Litoria piperata
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Litoria piperata
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
- Peppered Tree Frog
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Litoria piperata
Family: Hylidae
Common name: Peppered Tree Frog
Description: This frog is dull olive to grey-green on its back with dark flecking, spots and marbling. It has a faint dark stripe from the nostril, through the eye and tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear). The belly is pale cream and granular. The skin on the back is smooth with a few tubercles (lumps), especially around the head. The finger and toe pads are large and the toes are three-quarters webbed.
Size: 30 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in open forests and wet sclerophyll forests above 800 m. It is often found beside streams and ponds, under rocks and vegetation.
Call: A short "chuck-chuck-chuck" sound.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Litoria phyllochroa and Litoria pearsoniana by the tubercles and dark markings on its back.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- None stated
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 6-25 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 201-1000 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: 101-1000 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: Distribution is extrapolated from a few locations or knowledge limited to general maps or known only from single records, type series etc.
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.
Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.