| Armoured Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. lorica |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria lorica Davies and McDonald, 1979 |
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| Distribution of the Armoured Frog, pre-2008 rediscovery | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pengilleyia lorica |
|
The Armoured Frog (or Armoured Mistfrog), Litoria lorica, is a species of tree frog that is in the Torrent Frog complex (Litoria nannotis), a group that is restricted to north-eastern Queensland, Australia.
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This species was known from four localities: Alexandra Creek, Hilda Creek (Cape Tribulation NP), Roaring Meg Cascades and Mossman Bluff Creek (Daintree NP), north-eastern Queensland—between 640 and 1,000 metres (2,100 and 3,300 ft) in altitude—and the historical extent of the species only was 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi). It was not seen between 1991 and 2008, when a small population that had been rediscovered was confirmed to be of this species.[2][3]
L. lorica is a small tree frog, growing up to 37 millimetres (1.5 in) in length. It is grey or grey-brown on the dorsal surface and white on the ventral surface. The skin is tubercular on the dorsal surface, prominently on the eyelids and around the tympanum. Fingers are half webbed and toes are fully webbed, both having well-developed discs. The tympanum is small and indistinct and a vocal sac is not present. Males have black, spiny nuptial pads on their thumbs and "accessory spines" on their chests. These spines are used in amplexus, in order for the males to attain a better grip on the female.
This species is associated with fast-flowing creeks and streams in rainforests in northern Queensland. The call for this species is unknown, however is likely to be similar to that of the closely related Waterfall Frog, (Litoria nannotis). Tadpoles of this species are undescribed although would theoretically look similar to those of L. nannotis–with a large oral disc and a streamlined body, an adaptation to fast flowing streams.
This species along with Taudactylus rheophilus, Taudactylus acutirostris as well some closely related species (including Litoria nannotis, Litoria nyakalensis and Litoria rheocola) have also declined in flowing creeks in highland rainforest in the same general area that is inhabited by L. lorica around the early 1990s. The reason for decline of these species is not known, but it is believed that disease caused by chytrid fungus may be a factor. The relocated population was found to be infected with the fungus, but seems to have acquired some degree of resistance.
It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and as Endangered under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.