The marbled frog or marbled marsh frog (Limnodynastes convexiusculus) is a species of ground-dwelling frog native to northern and north-eastern Australia, and southern New Guinea in both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.[1][2][3]
| Marbled frog | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Limnodynastidae |
| Genus: | Limnodynastes |
| Species: | L. convexiusculus
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| Binomial name | |
| Limnodynastes convexiusculus (Macleay, 1878)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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It is not to be confused with the spotted grass frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis), which was also formerly known as the "marbled frog" in South Australia.[4]
Description
editAdult marbled frogs reach about 4.5 centimetres (1.8 in) in length, sometimes larger. Toes are long and unwebbed. Grey to light brown on back with numerous prominent darker blotches. The belly is white. Males have a yellowish throat and numerous small sharp black spines on their backs. When disturbed their skin excretes large amounts of mucus.
Ecology and behaviour
editThe marbled frog tends to be solitary inhabiting thick ground vegetation and is more often heard than seen. Males often call from hidden sites, usually partly submerged beneath vegetation. Its call has been described as "a rapid series of uk uk uks". Eggs are laid in a floating foam nest under vegetation and are small and brown. Tadpoles reach 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in length.
The marbled frog inhabits waterholes and pools in open grassland and woodland.
References
edit- ^ a b Jean-Marc Hero; Dale Roberts; Paul Horner; Richard Retallick; Fred Parker & Djoko Iskandar (2004). "Limnodynastes convexiusculus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004. IUCN: e.T41156A10406673. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T41156A10406673.en.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Limnodynastes convexiusculus (Macleay, 1878)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ "Limnodynastes convexiusculus Marbled Marsh Frog". Frogs of Australia. Amphibian Research Centre. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ Waite, Edgar R. (1929): The reptiles and amphibians of South Australia. Facsimile Edition, issued to commemorate the Second World Congress of Herpetology, Adelaide,South Australia, by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 1993.
References
edit- Tyler, Michael J. (1992). Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Frogs. Pymble, Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 978-0-207-15996-1.
- Ryan, Michelle; Burwell, Chris (2000). Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland: Cooktown to Mackay. Brisbane: Queensland Museum. ISBN 978-0-7242-9349-0.
