New frog species discovered in Western Australia

31/07/2006 00:00:00 March 2007. Research into the Kimberley region’s native frogs has yielded a totally new species, the Chattering Rock Frog. Western Australian Museum herpetologist Dr Paul Doughty and Sydney based tadpole expert Marion Anstis discovered the frog near the Grotto, a spectacular waterhole near the East Kimberley town of Wyndham. It is the first of what researchers hope will be several new species discovered over the duration of the Alcoa of Australia-backed project that will enable WA Museum scientists to document the region’s biodiversity before the arrival of the notorious cane toads. Dr Doughty said the Chattering Rock Frog was the first new species from the region to be described in 20 years. ‘We found it initially because of its unusual Morse-code like call which is reflected in its scientific name, Litoria staccato,’ Dr Doughty said.

‘We could also see that the new species was smaller and had less webbing compared to its sister species, the Common Rock Frog, and that it occurred higher up on the ridges.

Dr Doughty said the Chattering Rock Frog was endemic to the Kimberley region and that it was unlikely to be affected by the imminent invasion of the cane toads.

‘Although cane toads will be in the territory in two to three years, they are unlikely to impact on this frog species as the habitat is completely different - grasslands versus rocks,’ he said.

Kimberely Research Project
The Kimberley research work is part of the Alcoa Frog Watch program, a successful partnership between Alcoa of Australia and the Museum. Alcoa Frog Watch is dedicated to providing information on all aspects of Western Australian frogs. This includes the current research in the Kimberley, education programs, building frog-friendly gardens, live frog displays, a tadpole exchange program and public talks.

For further information about Western Australia’s frogs, people can visit the Alcoa Frog Watch website on: www.museum.wa.gov.au/frogwatch