#pseudophryne

[herpsandbirds]

Red-crowned Broodfrog (Pseudophryne australis), family Myobtrachidae, found in the Greater Sydney region of Australia

The eggs are laid in a nest under moist leaf litter. The young undergo the early tadpole stage in the eggs, and then emerge as well developed tadpoles when the nest is flooded. The male guards the nest.

photograph by Ciaran Nagle

[stickyfrogs]

Dr Sam also discovered this Amazing Frog Feast happening at this termite mound! It was covered in the usually elusive Red-crowned Toadlets (and some Red-backed Toadlets or hybrids)! Each little frog had their own spot waiting for some termite dinner!

One friend kindly showed us their gorgeous marbled stomach, which is unique to each frog like a fingerprint!

[frogs-from-bogs]

Pseudophryne australis by John Paff

[hamoudablog]

Southern Brood Frog (Pseudophryne semimarmorata) by Matt Clancy Wildlife Photography Yarra Valley, Victoria. https://flic.kr/p/25fjHLn

[nature-and-biodiversity-blog]

Southern Corroboree Frog Pseudophryne corroboree

[drhoz]

#1342 - Pseudophryne guentheri - Crawling Toadlet

Photo by Doug McDougie.

Another species from the Alison Baird Reserve, but found across much of the SW corner of Australia. Up to about 35mm long, with a white belly marked with black blotches.

Crawling Toadlets start breeding with the first rains in autumn and continues through to early winter. The males excavate a burrow, and sit next to them calling for a female. Most mating and egg-laying take place before there is water in the ponds and creek lines where they breed. In the case of Alison Baird, that would be before the groundwater rose enough to clear the surface.

As many as 100 relatively large eggs are laid singly in damp depressions or burrows excavated by the males. Males can often be found on a pile of eggs, probably laid by many females. The eggs will divide and grow normally for a while, then suspend development until winter rains fill ponds and creeks and eventually flood the burrows. 

[herpsandbirds]

Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), family Myobatrachidae, found in far SE Australia

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

Poisonous.

Endangered due to climate change, Chytrid fungus, introduced species, and brushfires. There are fewer than 180 individuals left in the wild.

photographs by Tiffany Pereira and Toni Kingston

[herpsandbirds]

Bibron's Toadlet or Brown Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii), family Myobatrachidae, found in SE Australia

Photograph by Rob Valentic