Limnodynastes grayi

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

Until recently, this species was considered to be part of Limnodynastes terraereginae, but research led by the Australian Museum and published in 2024 has revealed that this species is distinct from Limnodynastes terraereginae, which is now restricted to Cape York, in far north Queensland. FrogID recordings were core to this research.

A large species of frog reaching up to 7.8 cm in body length. It has a dark brown or grey-brown back, with orange and yellow patches on the sides. The belly is white or yellow and lacks any pattern. There are bright scarlet red patches on the inner thighs, groin and sometimes armpits. The pupil is nearly round and the iris is gold. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are slightly webbed, both without discs.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as a foamy mass on the surface of ponds, dams, swamps, roadside ditches, and creek pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 7.5 cm, and are dark grey or dark brown in colour. They often remain on the bottom of water bodies and are camouflaged against the substrate, taking around two months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to late summer after rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Limnodynastes terraereginae, Limnodynastes dumerilii, Limnodynastes superciliaris and Limnodynastes interioris. Limnodynastes grayi can be distinguished from Limnodynastes terraereginae by its smaller size and scarlet (vs magenta) blotches in the groin and legs. Limnodynastes grayi can be further distinguished from Limnodynastes dumerilii, Limnodynastes superciliaris and Limnodynastes interioris by the presence (vs absence) of scarlet blotches in the groin and legs.