Austrochaperina pluvialis

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 3 cm in body length. It has a brown or grey back. There is a white stripe from the tip of the snout that borders the upper eyelid, with a dark brown stripe underneath that extends to the side and sometimes covers the side of the head. The belly is clear yellow, orange, or brown, with darker specks; the male has a brown or grey throat. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is dark brown or orange-brown, outlined with a red ring. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both without discs.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as one small cluster on land in a hidden area of moist leaf litter and the nest is guarded by the male, as it is with other Austrochaperina species. Tadpoles never swim in water; instead they develop inside the egg and may hatch as little frogs. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to summer in the wet season.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Austrochaperina fryi and Austrochaperina robusta in its distribution, but has a different call and eye colour.