Poyntonophrynus, also known as pygmy toads, are a genus consisting of ten true toad species native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Originally, all Poyntonophrynus species were included in the genus Bufo. The genus was split due to large enough taxonomic divergence. The genus is named in honour of John C. Poynton, South African herpetologist, with phrynus being Greek for toad. Poyntonophrynus are small toads with parotoid glands and they lack tarsal folds.