Uperoleia fusca
Copyright © Craig Cleeland
Uperoleia fusca tadpole
Copyright © Marion Anstis
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Uperoleia fusca
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
- Dusky Toadlet
AmphibiaWeb page on Uperoleia fusca
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Uperoleia fusca
Family: Myobatrachidae
Common names: Dusky Gungan; Sandy Gungan; Dusky Toadlet
Description: This frog is grey-brown on its back with dark blotches and variegations. There are cream spots scattered over the back and sometimes a pale stripe runs down the spine. There are red, yellow or orange patches on the backs of the thighs and in the groin. The belly is smooth and cream with grey-brown speckling. The skin on the back is scattered with tubercles (lumps). The toes are not webbed.
Size: 30 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in open forests, grasslands and shrublands. It is usually associated with grassy areas that often flood after heavy rains.
Call: A rasping "squelch" sound.Call available in 
Windows Media or 
Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © David Stewart.
Breeding: Males call from grass tussocks during spring, summer and autumn. This species breeds in ponds, swamps and flooded grasslands.
Eggs: Are laid one at a time and attached to leaves, twigs and stems in the water. The eggs are small.
Tadpoles: Are small and dark brown with gold patches. These tadpoles often have a pale stripe down the spine. They often swim around the edges of ponds hiding in the plants and leaf litter.
Similar species: This species is distinguished from other species of Uperoleia by its complete belly colouration and relatively small paratoid glands (swollen glandular region behind the eye).
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 >50000 individuals. Factors affecting population size and distribution are unknown or unsubstantiated.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population trend unknown; no information on habitat changes.
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: 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 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: Broad range limits or habitat associations are known, but local occurrence cannot be predicted accurately.
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.