The Kimberley rockhole frog (Litoria aurifera) is a species of small treefrog that is endemic to Western Australia.[2][3] The species epithet aurifera (‘gold-bearing’) refers to the colouring of the tadpoles.[3]
| Kimberley rockhole frog | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. aurifera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria aurifera | |
History
editThe species was described in 2010 following the discovery by botanists Matt and Russell Barrett of its distinctive tadpoles in shallow water near the Prince Regent River in the tropical Kimberley region of north-west Australia.[3]
Description
editThe species is similar in appearance to the common rockhole frog (Litoria meiriana). It grows up to 22 mm long, and has small limbs with fully webbed toes. The tadpoles have black bodies with gold patches on the snout and back. The metamorphs are about 11 mm long.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThe frog has a restricted range in rugged sandstone country, from Walcott Inlet to the Prince Regent National Park, where it occurs in rocky waterholes and creeks.[3]
References
edit- ^ Anstis, Marion; Tyler, Michael J.; Roberts, Dale; Price, Luke C. & Doughty, Paul (2010). "A new species of Litoria (Anura: Hylidae) with a highly distinctive tadpole from the north-western Kimberley region of Western Australia" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2550: 39–57. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2550.1.3. hdl:2440/61497.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Litoria aurifera Anstis, Tyler, Roberts, Price, and Doughty, 2010". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Kimberley Rockhole Frog". Frog Watch. Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
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