List of amphibians of New Zealand

Hochstetter's frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri).

All of the amphibians of New Zealand are either from the Leiopelma genus endemic to the country or are one of the introduced species, of which three are extant. Pepeketua is the eponymized Māori word.[1][2][3]

Unique characteristics

Members of the genus Leiopelma exhibit a number of basal traits that separate them from most other species. These traits include: vestigial tail-wagging muscles, cartilaginous inscriptional ribs, the presence of amphicoelous vertebrae, and nine presachral vertebrae (most frogs have eight). In addition, Leiopelma lack external ear drums and produce only limited vocalizations.

Species

Native

Scientific name Image
Main article: Leiopelmatidae
Archey's frog, Leiopelma archeyi
Hamilton's frog, Leiopelma hamiltoni
Hochstetter's frog, Leiopelma hochstetteri
Maud Island frog, Leiopelma pakeka
Aurora frog, Leiopelma auroraensis EX
Markham's frog, Leiopelma markhami
Waitomo frog, Leiopelma waitomoensis

Introduced

Scientific name Image
Green and golden bell frog", Litoria aurea
Growling grass frog", Litoria raniformis
Southern brown tree frog", Litoria ewingii
Australian green tree frog", Litoria caerulea
Eastern banjo frog", Limnodynastes dumerilii

See also

References

  1. pepeketua - Māori Dictionary http://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/word/5496
  2. 09 October 2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/in-our-nature/7787401/Our-fascinating-frogs
  3. Ryan, Paddy. "Frogs in New Zealand". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 July 2012.

Further reading

External links

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