Australian Lace-lid

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Australian Lace-lid

Conservation status

Endangered

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae
Genus:	Nyctimystes
Species:	N. dayi

Binomial name

Nyctimystes dayi
(Günther, 1897)

The range of Nyctimystes dayi.

The Australian Lace-lid (Nyctimystes dayi) is a tree frog and is the only species in its genus that occurs in Australia.

1 Physical description
2 Ecology and behaviour
3 Similar species
4 References

[edit] Physical description

This is a medium sized frog growing to 50 mm in length. It is variable in colour and patterning and this lead to the belief that there were three species in Australia. The dorsal surface is rich-brown to orange-brown with or without scattered cream or lichen like spots and blotches covering it, the head or the limbs. The arms and legs have faint barring and a slight fringe along the outer edges. The belly is cream-white and granular, with the throat and under surface of the arms and legs being black. The iris is dark brown and the pupil is vertical when constricted. The lower eyelid is patterned with lines, veins and dots. Toes are fully webbed and fingers are almost completely webbed. The tympanum is distinct with the upper quarter cover under a skin fold.

[edit] Ecology and behaviour

This species ranges from Paluma to Cooktown in north Queensland. It is associated with fast flowing creeks in montane rainforests of altitudes ranging from 0-1200 m. But can also be found around slower watercourses and rock soaks when ample vegetation is present. They breed from spring to summer with peak breeding occurring from October to April. Males call while on low foliage or rocks close to the stream, and have has two distinct calls. A drawn out “eeeeeeee” repeated three or four times in concession is made when calling in a group and when calling alone a short “ee” is made every 4-5 seconds. Eggs are large and unpigmented and are laid in clumps of up to 100 attached to submerged objects.

[edit] Similar species

It may be confused with the Fringed Tree Frog and the New Guinea Tree Frog which it is readily distinguished by the vertical pupil and the lower eyelid patterning.