Red-backed Toadlet

Taxobox | name = Red-backed Toadlet
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

---

regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Myobatrachidae
genus = "Pseudophryne"
species = "P. coriacea"
binomial = "Pseudophryne coriacea"
binomial_authority = Keferstein, 1868
range_

range_map_caption = Range of the Red-backed ToadletThe Red-backed Toadlet ("Pseudophryne coriacea") is a species of ground frog native to the coast and adjacent ranges of eastern Australia, from just north of Sydney to South-eastern Queensland.

Physical Description

This species of frog reaches about 35m in length. It is normally red, from red-orange or red-brown on the dorsal surface, however on occasion grey-red colour morphs can occur (see image). There is a dark (normally black) "dividing" line present right down the entire side of the frog, starting from the nostril. This line separates the red dorsal suface from the strongly marbled black and white ventral surface. There is a white spot in the armpits.

Ecology & Behaviour

This species is normally associated with rainforest and wet sclerphyll forest, however is also found in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland and at times cleared areas. It is normally found in areas that are frequently inundated mostly roadside ditches, creeks and temporary pools.

Males make an "ark" call, similar to most "Pseudophryne" species, however slight more of an elongated note compared to "P. australis" and "P. bibronii". Males call from under moist leaf litter and rotting logs, during spring, summer and autumn, they breed after rain. As with other "Pseudophryne" species the male stays with the eggs in the nest site and may mate with more than one female. Eggs are laid in the nest site and tadpoles hatch after heavy rain floods the nest site and the develop in the temporary pools. Tadpole development is relatively short, due to the ephemeral nature of the pools in which they dwell.

ources

*Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
*Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.
* [http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=73 Frogs Australia Network] -frog call available here.