Distribution map
Distribution Map of Litoria lorica
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Status
IUCN Classification:
Critically Endangered
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Armoured Mist Frog
Queensland Environmental Protection Agency page on Litoria lorica
Search on this family or genus
Litoria lorica
Family: Hylidae
Common names: Little Waterfall Frog; Armoured Frog; Armoured Mistfrog
Description: This frog is grey or grey-brown on its back. The belly is white and granular. The skin on the back is finely tubercular (lumpy) with larger tubercles over the eyes and tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear). The throat is smooth and white with dark brown flecks. The males have nuptial pads and black spines on their chest during the breeding season. The toe and finger pads are large, and the toes are fully webbed.
Size: 35 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in upland rainforests near fast flowing rocky streams.
Call: Not described.
Eggs: Are large and without pigment.
Tadpoles: Are unknown but probably resemble tadpoles of this group by having a flattened body and large mouth - that allows them to attach to rocks in fast flowing streams.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Litoria nyakalensis, Litoria rheocola and Litoria nannotis by its size, the black spines on the males' chests and its colour.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Disease/pathogens (e.g. chytrid fungus, viruses)
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is 0-1000 individuals. Factors affecting population size and distribution are unknown or unsubstantiated.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population size known to be decreasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Not currently monitored.
Population concentration: Majority concentrates at 5 or fewer locations. (e.g. the number of sites in which individuals group together either seasonally, such as breeding sites, or they may occupy discrete habitat patches within the broader landscape, such as discrete water bodies or drainage units.)
Ongoing management activities in Australia: Management mostly related to enforcement of conservation laws.
Reproductive potential for recovery: The average number of eggs deposited per adult female per year is 51-200 eggs/female/year. Minimum age at which females are known or suspected to first reproduce is 2-3 years.
Range size in Australia: The size of the geographic area over which the taxon is distributed: < 100 km².
Distribution trend: Area occupied has declined by 75-100%. (This is an estimate of change in the portion of the total range that is occupied or utilised; it may not equal the change in total range.)
Knowledge of distribution in Australia: Broad range limits or habitat associations are known, but local occurrence cannot be predicted accurately.
References
Barker, J., G.C. Grigg and M.J. Tyler. 1995. A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton.
Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.