Taudactylus diurnus
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Taudactylus diurnus
Copyright © Hal Cogger & Frogs Australia Network
Status
IUCN Classification:
Extinct
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Southern Dayfrog
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency page on Taudactylus diurnus
Search on this family or genus
Taudactylus diurnus
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common names: Southern Day Frog; Mt Glorious Torrent Frog
Description: This frog was grey or brown on its back with darker mottling. There was a pale bar between the eyes with a dark brown bar behind it. A pale stripe ran from the eye to the arm and there was a dark H-shaped mark on the back between the shoulders. The arms and legs had dark banding. The belly was smooth and cream or bluish in colour. The skin on the back was smooth, granular or with a few low warts. The toes had wedge-shaped pads and no webbing. The species has not been located since 1979.
Size: 30 mm
Habitat: This frog lived in montane rainforests and tall open forests. It was found in and around flowing streams, which it readily dived into when alarmed. This frog was able to cling beneath rocks in swift torrents until danger had passed.
Call: A soft "cluck-cluck-cluck-cluck" repeated in short bursts.
Breeding: Males called beside streams during the summer months. The eggs were laid in jelly-like clumps under rocks in the water.
Eggs: Were large and laid in masses under rocks in streams.
Tadpoles: Were moderately sized and had a characteristic umbrella-shaped lip.
Similar species: This frog was most similar to Taudactylus eungellensis but they could easily be separated on distribution. This species also looked similar to some species of Crinia and Litoria, which it could be distinguished from by its toe pads and lack of webbing.
Other characteristics: This frog was diurnal, which means active during the day. Most frogs are nocturnal - active at night.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Inappropriate catchment management, including degraded water quality
- Disease/pathogens (e.g. chytrid fungus, viruses)
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is 0-1000 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 known to be decreasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Nation-wide monitoring, but not with statistical sensitivity.
Population concentration: Majority concentrates at more than 25 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: Management mostly related to enforcement of conservation laws.
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: 101-1000 km².
Distribution trend: Area occupied has declined by 75-100%. (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: Distribution is well known and occurrence can be accurately predicted throughout the range.
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.
Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.