Armoured Frog

Taxobox | name = Armoured Frog
status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. lorica"
binomial = "Litoria lorica"
binomial_authority = Davies and McDonald, 1979
synonyms = "Pengilleyia lorica"
Wells and Wellington, 1985
range_

range_map_caption = Distribution of the Armoured Frog, pre-2008 rediscovery

The Armoured Frog (or Armoured Mistfrog), "Litoria lorica", is a species of tree frog that is in the Torrent Frog complex ("Litoria nannotis"), a group that is restricted to north-eastern Queensland, Australia.

Distribution

This species was known from four localities: Alexandra Creek , Hilda Creek (Cape Tribulation NP), Roaring Meg Cascades and Mossman Bluff Creek (Daintree NP), north-eastern Queensland—between convert|640|and|1000|m|ft in altitude—and the historical extent of the species only was convert|120|km2|sqmi. It was not seen between 1991 and 2008, when a small population that had been rediscovered was confirmed to be of this species. [http://de.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080911/twl-seltene-froschart-in-australien-wied-1be00ca.html] [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/11/frog.extinct.ap/index.html 'Extinct' Frogs Survive Devastating Fungus] ]

Physical description

"L. lorica" is a small tree frog, growing up to convert|37|mm|in in length. It is grey or grey-brown on the dorsal surface and white on the ventral surface. The skin is tubercular on the dorsal surface, prominently on the eyelids and around the tympanum. Fingers are half webbed and toes are fully webbed, both having well developed discs. The tympanum is small and indistinct and a vocal sac is not present. Males have black, spiny nuptial pads on their thumbs and "accessory spines" on their chests. These spines are used in amplexus, in order for the males to attain a better grip on the female.

Behaviour and ecology

This species is associated with fast-flowing creeks and streams in rainforests in northern Queensland. The call for this species is unknown, however is likely to be similar to that of the closely related Waterfall Frog, ("Litoria nannotis"). Tadpoles of this species are undescribed although would theoretically look similar to those of "L. nannotis"–with a large oral disc and a streamlined body, an adaptation to fast flowing streams.

Conservation status

This species along with "Taudactylus rheophilus", "Taudactylus acutirostris" as well some closely related species (including "Litoria nannotis", "Litoria nyakalensis" and "Litoria rheocola") have also declined in flowing creeks in highland rainforest in the same general area that is inhabited by "L. lorica" around the early 1990s. The reason for decline of these species is not known, but it is believed that disease caused by chytrid fungus may be a factor. The relocated population was found to be infected with the fungus, but seems to have acquired some degree of resistance.

It is listed as "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List, and as "Endangered" under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Footnotes

References

* Cunningham, M. 2002. "Identification and evolution of Australian torrent treefrogs". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 48(1):93-102. Brisbane, Qld.
* [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/threatened_plants_and_animals/endangered/armoured_mistfrog/ Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service - Armoured MistFrog]
* [http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=1841 Department of Environment and Heritage - Armoured MistFrog]
* [http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=164 Frogs Australia Network]
*Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler,M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons.

External links

*eol|17190570
* [http://de.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080911/foto/pwl-photo-1-seltene-froscha-a174c9f5cf65.html Photo] at Yahoo News