Booroolong Frog

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

---

regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. booroolongensis"
binomial = "Litoria booroolongensis"
binomial_authority = Moore, 1961
range_

range_map_caption = Current distribution of the Booroolong Frog (in black) compared to the historic distribution (in grey).The Booroolong Frog ("Litoria booroolongensis") is a species of stream dwelling frog native to the western slopes and ranges of New South Wales and northern Victoria.

Physical description

This frog reaches about 45mm in length. It is normally grey, olive or brown with pale spots or mottling, normally slightly warty in appearance, the flanks are grey. It is cream on the ventral surface. The back of the thighs are pale yellow a few darker spots. There is a faint stripe that runs from the nostril to above the tympanum, this stripe is pale and thin in contrast to the closely related Stoney Creek Frog, "Litoria wilcoxi" and Lesueur's Frog "Litoria lesueurii" and can be used to distinguish between the species. The typanum is darker in colour. The armpit is also pale yellow. The toe discs are relatively well developed but only of a moderate size. The toes are nearly fully webbed.

Behaviour and ecology

This species was once abundant in streams above about 200m, until drastic declines began to occur in the New England tablelands in northern New South Wales. Although some declines have occurred in the Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales they have not been so severe. Currently in the northern tablelands it is only found in 2 streams near Tamworth. In the central tablelands it is found along the Abercrombie River, the Turon River and the Winburndale Creek catchment areas. In the southern tablelands this species is still found along the Tumut River, Yarrangobilly River, and the upper Murray River catchment areas. It is present at one stream in Victoria. The introduction of fish such as trout, along with the Chytrid fungus is believed to be the main cause for decline.

This species is a stream dwelling frog, occurring in rocky western flowing rivers and streams in highland areas. It is normally associated with open woodlands, but is also found in grassland and forest. Males make a quite "quirk...quirk...quirk" call from beside streams or on bedrock within streams from late winter through to summer. An average of about 1300 eggs are laid in a single adherent clump, attached to or under rocks, within rock pools or in still sections of streams. Hatching occurs from 4-7 days after laying. Tadpoles are brown with well developed mouth parts and reach a maximum of about 58mm. Metamorphosis occurs during summer and tadpole development takes an average of 75 days. Metamorphs from northern areas average about 15mm while those in the south measure about 22mm. Metamorph frogs closely resemble the adult.

References

* [http://threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10484 DEC Species Profile]
* [http://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Litoria/booroolongensis/ Frogs of Australia]
* [http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=134 Frogs Australia Network]
* [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/pubs/booroolong-frog.pdf Nomination for Listing]
*Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney. ISBN 1-876334-63-0
*Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney. ISBN 1-876334-83-5

External links

* [http://www.fnpw.org.au/ForSupporters/PAWS/enews062/FrogWipeOut.htm Impact of Chytrid fungus on frogs (Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife)]