Orange-bellied Frog

Geocrinia vittelina Wardell-Johnson & Roberts 1989

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago


A small short-bodied frog with short muscular legs. The undersurface is bright orange or egg yolk yellow. The upper surface is light brown or grey with dark spots that are sometimes aligned to form two parallel rows extending from the eye to the rump and a vertebral row. Maximum size is 2.5 cm.

Breeding Biology

Development is entirely terrestrial with no need for free standing water. Males call from small depressions under dense vegetation in summer and late spring. Eggs are deposited in small depressions close to calling males. Tadpole development occurs entirely within the terrestrial nest.

Habitat

Very dense swamp vegetation (to 4 m high) on clay, bordering streams and seeps.

Etymology

vittelina refers to the egg yolk-like colour of the belly.

General

Listed as 'vulnerable' due to its restricted habitat and ongoing population declines. One of Western Australia's most vulnerable frog species threatened with extinction.

Distribution map for Geocrinia vittelina

Highly restricted - found only in a 4 square km area along the Spearwood Creek system of the Blackwood River near Margaret River.

The call is a distinctive series of 9-15 pulses repeated almost slowly enough to be distinguished.