The scanty frog (''Cophixalus exiguus''), also known as the dainty nursery frog, is a Microhylid frog found in a restricted area of rainforest in north-east

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

. It is the smallest frog species in Australia.

Description

The scanty frog is a very small frog, reaching a size of 16-19 millimetres (0.6-0.7 in). The dorsal surface is grey-brown, with random pale sections. In some specimens, a broad vertebral line is present, which broadens towards the eyes. It has a deep red patch on the groin. A faint "H" shape is present on the shoulders, and a V shape between the eyes. Toe pads are present, and webbing between toes and fingers are absent.

Ecology and behaviour

The scanty frog is a semi-arboreal species, usually found on the ground, beneath logs and leaf litter. It will call during mating season, from within the trees, as high as 1.5 metres. The

mating call A mating call is the auditory signal used by animals to attract mates. It can occur in males or females, but literature is abundantly favored toward researching mating calls in females. In addition, mating calls are often the subject of mate choic ...

is a series of fast clicks. Its habitat is vine rainforests, which can include Acacia. The scanty frog is found in northern Queensland, south of

Cooktown Cooktown is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. Cooktown is at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repai ...

. It is geographically isolated from most species within its genus.

References

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q2274075 Cophixalus Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians described in 1969 Frogs of Australia