Chattering Rock Frog

Litoria staccato Doughty & Anstis 2007

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A small-to-medium rock-dwelling frog with a pointed snout. Colour is variable ranging from dark red (most individuals) to beige to slatey grey. Head stripe present but poorly defined and often vertebral and dorsolateral stripes on back. Fingers have moderately expanded discs and the toes are partially webbed. Up to 3.5 cm.

Breeding Biology

Breeds in pools along steep rocky creeks and seeps on rock faces. Eggs are laid in clumps that sink to the bottom. Tadpoles cling to surfaces in flowing water with suctorial mouth and take about two months to complete metamorphosis.

Habitat

Rocky creeks, rock platforms and along steep ridges.

Etymology

staccato refers to the halting Morse Code-like call.

General

This species was discovered in January 2006 and was the first to be described in the Kimberley region in over 20 years. It appears to be a sister species with the rock frog (L. coplandi) which is abundant where L. staccato occurs. However, the calls of the two species are vastly different to help females choose the right male to mate with, and which led to its discovery.

Known from the north-west coast and Wyndham in the Kimberley region.

The main call is a high-pitched irregular burst of notes (like Morse code), interspersed with groups of simple notes and occasionally trills.