Adelotus brevis

Detailed introduction

The tusked frog ( Adelotus brevis ) is a small to medium-sized, native Australian frog with distinct sexual dimorphisms. It belongs to the genus Myobatrachidae (Tusked Frog). The male has bony protrusions on its lower jaw resembling small tusks, which it uses to push and butt other males during fights, hence its name "tusked frog."

Classification and nomenclature

• Chinese reference name: Fanged Frog (general translation);

• English name: Tusked Frog;

• Scientific name: Adelotus brevis ;

• Family: Myobatrachidae → Genus: Adelotus

Appearance and Identification Features

The tusked frog may look like an ordinary terrestrial frog, but the male's oral cavity and head structure are quite unique:

• Size: Adults are generally about 3-5 cm in length, belonging to small to medium-sized frogs;

• Sexual differences: Male frogs have wider heads and paired bony protrusions ("fangs") on their lower jaws, while female frogs have almost none or very little protrusion.

• Body shape: The body is slightly flat, the head is relatively wide, and the snout is relatively short;

• Back color: mostly dark brown, grayish brown or blackish hues, often with irregular dark spots or cloud-like spots, which helps to camouflage in damp fallen leaves and soil.

• Abdomen: The abdomen is lighter in color, and may be light gray, milky white, or slightly patterned.

• Skin texture: The skin on the back is slightly rough with small warts, but not as rough as that of a toad;

• Limbs: The limbs are of medium length. The hind limbs are good for short-distance jumping, while the forelimbs are relatively strong and adapted to pushing and fighting between male frogs.

Distribution range and habitat

The tusked frog is a species endemic to the wet regions of eastern and southeastern Australia .

• They are mainly distributed in the coastal and near-inland areas from southeastern Queensland to New South Wales;

• It can also be found in some humid mountain forests and hilly areas.

Typical habitats include:

• Moist forests, rainforests, and moist sclerophyllous forests near the stream;

• A streamside environment with fallen leaves, fallen trees, and rocks in valleys and ravines;

• The surface and leaf litter around puddles, mud pits and temporary water accumulation areas.

Lifestyle

The tusked frog is a nocturnal, terrestrial frog .

• During the day, they mostly hide under fallen leaves, fallen trees, in crevices between rocks, or in caves along stream banks;

• They come out at dusk and night, slowly crawling or hopping short distances around damp woodlands, streams and puddles.

• They are more active during the wet season and on rainy nights.

vocalizations and behavior

• During the breeding season, male frogs will make short, low calls in waterholes or streams to attract females and to declare their territory.

• Males will use their lower jaw "fangs" and strong forelimbs to engage in close combat, butting and pushing each other;

• This "armed melee" behavior is relatively rare among frogs and is a distinctive feature of the tusked frog.

feeding habits

Like most terrestrial frogs, the tusked frog primarily feeds on small invertebrates:

• Surface insects, such as beetles, ants, and crickets;

• Larvae, small spiders, and other arthropods in the damp leaf litter;

• Occasionally, they prey on insects and other small invertebrates that pass by the water.

Reproduction and Development

• The breeding season usually corresponds to the local rainy season or wet period;

• Male frogs call out to attract female frogs in shallow puddles, still water areas by streams, or near temporary puddles.

• Female frogs lay their eggs in shallow water or in moist microenvironments close to water bodies. Some species of the ground frog family will use foam nests or hidden puddles to protect their eggs.

• Tadpoles develop in shallow water, and after metamorphosis, the young frogs return to live in the surrounding woodlands and leaf litter.

Protecting the status quo and threats

In the IUCN Red List, the tusked frog is currently generally assessed as Least Concern (LC) , indicating that its overall population is relatively stable.

Potential threats include:

• Stream and wet forest habitats are shrinking and fragmenting due to logging, agriculture, or urban expansion;

• Water pollution and hydrological changes affect the quality of breeding ponds and streams;

• Climate change is altering rainfall patterns, impacting the stability of wet habitats.

Protecting stream corridors, reducing deforestation, and controlling pollution can help sustain the long-term survival of the tusked frog and other ground frog species.