Metacrinia nichollsi

Nicholls' Toadlet
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Myobatrachidae
Genus:	Metacrinia Parker 1940
Species:	M. nichollsi
Binomial name
Metacrinia nichollsi (Harrison, 1927)[1]
Range of the Nicholls' Toadlet

Metacrinia nichollsi is a species of Australian frog, commonly named as the Forest (or Nicholls') Toadlet.^[2] It is endemic to Southwest Australia, occurring between Dunsborough and Albany.

Physical description

Metacrinia nichollsi is a squat frog with short limbs and reaches 25 mm in length. The dorsal colouration is very dark brown or black occasionally with pink flecks. The ventral surface is grey, dark blue or black with white marbling. There are yellow or orange markings at the base of each arm and on the underside of the thighs and lower belly. The skin on the dorsum is warty and the belly is granular. The tympanum is visible and the fingers and toes are free of webbing.^[3]

It is the only described species in the genus Metacrinia. The toadlet is poorly studied, but the diverse appearance of the toadlet suggests there may be more than one species.^[2]

Ecology and behaviour

This species is found amongst leaf litter, under stones and logs in Karri and Jarrah forests. Breeding occurs in late summer with most activity after rain. The males make a short "ark" similar to that of species in the Pseudophryne genus.^[4] 25 - 30 eggs are laid in damp ground cover where they develop directly without a larval stage. The species was assessed as Least Concern in 2004.^[5]

Similar species

Nicholls' Toadlet may be confused with Guenther’s Toadlet (Pseudophryne guentheri). It can be distinguished by the orange ventral markings.

References

1. ^ "Metacrinia nichollsi". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=664683. Retrieved Oct 23, 2008. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 99. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6. 
3. ^ "Metacrinia nichollsi". Australian Frog Database. Frogs Australia Network. 2005. http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=46. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
4. ^ Roberts, Dale (2005). "Metacrinia nichollsi call". Australian Frog Database. Frogs Australia Network. http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/calls/qt/metacrinia_nichollsi.mov. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
5. ^ Jean-Marc Hero, Dale Roberts (2004). Metacrinia nichollsi. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 Oct 2008.

• Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler,M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons.