Spencer's burrowing frog (''Platyplectrum spenceri'') is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

native to western and central Australia.

Description

Spencer's burrowing frog is very similar in appearance to the ornate burrowing frog (''Platyplectrum ornatus''). Both it and ''P. ornatus'' were moved to the genus ''Opisthodon'' in 2006, following a major revision of amphibians, and are now classified in the genus ''Platyplectrum''. Previously, ''P. spenceri'' was classified in the genus ''

Limnodynastes ''Limnodynastes'' (commonly known as the Australian swamp frogs) is a genus of frog native to Australia, southern New Guinea and some Torres Strait Islands. They are ground-dwelling frogs, with no toe pads. The size varies from 45 mm to 90&n ...

''. Spencer's burrowing frog is a short, rotund frog with a small head and large eyes. The colour and patterns of the dorsal surface vary greatly. The colour ranges from a dark brown to light grey, with darker blotches. A butterfly shaped, darker patch is often found behind the eyes. The legs and arms are striped or spotted, the tympanum is not visible, and the feet range from partially to fully webbed. The absence of webbing between the toes allows for easier burrowing.

Ecology and behaviour

Spencer's burrowing frog is a

fossorial A fossorial () animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily, but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, meerkats, and mole salamanders, as well as many beetles, wasps, and bees. Prehistoric eviden ...

frog native to the

desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

s of western and central Australia. During dry periods, the frog burrows underground to avoid

desiccation Desiccation () is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic (attracts and holds water) substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container. ...

. After a period of heavy rain, they emerge from the ground to feed and mate, laying their eggs in temporary pools of water. Tadpole development may be as short as 60 days because there is a danger that the water could dry up before the

tadpole A tadpole is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found i ...

s have morphed. Spencer's burrowing frog inhabits sandy creeks and rivers. The males will call near a water source with a rapidly repeated "hoh-hoh-hoh". Eggs are laid in foam, which breaks down in a day and releases the eggs into a layer on the top of the water.

References

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q4675451 Platyplectrum Amphibians of South Australia Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of the Northern Territory Amphibians of Western Australia Amphibians described in 1940 Frogs of Australia