MISSING FROGS OF THE WET TROPICS

Northern Tinker-Frog (Taudactylus rheophilus)

LAST SEEN:

October, 1991; Mt. Spurgeon, Carbine Tableland.

HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION:

940-1300m altitude; Mt. Bellenden Ker, Mt Haig, Mt. Spurgeon, Mt. Lewis, Thornton Peak.

HABITAT:

Rocky streams within upland rainforest at altitudes between 940 to 1300 metres. A secretive frog found under rocks, stones, logs and roots beside fast-flowing streams. Prefers seepage and trickle areas near streams. Diurnal and nocturnal.

DESCRIPTION:

Adult body length up to 30 mm. Dorsal surface smooth or finely granular; greyish-brown, reddish or dark brown with irregular black markings. A grey streak runs from above the eye to groin. Below this is a broad black band that breaks into a reticulate pattern on the flanks. Transverse bar between the eyes. A faint transverse streak between anterior portion of eyes. Loreal region black with irregular grey markings. A pale granular patch from angle of jaw to base of forearm. Dorso-lateral skin fold absent. Ventral surface smooth; brown with conspicuous, irregular, creamy-white markings. Limbs with irregular black crossbands. Digits barred with dark brown and creamy-grey. Tips of fingers and toes with small conspicuous discs. Toes fringed, without webbing. Fingers with subarticular tubercles. Snout blunt. Tympanum indistinct.

CALL:

A soft repeated metallic tapping, gentle rattling sound, or a "tink tink".

BREEDING AND LARVAE:

Eggs and tadpoles have not been identified. Eggs found in gravid females numbered 35-50.

REFERENCES:

Description: Liem and Hosmer, 1973. Call: McDonald, 1992; Liem and Hosmer, 1973. Larvae: Liem and Hosmer, 1973. Miscellaneous: Dennis and Trenerry, 1984; Cogger, 1988; McDonald, 1991, 1992; Covacevich and McDonald, 1993; Richards et al, 1993.

Literature cited.

Prepared by: J-M. Hero, Updated August 1, 1994. Dept. Zoology, James Cook University, QLD 4811.

zljmh@jcu.edu.au