Common eastern froglet

Common eastern froglet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Myobatrachidae
Genus: Crinia
Species:
C. signifera
Binomial name
Crinia signifera
Girard, 1853
Common eastern froglet range

The common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera) is a very common, Australian ground-dwelling frog, of the family Myobatrachidae.[1][2] They are also referred to as 'gunggung' by the Dharug people of the Sydney basin.[3]

Distribution

The common eastern froglet ranges from southeastern Australia, from Adelaide to Melbourne, up the eastern coast to Brisbane.[1] It also inhabits a majority of Tasmania.[1] It is one of the most commonly encountered frog species within its range, due to its ability to occupy several habitat types.[1]

Description

The common eastern froglet is a small frog (approx. 3 centimetres), of brown or grey colour of various shades.[2] The frog is of extremely variable markings, with great variety usually found within confined populations.[2] A dark, triangular mark is found on the upper lip, with darker bands on the legs. A small white spot is on the base of each arm. The dorsal and ventral surfaces are very variable. The dorsal surface may be smooth, warty or have longitudinal skin folds. The colour varies from dark brown, fawn, light and dark grey. The colour of the ventral surface is similar to the dorsal surface, but mottled with white spots.[citation needed]

Ecology and behaviour

The common eastern froglet will call within a large chorus of males close to a still water source, or slow flowing creek. The call of the male is a crik-crik-crik; this is heard all year round, during wet and dry conditions.[2] An average of about 100-150 eggs are laid in small clusters attached to submerged vegetation.[1][2] The tadpoles and eggs survive in 14–15 °C water.[citation needed] Tadpoles are normally brown and reach about 36mm in length.[2][4] Development is relatively short, it takes between 2.5–3 months for tadpoles to develop into frogs,[4] it can be dependent on environmental conditions.[citation needed] At a temperature of 15 °C development can range from 6 weeks to more than 3 months.[citation needed] Metamorph frogs are very small, about 8 mm.[citation needed]

The diet of the species consists of small insects, much smaller in comparison to their size than most frogs.[3]

Common Eastern Froglet
Call recorded at Kobble Creek, SE Queensland
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References

  1. ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Common Froglet Crinia signifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T41141A78440834. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Crinia signifera Eastern Common Froglet". frogs of Australia. Amphibian Research Centre. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Common eastern froglet". Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre. NSW Department of Education. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b FrogID Team (4 February 2021). "Common Eastern Froglet". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  • Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD. ISBN 0-589-50108-9
  • Tyler, M.J. 1994. Australian Frogs A Natural History. Reed Books ISBN 0-7301-0468-0
  • Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney. ISBN 9781876334635