Taudactylus rheophilus
Northern Tinker Frog
Conservation Status
Calling Period
Description
A small species of frog reaching up to 3 cm in body length. It has a dark brown, yellow-brown, or brown back. The side is dark brown or black from behind the eye to the groin. There is a dark horizontal marking between the eyes. There is sometimes a cream-coloured vein-like pattern on the side and back. The belly is white or brown, with cream-coloured spots. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is gold. The legs and arms have brown horizontal bars. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both with small discs.
Breeding Biology
Eggs have not been described, but are likely laid as a small, loose cluster under rocks in stream pools as they are in other Taudactylus species. Tadpoles have not been described, but are likely to be similar to other Taudactylus species in colour, habit, and development time. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeding season is unknown, but is possibly during spring to summer.
Similar Species
Looks similar to Taudactylus acutirostris in its former distribution, but lacks a pointed snout.
Images
Photo: Hal Cogger
Calls
Distribution
Formerly found from Thornton Peak to Bellenden Ker Range in QLD, but has likely become extinct due to the amphibian chytrid fungus. It has not been seen since 2000.