Notaden nichollsi
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Notaden nichollsi
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
- Desert Spadefoot Toad
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Notaden nichollsi
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common names: Desert Shovelfoot; Desert Spadefoot Toad
Description: This frog is brown, grey or olive on its back with low dark warts and white, yellow and red spots. White or yellow spots are also scattered along the sides of the body. The belly is white. The toes have slight webbing.
Size: 60 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in arid sandy areas. It is only seen after rain.
Call: A low "whoop" repeated slowly.
Breeding: Males call in large choruses mostly during summer rains. Breeding takes place in shallow ponds and flooded areas.
Eggs: Are laid in chains (in shallow pools) and wrap around aquatic plants.
Tadpoles: Are small and sandy gold, dark brown or red brown in colour. Tadpoles of this species take only 16 days to develop.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from other species of Notaden through its distribution and colour pattern.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- None stated
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Some factors affecting population size and distribution are known, but 1 or more major factors are unknown.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population size stable or suspected to be stable or increasing.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Not currently monitored.
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: None directed primarily at the taxon.
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: > 1,000,000 km².
Distribution trend: Area occupied is stable or has increased. (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.
Swan, G. 2001. Green Guide to Frogs of Australia. New Holland: Sydney.