Mixophyes Iteratus
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The giant barred frog (''Mixophyes iteratus'') is a species of
barred frog The barred frogs are a group of frogs in the genus ''Mixophyes''. They are the largest of the Australian ground frogs, from the family Myobatrachidae. The barred frogs are native to the eastern coast of Australia, with one species inhabiting Ne ...
found in Australia. It occurs from south-eastern
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 , established_ ...
to just south of the
Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...
region in
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
. It is associated with flowing streams and creeks in wet sclerophyll and rainforest habitats from the coast to the ranges.


Description

This is Australia's second largest species of frog, reaching a maximum size of about 120 mm. This frog is normally dark brown on the dorsal surface with some spots of variable size in a darker colour. The upper half of the iris is golden in colour, with the bottom half being darker, a thin dark stripe runs from the snout, through the eye, and down past the tympanum. There is a dark triangle shape on the end of the snout starting from the nostril, with a paler triangle present behind it stretching to the eye. The legs are very strongly barred and the toes are fully webbed. The thighs and side are a distinct pale yellowish in colour with many darker spots also present in this area. The underbelly is white.


Ecology and behaviour

This species is always found close to water, normally permanent flowing creeks, however they will sometimes also inhabit dams in wet sclerophyll and rainforest. The call of this species is a deep grunting noise, males call in the spring and summer from the edges of streams after rain. During amplexus the female kicks the eggs up onto an overhanging bank or rocks. The eggs stick to this surface until heavy rain when they may be washed into the water, or without heavy rains to wash the eggs into the water the tadpoles simply fall into the water 8–10 days after laying. The tadpoles of this species grow very large, up to 84mm and are among the largest in Australia.


References


Frogs Australia Network


* Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.


External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q846248 Mixophyes Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians of Queensland Endangered fauna of Australia Amphibians described in 1968 Frogs of Australia