Spencer's burrowing frog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Limnodynastidae
Genus: Platyplectrum
Species:
P. spenceri
Binomial name
Platyplectrum spenceri
(Parker, 1940)
Synonyms
  • Limnodynastes spenceri Parker, 1940
  • Opisthodon spenceri

Spencer's burrowing frog (Platyplectrum spenceri) is a species of frog native to western and central Australia.

Description

Spencer's burrowing frog is very similar in appearance to the ornate burrowing frog (Platyplectrum ornatus). Both it and P. ornatus were moved to the genus Opisthodon in 2006, following a major revision of amphibians, and are now classified in the genus Platyplectrum. Previously, P. spenceri was classified in the genus Limnodynastes.[1]

Spencer's burrowing frog is a short, rotund frog with a small head and large eyes. The colour and patterns of the dorsal surface vary greatly. The colour ranges from a dark brown to light grey, with darker blotches. A butterfly shaped, darker patch is often found behind the eyes. The legs and arms are striped or spotted, the tympanum is not visible, and the feet range from partially to fully webbed. The absence of webbing between the toes allows for easier burrowing.

Ecology and behaviour

Spencer's burrowing frog is a fossorial frog native to the deserts of western and central Australia. During dry periods, the frog burrows underground to avoid desiccation. After a period of heavy rain, they emerge from the ground to feed and mate, laying their eggs in temporary pools of water. Tadpole development may be as short as 60 days because there is a danger that the water could dry up before the tadpoles have morphed.

Spencer's burrowing frog inhabits sandy creeks and rivers. The males will call near a water source with a rapidly repeated "hoh-hoh-hoh". Eggs are laid in foam, which breaks down in a day and releases the eggs into a layer on the top of the water.

References

  1. ↑ "Platyplectrum spenceri (Parker, 1940) | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
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