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Cyclorana cultripes

Knife-footed Frog

Conservation Status

EPBC:

Unlisted

IUCN:

Least Concern

Calling Period

Possible
Yes
Peak
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 4.5 cm in body length. It has a grey or cream-coloured back with darker patches, and a cream coloured longitudinal stripe along the middle. There is also a wider cream-coloured horizontal stripe behind the eyes. The belly is white, and the male has a grey throat. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is gold. The backs of the thighs are brown with white spots. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are half-webbed, both without discs.

Breeding Biology

Eggs have not been described, but are likely to be similar to those of Cyclorana maini. Eggs are laid in flooded roadside ditches, grassland ponds, and creek pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 6 cm, and are light gold or white in colour. They often swim in schools, and take around one month to develop into frogs, although tadpoles in warmer areas may grow faster. Breeds during spring to autumn after heavy rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to the many Cyclorana species in its distribution. Looks most similar to Cyclorana maini and Cyclorana vagitus, but Cyclorana vagitus is larger, and Cyclorana maini lacks the wide cream-coloured stripe behind the eyes. Also looks similar to Cyclorana brevipes, Cyclorana longipes and Cyclorana maculosa, but has a different call, while Cyclorana maculosa also has a different back colour pattern.

Images

Photo:

Photo:

Photo:

Calls

By: Dave Stewart

Distribution

Found throughout the NT and western QLD, extending into northwestern NSW and northeastern WA.

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