common eastern froglet
{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}{{Use Australian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common eastern froglet
| image = Crinia_signifera.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Crinia
| species = signifera
| authority = Girard, 1853
| range_map = Crinia signifera distribution.PNG
| range_map_caption = Common eastern froglet range
}}
The common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera) is a very common, Australian ground-dwelling frog, of the family Myobatrachidae.{{Cite IUCN|title=Common Froglet Crinia signifera|page=e.T41141A78440834|last=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group|year=2022|access-date=8 February 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Crinia signifera Eastern Common Froglet |url=https://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Crinia/signifera |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327042341/https://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Crinia/signifera |archive-date=27 March 2024 |website=frogs of Australia |publisher=Amphibian Research Centre}} They are also referred to as 'gunggung' by the Dharug people of the Sydney basin.{{Cite web |title=Common eastern froglet |url=https://fieldofmar-e.schools.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/common-eastern-froglet.html |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre |publisher=NSW Department of Education |language=en-AU}}
Distribution
Description
The common eastern froglet is a small frog (approx. 3 centimetres), of brown or grey colour of various shades. The frog is of extremely variable markings, with great variety usually found within confined populations. A dark, triangular mark is found on the upper lip, with darker bands on the legs. A small white spot is on the base of each arm. The dorsal and ventral surfaces are very variable. The dorsal surface may be smooth, warty or have longitudinal skin folds. The colour varies from dark brown, fawn, light and dark grey. The colour of the ventral surface is similar to the dorsal surface, but mottled with white spots.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
Ecology and behaviour
The common eastern froglet will call within a large chorus of males close to a still water source, or slow flowing creek. The call of the male is a crik-crik-crik; this is heard all year round, during wet and dry conditions. An average of about 100-150 eggs are laid in small clusters attached to submerged vegetation. The tadpoles and eggs survive in 14–15 °C water.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} Tadpoles are normally brown and reach about 36mm in length.{{Cite web |last=FrogID Team |date=4 February 2021 |title=Common Eastern Froglet |url=https://australian.museum/learn/animals/frogs/common-eastern-froglet/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=The Australian Museum |language=en}} Development is relatively short, it takes between 2.5–3 months for tadpoles to develop into frogs, it can be dependent on environmental conditions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} At a temperature of 15 °C development can range from 6 weeks to more than 3 months.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} Metamorph frogs are very small, about 8 mm.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
The diet of the species consists of small insects, much smaller in comparison to their size than most frogs.
{{Listen|filename=Crinia signifera july08.ogg|title=Common Eastern Froglet |description=Call recorded at Kobble Creek, SE Queensland|format=Ogg}}
{{Commons category|Crinia signifera}}
{{Wikispecies|Crinia signifera}}
References
- Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD. {{ISBN|0-589-50108-9}}
- Tyler, M.J. 1994. Australian Frogs A Natural History. Reed Books {{ISBN|0-7301-0468-0}}
- Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney. {{ISBN|9781876334635}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2274017}}
Category:Amphibians of Queensland
Category:Amphibians of New South Wales
Category:Amphibians of Victoria (state)
Category:Amphibians of the Australian Capital Territory
Category:Amphibians of South Australia
Category:Amphibians of Tasmania