Direct development in the Australian myobatrachid frog Metacrinia nichollsi from Western Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 7 years ago

ABSTRACT – The development of the myobatrachid frog Metacrinia nichollsi from southwestern Australia is described. Metacrinia nichollsi and the related myobatrachid direct developing species Myobatrachus gouldii and Arenophryne rotunda all differ from Eleutherodactylus coqui in that their forelimbs develop internally and emerge later, and they do not have a keratinised egg tooth. Eggs of M. nichollsi were found deposited beneath leaf litter on dry sand not associated with water and embryonic development is completed entirely within the jelly capsule over a period of more than two months. Observations on a predatory nematode worm are noted.