CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis
Because of their unique and unusual ability to retain large amounts of water, the water-holding frog has become the best example of a burrowing frog traditionally used by the Aboriginies. As the water is stored in the bladder or in the pockets of skin, a slight pressure applied by hand causes the frog to release water. The Aboriginal people dig up Litoria platycephala and enjoy the resource this frog has to offer. This water is very fresh and after the Aboriginies drink, the frog is released unharmed (S. Australian Frogcensus 1999).
Litoria platycephala prefers to eat a diet consisting mainly of insects and small fish. The water-holding frog has the rare ability to catch their prey underwater. They do this by using their strong, muscular attributes and lunging at their prey, stuffing it in their mouths.
Litoria platycephala occupies the southern arid regions of Australia.
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
The water-holding frog prefers to live in grasslands, temporary swamps, claypans, and billibongs. Their distribution is limited to southern Australia (S. Australian Frogcensus 1999).
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Aquatic Biomes: rivers and streams
The water-holding frog is characterized by a broad, flat head, completely webbed toes, and a stout body which is usually dull gray to dark brown or green. They also have small eyes that are placed somewhat laterally and forward-directed, enhancing vision downward and binocular perspective (Cogger and Zweifel 1998). The water-holding frog can also be characterized by its distinct call of a long drawn out "mawww, mawww". The male frogs range in size from 42-64mm, where the females range from 50-72mm (S. Australian Frogcensus 1999).
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry
The water-holding frog only emerges from deep underground after it rains to breed. It lays large amounts of spawn in still water after floods. Some eggs may be attached to vegetation, or spread in a thin film on the surface, thus ensuring adequate oxygen in warm waters suffering from oxygen depletion (Cogger and Zweifel 1998). Tadpoles of the water-holding frog can reach a maximum length of 60mm (S. Australian Frogcensus 1999).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
Der Wasserreservoirfrosch (Cyclorana platycephala, Syn.: Litoria platycephala, Ranoidea platycephala, Dryopsophus platycephalus) ist ein Froschlurch aus der Familie der Australischen Laubfrösche (Pelodryadidae).
Dieser Frosch ist sechs bis sieben Zentimeter lang und braun gefärbt; die Unterseite ist heller.
Die Art kommt in den Trockengebieten Australiens in zeitweise austrocknenden Seen und Sümpfen vor. Sie ernährt sich von Insekten, Insektenlarven, Spinnen, Würmern und Weichtieren.
In der Regenzeit ist der Frosch aktiv und vermehrt sich. Vor dem völligen Austrocknen des Gewässers zieht er sich dann in eine selbstgegrabene Kammer im Uferschlamm zurück. Er sammelt in Hohlräumen im Unterhautgewebe sowie in seiner Harnblase große Mengen Wasser an und sieht dann fast kugelförmig aus (daher auch der lateinische Gattungsname). Mit diesen Wasserreserven kann er die Zeit bis zum nächsten Regen überdauern.
Die Aborigines graben die Frösche zur Trinkwassergewinnung aus, wenn kein anderes Wasser verfügbar ist. Durch leichten Druck auf den Frosch gibt dieser Wasser frei. Danach wird der Frosch unverletzt wieder in die Freiheit entlassen.
Der Wasserreservoirfrosch (Cyclorana platycephala, Syn.: Litoria platycephala, Ranoidea platycephala, Dryopsophus platycephalus) ist ein Froschlurch aus der Familie der Australischen Laubfrösche (Pelodryadidae).
