Cyclorana australis
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Cyclorana australis
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Status
IUCN Classification:
Not listed
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Giant Frog
Northern Territory Frog Database entry on Cyclorana australis
Search on this family or genus
Cyclorana australis
Family: Hylidae
Common names: Northern Snapping Frog; Giant Frog
Description: This frog ranges from grey to brown to dull pink on its back, sometimes with green patches. Juveniles usually have bright green backs. A dark streak runs from the snout, through the eye and the tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear), and down the side of the body. A skin fold runs above this dark streak. There is a black bar below each eye. The groin is often a pale blue-green colour. The backs of the thighs can range from flesh coloured to dark blue. The belly is finely granular and white. The skin on the back has some low warts and two longitudinal skin folds. The toes have some slight webbing.
Size: 100 mm
Habitat: This burrowing frog lives in coastal floodplains, woodlands and grasslands.
Call: A short "unk" sound.
Breeding: Occurs from late November to February in temporary ponds, creeks or flooded areas.
Eggs: Are laid in clumps of 100 - 1000 eggs with reports of some clutches having 7000 eggs (probably from more than one female). The eggs sink soon after they are laid.
Tadpoles: Are large and dark olive grey to light sandy gold in colour depending on the environmental conditions. These tadpoles are often found in water over 40°C.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Cyclorana novaehollandiae by its narrower head and variegated pattern on the backs of its thighs. It can also be separated from Cyclorana alboguttata by the two longitudinal skin folds on its back.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- None stated
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Factors affecting population size and distribution are unknown or unsubstantiated.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population size stable or suspected to be stable or increasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Not currently monitored.
Population concentration: Not known to concentrate or exist in discrete locations. (e.g. the number of sites in which individuals group together either seasonally, such as breeding sites, or they may occupy discrete habitat patches within the broader landscape, such as discrete water bodies or drainage units.)
Ongoing management activities in Australia: None directed primarily at the taxon.
Reproductive potential for recovery: The average number of eggs deposited per adult female per year is >1000 eggs/female/year. Minimum age at which females are known or suspected to first reproduce is <2 years.
Range size in Australia: The size of the geographic area over which the taxon is distributed: > 1,000,000 km².
Distribution trend: Area occupied is stable or has increased. (This is an estimate of change in the portion of the total range that is occupied or utilised; it may not equal the change in total range.)
Knowledge of distribution in Australia: Broad range limits or habitat associations are known, but local occurrence cannot be predicted accurately.
References
Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
Barker, J., G.C. Grigg and M.J. Tyler. 1995. A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton.
Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.
Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.