Robust Whistling Frog

Scientific name: Austrochaperina robusta

Alternative name/s:
Robust Frog

Author(s)

FrogID Team
Updated

21/04/22
Read time

2 minutes

Robust Whistling Frog, Austrochaperina robusta Image: Stephen Mahony
© Stephen Mahony

Fast Facts

IUCN Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN (LC)
Classification

Genus

Austrochaperina

Species

robusta

Family

Microhylidae

Order

Anura

Subclass

Lissamphibia

Class

Amphibia

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia
Size Range

3.5 cm

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 3.5 cm in body length. It has a light brown or dark reddish-brown back, with dark brown spots. The side of the head is clearly darker in individuals with a light brown back. The belly is cream-coloured or dark yellow, sometimes with darker mottling. The pupil is horizontal or nearly round, outlined with a red-gold ring, and the iris is gold or dark brown. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both with small discs.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to Austrochaperina fryi; they can only be separated by their calls, as well as mostly different distribution. Also looks similar to Austrochaperina pluvialis in its distribution, but has a different call and eye colour.

Distribution

Found only near Townsville and Cairns in the Wet Tropics region of QLD.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as one small cluster on land in a hidden area of moist leaf litter or rock cover and the nest is guarded by the male, as it is with other Austrochaperina species. Tadpoles never swim in water; instead they develop inside the egg and hatch as little frogs, but it is unknown how long they take to develop. Breeds during spring to summer in the wet season.