Austrochaperina robusta

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 3.5 cm in body length. It has a light brown or dark reddish-brown back, with dark brown spots. The side of the head is clearly darker in individuals with a light brown back. The belly is cream-coloured or dark yellow, sometimes with darker mottling. The pupil is horizontal or nearly round, outlined with a red-gold ring, and the iris is gold or dark brown. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both with small discs.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as one small cluster on land in a hidden area of moist leaf litter or rock cover 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 hatch as little frogs, but it is unknown how long they take to develop. Breeds during spring to summer in the wet season.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to Austrochaperina fryi; they can only be separated by their calls, as well as mostly different distribution. Also looks similar to Austrochaperina pluvialis in its distribution, but has a different call and eye colour.