Mixophyes australis is closely related to Mixophyes balbus, the Stuttering Frog
Researchers With the University of Newcastle and University of Adelaide as well as the Queensland Museum have described a new species of barred frog from New South Wales, Australia that was once thought to be a single species. The new species, Mixophyes australis is closely related to Mixophyes balbus, the Stuttering Frog. Genome testing determined that Mixophyes balbus, which hails from the North, is genetically different from Mixophyes australis, which lives in South and Central new South Wales to the East Gippsland in Victoria.
Mixophyes australis sp. nov. in life. A) Holotype AMS R188750, Sharpes Creek, Gloucester Top NP, Ross knowles, B) Sharpes Creek, Gloucester Top NP,
C) Gap Creek, Watagan NP, Stephen Mahony, D) Abbots Ck, Olney SF, Stephen Mahony, E) Cockerawombeeba Ck, Hastings Range, Michael Mahony,
F) Cockerawombeeba Ck, Hastings Range, Michael Mahony
The researchers also examined the morphological and acoustic variations of M. balbus, which led them to the conclusion that the species was actually two different species.
The frog grows to just under 3 inches in length, is copper bronze in coloration and sports large eyes with a black line that runs from just above the snout to the back of the jaw. The legs are barred and the back shows irregular spots.
Mixophyes balbus in life. A) Rockadooie Ck, Curramore SF, Michael Mahony, B) Coombadjha Ck, Washpool NP, Stephen Mahony, C ) Washpool NP, Gibraltar Range, Stephen Mahony, D ) Coombadjha Ck, Washpool NP, Stephen Mahony, E) Forestland SF, Stephen Mahony, F) Forestland SF, Stephen Mahony
Because previous conservation assessments were based on a single species, both M. balbus and M. australis are considered endangered by the researchers. This is based on the fragmented distribution of these amphibians. Chytridiomycosis poses a direct threat to these species and evidence has shown that they are susceptible to the fungal disease. The indirect effects of climate change (drought and wildfires) can also have a negative impact on these amphibians. The researchers recommend constant monitoring of the frogs to mitigate the threats that they face.
Frogs Starting To Resist Chytrid Fungus, Study Says
The complete paper, A new species of barred frog, Mixophyes (Anura: Myobatrachidae) from south-eastern Australia identified by molecular genetic analyses, can be read on the Zootaxa website.
