Uperoleia altissima - Species Profile

Photo: Shane Black
Photo: Stephen Mahony

Distribution

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Photo: Shane Black
Photo: Stephen Mahony

Call recorded by Stephen Mahony

Call recorded by Keith McDonald

Calling Period

Jan: peak
Feb: peak
Mar: possible
Apr: possible
May: possible
Jun: possible
Jul: possible
Aug: possible
Sep: possible
Oct: possible
Nov: possible
Dec: yes

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 3 cm in body length. It has a brown or grey back, with dark brown patches. There is a brown V-shaped marking between the eyes, and a brown stripe from the tip of the snout the eye. There is sometimes a small, pale brown-yellow stripe from the edge of the mouth to the arm. The side of the head is sometimes white. The belly is grey with white specks, and the male has a dark brown throat. The pupil is round, and the iris is gold. The legs have horizontal bars. The groin and the backs of the thighs are bright red. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both without discs. The parotoid glands are small and sometimes pale brown-yellow.

Habitats

Occurs in open woodland.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid singly and attached to vegetation under the surface of the water in temporary ponds and creeks. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 3 cm and are brown in colour, with a distinct V-shaped marking between the eyes. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies, and take around one to two months to develop into frogs. Breeds during summer.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to Uperoleia mimula, Uperoleia lithomoda, and Uperoleia littlejohni in its distribution, but has a different call to Uperoleia lithomoda and Uperoleia littlejohni. The best way to differentiate it from Uperoleia littlejohni and Uperoleia mimula is by DNA testing.

Photos