is brownish gray in color; there are well-defined black and red (or yellow) spots on the underside. The genus comprises four species: (1) the common fire-bellied toad (B. bombina), which is widely distributed in Europe and in the north as far as 58° N lat. and prefers the plains regions; (2) the B. variegata, which is found in Europe and in the east as far as Transcarpathia and Moldavia and prefers uplands; (3) the B. orientalis, which lives in the Far East, Korea, and North China; and (4) the B. maxima, which is found in the mountains of Yunnan (China). The body of the first three species measures up to 52 mm long and that of the fourth species, up to 68 mm long. The Bombina spends most of the day in water, emerging on land only at twilight. If it somehow is caught on land, it arches its legs over its back (unken reflex) showing the bright color of the underside (warning color). When irritated, the Bombina skin secretes a poisonous foamy substance.