Armoured Frog
Encyclopedia
The Armoured Frog 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.
NP), Roaring Meg Cascades and Mossman
Bluff Creek (Daintree
NP), north-eastern Queensland—between 640 and 1000 m (2,099.7 and 3,280.8 ft) in altitude—and the historical extent of the species only was 120 square kilometres (46.3 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.
, 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 eyelid
s 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 pad
s 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.
and stream
s 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). Tadpole
s 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.
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
.
Tree frog
Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semi-aquatic.-Characteristics:...
that is in the Torrent Frog complex (Litoria nannotis), a group that is restricted to north-eastern Queensland, Australia.
Distribution
This species was known from four localities: Alexandra Creek, Hilda Creek (Cape TribulationCape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation is a headland and locality in northern Queensland, Australia north of Cairns. It is located within the Daintree National Park and the Wet Tropics World Heritage area. At the 2006 census, Cape Tribulation had a population of 101....
NP), Roaring Meg Cascades and Mossman
Mossman, Queensland
For the collection of Horsedrawn Carriages see Mossman CollectionMossman is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, on the Mossman River...
Bluff Creek (Daintree
Daintree National Park
Daintree is a national park in Far North Queensland, Australia, northwest of Brisbane and northwest of Cairns. It was founded in 1981 and is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. In 1988 it was granted listing as a World Heritage List...
NP), north-eastern Queensland—between 640 and 1000 m (2,099.7 and 3,280.8 ft) in altitude—and the historical extent of the species only was 120 square kilometres (46.3 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.
Physical description
L. lorica is a small tree frogTree frog
Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semi-aquatic.-Characteristics:...
, 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 eyelid
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
s and around the tympanum
Tympanum (zoology)
The tympanum is an external hearing structure in animals such as frogs, toads, insects, and mammals, to name a few.-Anurans:In frogs and toads, it is located just behind the eye. It does not actually process sound waves; it simply transmits them to the amphibian's inner ear, which is protected...
. 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 pad
Nuptial pad
A nuptial pad is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders. Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland appears as a spiked epithelial swelling on the forearm and prepollex that aids with grip, used primarily by males to grasp females during amplexus...
s on their thumbs and "accessory spines" on their chests. These spines are used in amplexus
Amplexus
Amplexus is a form of pseudocopulation in which a male amphibian grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process...
, in order for the males to attain a better grip on the female.
Behaviour and ecology
This species is associated with fast-flowing creeksStream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
and stream
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
s 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
Waterfall Frog
The Australian waterfall frog or torrent treefrog is a species of tree frog native to Far North Queensland, Australia. The common name of "waterfall frog" is indicative of its habitat of moist, rocky streams, and is often found along waterfalls within its range.-Physical description:The waterfall...
, (Litoria nannotis). Tadpole
Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.- Appellation :...
s 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.
Conservation status
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 rainforestRainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
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
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
, and as Endangered under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992
Nature Conservation Act 1992
The Nature Conservation Act 1992 is an act of the Parliament of Queensland that provides for the legislative protection of Queensland's threatened biota. As originally published, it provided for biota to be declared presumed extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare or common...
.