Striped swamp frog, Limnodynastes peronii

Detailed introduction

The Striped Marsh Frog ( Limnodynastes peronii ) is a medium-sized frog widely distributed in eastern Australia, belonging to the genus Limnodynastes in the family Limnodynastidae. It is a very common member of the "marsh frog family," known for its longitudinal stripes on its back and its loud "pot-knocking" call, and is frequently found in garden ponds, farmland ditches, and natural wetlands.

Classification and nomenclature

• Chinese reference name: Striped Swamp Frog (common translation, also translated as Striped Swamp Frog, etc.);

• English name: Striped Marsh Frog;

• Scientific name: Limnodynastes peronii ;

• Family: Limnodynastidae → Limnodynastes .

Appearance and Identification Features

The striped swamp frog is medium-sized and sturdy, with very prominent longitudinal stripes on its back.

• Size: Adults are typically 5–7 cm long, with females generally slightly larger than males;

• Body shape: The body is stout and slightly oval, with a wide and flat head, giving an overall impression of being "short, fat and sturdy";

• Back color: The base color of the back is mostly brown, olive brown or grayish brown;

• Longitudinal stripes: The back usually has several dark or light longitudinal stripes or bands from the head to the back of the body, which is one of the most distinctive identifying features;

• Spots: In addition to longitudinal stripes, dark brown spots or patches are often scattered on the back and sides of the body;

• Abdomen: The abdomen is milky white, light gray, or light yellow, and may have a few spots;

• Skin texture: The skin on the back is relatively smooth or has a few small warts, unlike the rough skin of a toad;

• Limbs: The limbs are strong, the hind limbs are well-developed, and the toes have relatively obvious webbed membranes, which are adapted to swimming and activities in shallow water;

• Tympanic membrane: The tympanic membrane is clearly visible and located behind the eye.

Distribution range and habitat

The striped swamp frog is one of the common frog species in the coastal and near-inland areas of eastern Australia .

• It is widely distributed in eastern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of South Australia and Tasmania;

• It can be found in a variety of wetland environments, from coastal plains to inland lowlands.

Typical habitats include:

• Natural marshes, ponds, lake edges, and floodplain wetlands;

• Irrigation ditches, dams, and low-lying waterlogged areas in grasslands;

• City parks, garden ponds, drainage channels, and artificial wetlands.

Lifestyle

The striped swamp frog is a nocturnal, semi-aquatic frog .

• During the day, they mostly hide in the grass by the water, under rocks, fallen trees, or in caves to avoid the light and rest.

• They are most active from dusk to night, especially on warm, humid nights or after rain.

• They often move between shallow water, muddy ground, and damp grasslands, frequently entering and exiting water and land.

vocal characteristics

The striped swamp frog has a very distinctive call, which is an important clue for identifying this species:

• The call of male frogs is often described as sounding like striking metal or "banging on a pot," making repeated "tok... tok... tok..." or "dong... dong..." syllables;

• During the breeding season, dozens or even hundreds of male frogs sing together at night in ponds, swamps or garden pools, creating a very noisy chorus.

• The calls often come from the water or from vegetation along the water's edge, and are especially frequent on rainy nights.

feeding habits

The striped swamp frog feeds on various small invertebrates:

• Terrestrial insects, such as ants, small beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, etc.;

• Mosquitoes, midges, and other small flying insects that live near bodies of water;

• Larvae and other arthropods that inhabit damp soil, fallen leaves, and muddy waterside areas.

Reproduction and Development

The reproduction of the striped swamp frog is closely related to rainfall and water conditions:

• The breeding season usually occurs during warm, rainy seasons, or when there is excessive rainfall over a period of time.

• Male frogs call out to attract female frogs near ponds, swamps, farmland irrigation ditches, and garden pools.

• Female frogs lay their eggs on the water surface or in shallow water near the edge, often forming egg masses with foam or egg clusters floating on the water surface;

• Tadpoles develop in water and can grow to a relatively large size. They require a relatively stable body of water to successfully complete metamorphosis.

• After metamorphosis, the young frogs leave the water and live in the surrounding moist areas.

Protecting the status quo and threats

In the IUCN Red List, the striped swamp frog is assessed as Least Concern (LC) , indicating its widespread distribution and overall population stability.

Potential threats include:

• The filling, drainage, or hardening of some wetlands has led to a reduction in breeding sites;

• Pesticides, fertilizers, and urban pollutants enter water bodies, affecting the health of tadpoles and adult frogs;

• An increase in invasive fish or aquatic predators puts predation pressure on tadpoles.

Overall, the striped swamp frog is highly adaptable and can form stable populations in artificial water bodies and garden ponds in human-modified environments, so it remains quite common in many areas.