Desert froglet
| Desert Froglet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Crinia deserticola Mount Molloy, Queensland | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Myobatrachidae |
| Genus: | Crinia |
| Species: | C. deserticola |
| Binomial name | |
| Crinia deserticola (Liem & Ingram, 1977) | |
 | |
| Distribution of the desert froglet | |
The Desert Froglet (Crinia deserticola) is a species of frog in the Myobatrachidae family, endemic to Australia. The species is not under any threat of extinction (IUCN Least Concern). Desert froglets occur mainly in dry or moist savanna habitats, from the mid-western border of Northern Territory, south-east into western Queensland and New South Wales and the north-east corner of South Australia.[2] They can also be found along the Queensland coast where it has been recorded often in Townsville and near Cooktown.
Taxonomy
The desert froglet is a member of the family Myobatrachidae. However debate exists about its scientific and common names. For instance, because comparative phylogeny studies of Crinia species are not comprehensive, there is debate over the taxonomic accuracy of its species groupings.[4] One exception is the synonymisation of the genus Ranidella with Crinia[5] based on morphological data and serum albumin similarities with R.signifera and C.signifera.[6] In addition, although the term 'froglet' may be seem suited as a general descriptor of smaller species, further taxonomic research of Crinia species, such as the desert froglet, is needed to clarify the relevancy of this term.[7]
Description
The desert froglet is a ground dwelling frog with skin colour, texture and pattern variation common to other Crinia species.[8] However, generally the adult belly is granular (not blotchy pink like the Tasmanian froglet); the male belly is uniformly white or grey in colour, and possibly flecked grey; the female belly is either white, speckled or boldly blotched with black or grey.[6][8][9]
The throat of adults lack a median white line, unlike the Wallum froglet; with those of breeding males white or grey and the chin completely dark. Spots are either inconspicuous or absent on the chest of both genders.[6]
Also, adults have distinct dermal fringes on their toes and the hind side of their thighs lack the pink or red coloration of the Quacking Frog.[6] The tympanum is obscure but not hidden unlike the Remote froglet.[6] The length of the adult snout-vent is usually less than 18mm, which is shorter than the Eastern sign-bearing froglet, and is a pale brown colour or slightly patterned.[6]
Additional diagnostic descriptors include: bluntly rounded snout, evenly rounded canthus rostralis, outwardly sloping loreal region, bluntly pointed head (dorsal view), lacks supratympanic fold, elongated tongue, lacks vomerine teeth, toothed upper jaw, vocal sac with slit-like openings on the floor of the mouth.[9]
Blunt distal segment of fingers, not expanded, roundish sub-articular tubercles (one on 1st and 2nd fingers; 2 on 3rd and 4th fingers), supernumerary tubercles present on palm, 2 metacarpal tubercles present, no webbing, lacks nuptial pad, subcutaneous glands present on base of 1st finger.[9]
Robust hind limbs, blunt digital segment of toes, toes have broad fringes, rounded metatarsal tubercles, lacks supernumerary tubercles,[9] indicating the desert froglet does not burrow.
Males mature at about 13.0-18.0 cm in length whereas females grow slightly larger to 13.0-18.0 cm.[8]
Distribution and habitat
The species is found in arid regions. It is often associated with static temporary or permanent water bodies where it shelters under leaves. It has also been found in artificial habitats, like farm dams, and sheltering under corrugated iron and timber piles. It is commonly found in areas of black soil.[8]
Extends obliquely across the continent from the Kimberley region to the north-west of New South Wales and much of Queensland.[8]
Found in arid regions. It is often associated with static temporary or permanent water bodies where it shelters under leaves. Has also been found in artificial habitats, like dams, and sheltering under corrugated iron and timber piles. Commonly found in areas of black soil. Spawn clumps are attached to submerged vegetation in pools or swamps.[2]
Reproduction
Advertisement call
The desert froglet is recognised by the 'melodious chirping' call of the adult male which sounds similar to a House Sparrow.[8][9] Calling males either hide under vegetation or exposed at water edges, with each call consisting of a repeating pattern: two pulses of 60 milliseconds each and 4000 hertz which is immediately followed by two additional double pulses of decreasing energy and quickening rate, and a brief pause.[9]
The desert froglet call is distinct from the shorter creaking call of Sloane's froglet, stretched out call of the Eastern sign-bearing froglet, lower pitch of the Wallum froglet, and grating sounds of the Common eastern froglet.[9]
Life history
Small eggs are laid in clumps within water and attached to submerged vegetation. Eggs are black at the animal pole and cream at the vegetal.[9]
Tadpole appearance is the same as the Eastern sign-bearing froglet and Common eastern froglet, dark brown in colour, a dextral anal opening, sinistral spiracle, blunt tail, labial papillar row interrupted on anterior and posterior portions, and labial tooth row I, 1/1, II.[9]
References
- ↑ Hero, J., Horner, P. & Retallick, R. (2004). "Crinia deserticola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- 1 2 Barker, J.; Grigg, G.; Tyler, M. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Edition 2. Chipping Norton (Australia): Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 0949324612.
- ↑ Tyler, Michael (2000). Australian frogs: a natural history. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W: New Holland. p. 90. ISBN 1876334207.
- ↑ Read, K; Keogh, J.; Scott, I.; Roberts, J.; Doughty, P. (2001). "Molecular phylogeny of the Australian frog genera Crinia, Geocrinia, and allied taxa (Anura: Myobatrachidae)". Molecular phylogenetics and evolution. 21(2): 294–308. ISSN 1055-7903.
- ↑ Heyer, W.; Daugherty, C.; Maxson, L. (1982). "Systematic resolution of the genera of the Crinia complex (Amphibia: Anura: Myobatrachidae)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 95: 423–427. ISSN 0006-324X.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cogger, H (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Sixth Edition. New Holland, N.S.W.: New Holland. ISBN 1876334339.
- ↑ Reynolds, S. (2007). "Some common names for top end frogs". Northern Territory Naturalist 19: 60–68. ISSN 0155-4093.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tyler, M; Knight, F. (2009). Field guide to the frogs of Australia. Collingwood (Australia): CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9780643092440..
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Liem, D.; Ingram, G (1977). "Two new species of frogs (Anura: Myobatrachidae, Pelodryadidae) from Queensland and New South Wales". Victorian Naturalist. 94(6): 255–62. ISSN 0042-5184.