Scientists find new Australian frog

Scientists find new Australian frog
Pilbara toadlet (Uperoleia saxatilis). Photo by Paul Doughty

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new miniature frog species or ‘toadlet’ has been discovered in the resource-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia, an area previously thought to support very few of the amphibians.

Researchers from the Australian National University, the Western Australian Museum, and the University of Western Australia have used genetic techniques to show more species of are present in the Pilbara than previously thought.
 
Lead author and PhD student from the Research School of Biology at ANU, Renee Catullo said the findings included a species previously unknown to science.
 
“The deserts of Australia are often believed to be empty regions with few species. However genetic work on reptiles and amphibians has shown that there are large numbers of species in what looks like a barren landscape to most people,” she said.
 
“We have also identified a new species of burrowing frog called the Pilbara toadlet (Uperoleia saxatilis), which is just over two centimetres long.
 
“Little is known about this small, brown creature but it has been found following cyclonic rains and occurs in rocky gorges and creeks of the region. The good news is that it appears to be secure from a conservation perspective.
 
“Toadlets are native to Australia and this new species brings the total number to 27, the second largest group of in the country.”
 
The discovery was part of a research project funded by the Herman Slade Foundation that uses genetic techniques to try and understand the true number of species of toadlets. 
 
“Genetic techniques are increasingly being used to identify new across Australia that use calls, pheromones, or behaviour to tell each other apart,” Ms Catullo said.
 
“In these cases can tell us which groups are interbreeding, even when it’s hard to visually differentiate them.
 
“This new breakthrough emphasises the need for further research into understanding the biodiversity of Australian deserts.”

Provided by Australian National University

Citation: Scientists find new Australian frog (2011, July 26) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2011-07-scientists-australian-frog.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Breathing life into an extinct species: Ancient DNA cracks the case

0 shares

Feedback to editors