Description
Austrochaperina novaebrittaniae was previously included within Sphenophryne mehelyi (Tyler, 1967) until described by Zweifel (2000) as its own species. A. novaebritanniae is a small species ranging from 19 mm SVL in males to 21 in females. The snout is bluntly rounded when viewed dorsally and rounded/slightly projecting when viewed laterally. The nostrils are laterally placed and slightly visible dorsally. The loreal region is flat and moderately sloped. Eyes are laterally placed, large, and have an eyelid width 75% of the interorbital space. Relative finger lengths are 3>2=4>1, with the first digit one-half the length of the second. Toes are unwebbed and have relative lengths of 4>3>5>2>1 with discs larger than those on fingers. Supratympanic fold is weak. A. novaebritanniae is an almost dark ground color with white spots/flecks. In preservative, ground color appears tan. Ventral surfaces are slightly paler with a uniform pattern of pale spots.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Papua New Guinea

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

The only known localities for this species are at the northern end of New Britain.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
May be in danger; Tyler (1967) found this species along with many others in high density under logs and other hiding places due to recent clearing of primary rainforest. Habitat in danger.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss
Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities
Urbanization

References

Tyler, M. J. (1967). ''Microhylid frogs of New Britain.'' Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 91, 187-190.

Zweifel, R.G. (2000). ''Partition of the Australopapuan Microhylid frog genus Sphenophryne with descriptions of new species.'' Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 253, 1-130.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2004 Austrochaperina novaebritanniae <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/6402> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Oct 11, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 11 Oct 2024.

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