Ranoidea platycephala, commonly known as the water-holding frog, is a species of frog common to most Australian states. It differs from most other members of the subfamily Pelodryadinae as a ground dweller and the ability to aestivate. It can live for five years without drinking.[2]
The species has a population spread across all the Australian states except Victoria and Tasmania.[1] It occupies a wide range of habitat from forests of tropical swamp to intermittent pools and lowland grass country; all habitat is assumed to be of a low elevation. Populations are assumed to be large from frequent reports and a broad range.[1] This range is assumed to overlap with National parks, but research has not been undertaken into the ecology and biology of the species.[3] It buries itself in sandy ground in a secreted, water-tight, mucus cocoon with its external skin during periods of hot, dry weather. For additional nutrition and to save energy, the frog eats the external skin.[4] It has been known to burrow to depths of up to 1 meter (3 feet).[5]
The water-holding frog is characterized by a broad, flat head, completely webbed toes, and a stout body which is usually dull gray to dark brown or green. They also have small eyes that are placed somewhat laterally and forward-directed, enhancing vision downward and binocular perspective (Cogger and Zweifel 1998).[6]
The water-holding frog only emerges from deep underground after it rains to breed. It lays large amounts of spawn in still water after floods. Some eggs may be attached to vegetation, or spread in a thin film on the surface, thus ensuring adequate oxygen in warm waters suffering from oxygen depletion.[7] Tadpoles of the water-holding frog can reach a maximum length of 60mm (S. Australian Frogcensus 1999).[8]
Indigenous Australians use this ability by digging up one of these frogs and gently squeezing it, causing the frog to release some of the fresh water it stores for itself in its bladder and skin pockets. This water can be consumed by the person, who then releases the frog. During the dry season, this will cause the frog to die, as its water reserves are necessary for its survival.[8][9]
No threats have been identified, research into the extent of habitat loss through land clearing and the associated salinity is yet to be undertaken. The species is given Least Concern status at the IUCN Red List due to a wide range and large population.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Ranoidea platycephala, commonly known as the water-holding frog, is a species of frog common to most Australian states. It differs from most other members of the subfamily Pelodryadinae as a ground dweller and the ability to aestivate. It can live for five years without drinking.
Ranoidea platycephala (en inglés eastern water-holding frog, flat-headed frog) es una rana originaria de Australia. Vive en en centro seco del país, en Queensland, Victoria, Australia del Sur y Nueva Gales del Sur.[2][3]
La rana adulta mide de 6.0 a 9.0 cm de largo. Es oscura o verde en color.[4] Esta rana vive en muchos tipos de tierra, por ejemplo pastizales, humedales temporales y billabongs. Cuando el clima es seco, esta rana cava una madriguera en el suelo y ahorra agua. Pone 500 huevos a la vez, cuando el suelo se inunda y se crean charcos temporales.[3]
Datos: Q28027518
Multimedia:
Especies: Litoria platycephala
Ranoidea platycephala (en inglés eastern water-holding frog, flat-headed frog) es una rana originaria de Australia. Vive en en centro seco del país, en Queensland, Victoria, Australia del Sur y Nueva Gales del Sur.
La rana adulta mide de 6.0 a 9.0 cm de largo. Es oscura o verde en color. Esta rana vive en muchos tipos de tierra, por ejemplo pastizales, humedales temporales y billabongs. Cuando el clima es seco, esta rana cava una madriguera en el suelo y ahorra agua. Pone 500 huevos a la vez, cuando el suelo se inunda y se crean charcos temporales.
Litoria platycephala Litoria generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Hylidae familian sailkatuta dago, Anura ordenan.
Dryopsophus platycephalus est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Pelodryadidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique d'Australie. Elle se rencontre dans trois zones distinctes[1],[2] :
La zone de répartition de l'espèce est d'environ 1 645 500 km2[3].
L'holotype de Dryopsophus platycephalus[4] mesure 53 mm. Cette espèce a la face dorsale uniformément olive verdâtre et la face ventrale blanchâtre avec de petites taches verdâtres sur la gorge.
Les mâles mesurent de 42 à 64 mm et les femelles de 50 à 72 mm[5].
Son nom d'espèce, du grec ancien πλατύς, platús, « plat, plate », et κεφαλή, képhalế, « tête », lui a été donné en référence à sa morphologie[4].
Dryopsophus platycephalus est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Pelodryadidae.
