Stuttering Frog
5100296
220512090
2008-06-20T05:59:33Z
Hesperian
111359
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{{Taxobox
| name = Stuttering Frog
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
| trend = down
| image = Mixophyes balbus.JPG
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Amphibia]]
| ordo = [[Anura]]
| familia = [[Myobatrachidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Limnodynastinae]]
| genus = ''[[Mixophyes]]''
| species = '''''M. balbus'''''
| binomial = ''Mixophyes balbus''
| binomial_authority = [[Straughan]], 1968
| range_map = Mix balbus range.PNG
| range_map_caption = Stuttering Frog range.
}}
The '''Stuttering Frog''' is a large [[species]] of [[frog]] that inhabits temperate and sub-tropical [[rainforest]] and wet [[sclerophyll]] [[forest]] in [[Australia]].
==Distribution==
This frog's historical distribution ranged from [[Timbarra River]] near Drake in northern [[New South Wales]], to [[Cann River (Victoria)|Cann River]] catchment in east [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] and covered an area of approximately 110 000 km². Populations south of [[Sydney]] have declined dramatically and the Victorian populations are believed to be extinct. It has also disappeared from a number of sites in NSW where it was once common. It occurs at altitudes between 20 m and 1400 m. In the north of its range the species occurs only at high altitudes while in the south both upland and lowland populations have been recorded.
==Physical Description==
This frog can reach up to 80 mm in length. Its dorsal surface is [[brown]] and diffuses laterally to merge with a pale [[yellow]] on the ventral surface. An irregular shaped blotch starts between the eyes and finishes mid-dorsal and may be broken up. There is a dark head stripe that starts before the nostril as a triangle, it then continues from the [[nostril]] to the [[eye]], then from the eye over the [[tympanum (zoology)|tympanum]] and finishes over the shoulder. The tympanum is slightly oval shaped and distinct. The [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] is light [[blue]], diffusing into [[gold (color)|gold]] above the [[pupil]] and dark brown below. The 4-6 bars on the hind limbs are pale and indistinct. Toes are three quarters webbed and fingers are free from webbing.
==Ecology and behaviour==
This species is associated with flowing creeks and streams in temperate and sub-tropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and [[Nothofagus moorei|Antarctic Beech]] forests. The call is a "kook kook kook kra-a-ak kruk kruk" - lasting one to two seconds. The male calls while next to the stream, often on leaf litter, and spawn is deposited in dug-out, gravel nests in shallow, flowing water. Tadpoles usually reach 65 mm but may be up to 80 mm in length. Tadpoles are dark brown or black with large spots and flecks on the [[tail]]. Metamorphosis may take 15 months and the metamorphs closely resemble the adults, but have less distinct dorsal pattern and a rusty red iris.
==Similar Species==
This frog can be distinguished from all other ''[[Mixophyes]]'' species by the blue crescent in the upper iris, except for ''[[Fleay’s Barred-Frog|Mixophyes fleayi]]''. It can be distinguished from ''Mixophyes fleayi'' by the lack of mottling on the flanks.
==References==
*Anstis, M. 2002. ''Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia''. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
*Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler, M.J. (1995). ''A Field Guide to Australian Frogs''. Surrey Beatty & Sons.
*[http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=1942 Department of Environment and Heritage - Stuttering Frog]
*[http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=47 Frogs Australia Network - Frog call available here]
[[Category:Amphibians of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Amphibians of Victoria]]
[[Category:Myobatrachidae]]
[[Category:Vulnerable fauna of Australia]]
[[ca:Mixophyes balbus]]