Arenophryne rotunda
Copyright © J Dale Roberts
Distribution map
Distribution of Arenophryne rotunda
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
- Sandhill Frog
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Arenophryne rotunda
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common name: Sandhill Frog
Description: This frog has a squat, flattened body and very short limbs. The back is pale brown to grey-white with fine darker flecks of green, brick red and brown. High concentrations of the dark brown flecks are found on the sides of the body. The belly is white with areas of translucent skin lacking pigment. The skin on the back and belly is smooth.
Size: 30 mm
Habitat: This burrowing frog is common on coastal sand dunes but also occurs on red sand in shrublands and heaths further inland.
Call: Sounds like a short "squelch". Call available in 
Windows Media or 
Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © Dale Roberts.
Eggs: Are creamy-white and laid at depths of 80 cm in the sand.
Tadpoles: Develop entirely within the egg.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Myobatrachus gouldii by its smaller size and less extreme accentuation of the head.
Other characteristics: Like the Turtle Frog, the Sandhill Frog burrows head first into the sand.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Global warming and other climate changes
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Some factors affecting population size and distribution are known, but 1 or more major factors are unknown.
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 1-50 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: 1001-80000 km² (up to 1% area of Australia or about the area of Tasmania).
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
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.