Uperoleia daviesae


Howard Springs Toadlet

Distribution

Distribution map for Uperoleia daviesae
Found only in the Howard Springs area of the NT.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Vulnerable

IUCN Red List

Endangered

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Dane Trembath

Call recorded by Dane Trembath

Call recorded by Dane Trembath

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 2.5 cm in body length. It has a grey or grey-brown back, with darker patches and sometimes a thin, orange longitudinal line along the middle. There is also sometimes a small, pale brown-yellow or white stripe from the edge of the mouth to the arm. The belly is pale pink with white specks; the male has a dark grey throat. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is silver. The legs sometimes have horizontal bars. The groin and the backs of the thighs are bright orange or red. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are slightly webbed, both without discs. The parotoid glands are large, and sometimes pale orange-brown.

Habitats

Occurs in open savannah woodland with sandy soil, and in flooded grassland.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid singly under the surface of the water and attached to vegetation in shallow pools and drainage lines in flooded grassland. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 4 cm and are dark brown in colour. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during summer in the wet season.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to Uperoleia crassa and Uperoleia lithomoda in its distribution, but is generally smaller and has smaller parotoid glands.