Geocrinia vitellina
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| Geocrinia vitellina | ||||||||||||||
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| Geocrinia vitellina Wardell-Johnson & Roberts, (1989) |
Geocrinia vitellina, a species of frog in the family Myobatrachidae, is also known as the Orange-bellied Frog. It is endemic to a 20 ha area near Margaret River in Southwest Australia. It is vulnerable to extinction by fire and pigs.
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[edit] Description
G. vitellina is very similar in appearance to Geocrinia alba (White-bellied frog); having spots of dark brown on a light brown or grey back, with has a snout-vent length of 17-24 mm. The underparts, however, are paler and vivid orange in the front. It is part of the Geocrinia rosea frog complex.
[edit] Environment and ecology
The species occupies an area of 20 ha, the smallest of any Australian mainland vertebrate, across a range of 6.3 km² around Witchcliffe. This narrow range is confined to swampy areas near creeklines. Six creeks on the Blackwood River, Western Australia have been found to provide habitat.
Populations are isolated due to breeding behaviour and a small individual range - unusual for frog species. A call is given in spring and early summer with a series of 9-15 pulses only just discernible. Eggs are laid in depressions, surrounded by a jelly mass. Without feeding or swimming, the tadpoles progress to an adult stage.
[edit] Threatened status
The small range of this species has made it vulnerable to threats such as fire and 'wild pigs', water pollution through agricultural runoff, and changes to the hydrology of the riparian habitat through land-use.
[edit] References
- Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) (December 1994). Orange-bellied and White-bellied Frogs Recovery Plan 1999-2001. Australian Government. Retrieved on 2007-04-13. “Recovery plan objectives: Downlisting to conservation dependent (Orange-bellied Frog) and vulnerable (White-bellied Frog) within ten years by protecting existing populations and, if necessary, establishing additional populations.”
- Burbidge, Andrew A (2004). "7. Amphibians", Threatened animals of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 131. ISBN 0 7307 5549 5. “The school of Animal Biology [[[University of Western Australia|UWA]]] has conducted considerable research into the species. ... Pig control is being undertaken by local people”
