The common eastern froglet (''Crinia signifera'') is a very common, Australian ground-dwelling

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-frog" '' Triadobatrachus'' is ...

, of the family Myobatrachidae.

Distribution

The common eastern froglet ranges from southeastern Australia, from

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater A ...

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a me ...

, up the eastern coast to

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

. It also inhabits a majority of Tasmania. It is one of the most commonly encountered frog species within its range, due to its ability to occupy several habitat types.

Description

The common eastern froglet is a small frog (3 centimetres), of brown or grey colour of various shades. The frog is of extremely variable markings, with great variety usually found within confined populations. A dark, triangular mark is found on the upper lip, with darker bands on the legs. A small white spot is on the base of each arm. The

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

and

ventral Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe the anatomy of animals, including humans. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position prov ...

surfaces are very variable. The dorsal surface may be smooth, warty or have longitudinal

skin fold Skin folds or skinfolds are areas of skin that are naturally folded. Many skin folds are distinct, heritable anatomical features, and may be used for identification of animal species, while others are non-specific and may be produced either by ind ...

s. The colour varies from dark brown, fawn, light and dark grey. The colour of the ventral surface is similar to the dorsal surface, but mottled with white spots.

Ecology and behaviour

The common eastern froglet will call within a large chorus of males close to a still water source, or slow flowing creek. The call of the male is a ''crik-crik-crik''; this is heard all year round, during wet and dry conditions. An average of about 200 eggs are laid in small clusters attached to submerged vegetation. The tadpoles and eggs survive in 14–15 °C water. Tadpoles are normally brown and reach about 36mm in length. Development is relatively short and dependent on environmental conditions. At a temperature of 15 °C development can range from 6 weeks to more than 3 months. Metamorph frogs are very small, about 8 mm. The diet of the species consists of small insects, much smaller in comparison to their size than most frogs.

References

* Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern *Cogger, H.G. 1979. ''Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia''. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD. *Tyler, M.J. 1994. ''Australian Frogs A Natural History''. Reed Books *Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
Frogs of Australia > Crinia signifera
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2274017 Crinia Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians of Victoria (Australia) Amphibians of the Australian Capital Territory Amphibians of South Australia Amphibians of Tasmania Amphibians described in 1853 Frogs of Australia