Lechriodus fletcheri
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Lechriodus fletcheri tadpole
Copyright © Marion Anstis
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Lechriodus fletcheri
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Status
IUCN Classification:
Not listed
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Sandpaper Frog
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Lechriodus fletcheri
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common names: Black Soled Frog; Fletcher's Frog
Description: This frog is fawn, reddish-brown to black on its back with a few darker markings. It often has a narrow dark band across the head - between the eyes. The arms and legs have dark coloured bars and there is a dark stripe from the nostril through the eye to the shoulder. The side of the head is dark brown, but the tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear) is the same colour as the back. The skin on the belly is smooth and white. The skin on the back is granular with several distinctive ridges: from the eye to the shoulder, on the lower back and legs, and an X-shaped ridge between the shoulders. The fingers and toes have a trace of webbing.
Size: 50 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, around pools or streams. They are often found amongst leaf litter on the forest floor, and in tree hollows.
Call: A purring "gar.r..r.up" that lasts for around one second. Call available in 
Windows Media or 
Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © David Stewart.
Breeding: Males call while floating in the water or on the ground near water. Breeding takes place in spring and summer.
Eggs: Up to 300 eggs are laid in a foam nest
Tadpoles: Are small in size and translucent or dark brown with gold specks. These tadpoles can become cannibalistic when there is little food available - the weaker, smaller ones becoming prey for their larger siblings.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from species of Mixophyes by its reduced webbing, horizontal pupil and rough sandpaper-like skin.
Other characteristics: This frog is sometimes called the sandpaper frog because of the male's rough sandpapery skin when in breeding condition. This frog also produces a powerful skin toxin, so wash your hands after touching one.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Direct human impact/urbanisation/tourism
- Habitat modification (e.g. vegetation clearing, invasive weeds)
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is 10001-50000 individuals, or size is unknown but suspected to be large. Factors affecting population size and distribution are unknown or unsubstantiated.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population formerly experienced serious declines but is presently stable or increasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Monitored locally.
Population concentration: Not known to concentrate or exist in discrete 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: 1001-80000 km² (up to 1% area of Australia or about the area of Tasmania).
Distribution trend: Area occupied has declined by < 25%. (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 well known and occurrence can be accurately predicted throughout the range.
References
Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
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.
Swan, G. 2001. Green Guide to Frogs of Australia. New Holland: Sydney.