Distribution and Habitat
Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Australia
Southwest arid zone of Western Australia. Most common along the wheatbelt and adjacent gold
fields from the Murchison River south to Tambellup and east to Jerramungup and Frank Hann
National Park and Lort River.
The extent of occurrence of the species is approximately 157600 km2.
Eastern side of Tarrah Forest, Wandoo Forest, Salmonsum Woodlands.
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors Adults are active on the surface during summer and autumn nights.
Calling begins with winter rains in April or May. Terrestrial egg deposition in burrows in a foam
nest; aquatic tadpole. Between 250 – 700 eggs are laid and hatch 10 days to 4 weeks later.
Tadpoles have been found in ponds of milky and clear water.
Burrows in the banks or under stones on the bed of sandy shallow, ephemeral water courses in
swamps or at the vertical edges of clay pans.
Trends and Threats Extent of occurrence > 20,000km2 . Area of occupancy equals extent of occurrence. Not
fragmented, large number of small and large populations. Found on east side of Tarrah Forest
and throughout Wuemben of Western Australia. Numerous records from CALM salinity surveys
from pit traps and hearing calling males. Detailed surveys central Wuemben by R.A. Davis.
Threats
May have been affected by vegetation clearing and resultant dry land salinity, but is still
widespread.
Conservation Measures
Protected by W.A. Legislation preventing collection.
Comments Based partly on unpublished data from R.A. Davis, Ph.D. student. Department of Zoology, University
of Western Australia.
References
Barker, J., Grigg, G. C., and Tyler, M. J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty and Sons, New South Wales.
CALM Salinity Action Plan Survey frog collections, which will be deposited in Western Australia Museum Collection.
Tyler, M.J., Smith, L.A., and Johnstone, R.E. (1994). Frogs of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.
Originally submitted by: Jean-Marc Hero et. al. (first posted 2002-04-05)
Edited by: Ambika Sopory, Jean-Marc Hero (2008-09-16)Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Heleioporus albopunctatus: Western Spotted Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/3486> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Jun 30, 2022.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2022. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 30 Jun 2022.
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