Geocrinia vitellina
Encyclopedia
The Orange-bellied Frog (Geocrinia vitellina) a species of frog
in the family Myobatrachidae
. It is endemic to a 20 ha area near Margaret River
in Southwest Australia
. It is vulnerable
to extinction by fire and pigs.
(White-bellied frog); having spots of dark brown on a light brown or grey back, with has a snout-to-vent length of 17–24 mm. The underparts, however, are paler and vivid orange in the front. It is part of the Geocrinia rosea
frog complex.
n 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 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.
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.
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
in the family Myobatrachidae
Myobatrachidae
Myobatrachidae is a family of frogs found in Australia and New Guinea. Members of this family vary greatly in size, from species less than long, to the second largest frog in Australia, the Giant Barred Frog , at in length...
. It is endemic to a 20 ha area near Margaret River
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, south of Perth, the state capital. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River....
in Southwest Australia
Southwest Australia
Southwest Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregions of Western Australia. The region has a wet-winter, dry-summer Mediterranean climate, one of five such regions in the world...
. It is vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
to extinction by fire and pigs.
Description
G. vitellina is very similar in appearance to Geocrinia albaGeocrinia alba
The White-bellied frog is a small frog in the family Myobatrachidae. It occupies an area near Margaret River in swampy depressions adjoining creeks. Threats from altered ecology have made this a critically endangered species of Southwest Australia.- Description :G...
(White-bellied frog); having spots of dark brown on a light brown or grey back, with has a snout-to-vent length of 17–24 mm. The underparts, however, are paler and vivid orange in the front. It is part of the Geocrinia rosea
Geocrinia rosea
Geocrinia rosea, the Karri or Roseate Frog is a species in the family, Myobatrachidae. It is endemic to Southwest Australia....
frog complex.
Environment and ecology
The species occupies an area of 20 ha, the smallest of any AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n 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 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 vulnerableVulnerability
Vulnerability refer to the susceptibility of a person, group, society, sex or system to physical or emotional injury or attack. The term can also refer to a person who lets their guard down, leaving themselves open to censure or criticism...
to threats such as fire and 'wild pigs', water pollution through agricultural runoff, and changes to the hydrology
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
of the riparian habitat through land-use.