Geocrinia vitellina

Geocrinia vitellina, commonly known as the orange-bellied frog, is a species of frog in the family Myobatrachidae. It is endemic to a 20 hectare area near Margaret River in Southwest Australia. It is vulnerable to extinction due to fire and the destruction of habitat caused by feral pigs.

Orange-bellied Frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Myobatrachidae
Genus: Geocrinia
Species:
G. vitellina
Binomial name
Geocrinia vitellina
Wardell-Johnson & Roberts, 1989

Description

G. vitellina is very similar in appearance to Geocrinia alba (White-bellied frog); having spots of dark brown on a light brown or grey back, with has a snout–vent length of 17–24 mm.[2] The underparts, however, are paler and vivid orange in the front. It is part of the Geocrinia rosea frog complex.

Environment and ecology

The species occupies an area of 20 ha, the smallest of any Australian mainland vertebrate, across a range of 6.3 km² around Witchcliffe. This narrow range is confined to swampy areas near creeklines. Six creeks on the Blackwood River, Western Australia have been found to provide appropriate habitat.

Populations are isolated due to breeding behaviour and a small individual range—unusual for frog species. A call is given in spring and early summer with a series of 9–15 pulses only just discernible. Eggs are laid in depressions, surrounded by a jelly mass. Without feeding or swimming, the tadpoles progress to an adult stage.

Threatened status

The small range of this species has made it vulnerable to threats such as fire and 'wild pigs', water pollution through agricultural runoff, and changes to the hydrology of the riparian habitat through land-use.

References
  1. Roberts, Dale; Hero, Jean-Marc (2004). "Geocrinia vitellina". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2004: e.T9032A12952365. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T9032A12952365.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. "Cophixalus hosmeri (SVL = 17 mm) and Geocrinia vitelline (SVL = 18 mm), with mean clutch sizes of only 6 and 11 eggs, respectively." Gould, John; Beranek, Chad; Valdez, Jose; Mahony, Michael (2020). "Quality versus quantity: The balance between egg and clutch size among Australian amphibians is related to life history and environmental conditions". bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2020.03.15.992495. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  • Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) (December 1994). "Orange-bellied and White-bellied Frogs Recovery Plan 1999-2001". Australian Government. Retrieved 2007-04-13. Recovery plan objectives: Downlisting to conservation dependent (Orange-bellied Frog) and vulnerable (White-bellied Frog) within ten years by protecting existing populations and, if necessary, establishing additional populations.
  • Burbidge, Andrew A (2004). "7. Amphibians". Threatened animals of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p. 131. ISBN 0-7307-5549-5. The school of Animal Biology UWA has conducted considerable research into the species. ... Pig control is being undertaken by local people
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