November 4, 2009 08:43 by
AlanThe recent storm activity seems to have stimulated some amphibian action within the Forest Gallery’s frog enclosures. Spawning has occurred in both enclosures, and egg-masses from two different species will be transported into our back-of-house facilities. This is to ensure that we safely manage the young tadpoles when they emerge.
One egg-mass belongs to Pobblebonk frogs (Limnodynastes dumerilii). They create a distinctive foamy mass which floats on the water with the eggs protected within it. The tadpoles wriggle down into the water when they emerge. The other spawning occurred in the enclosure housing Rocky River Tree Frogs (Litoria lesueuri), and Blue Mountains Tree Frogs (Litoria citropa). Since none of our staff observed the spawning, and the eggs and tadpoles of both species look very similar, we won’t be able to determine which species they are until the froglets emerge.
The distinctive floating egg-mass of the Pobblebonk. The black eggs are suspended within the protective foam. Photo: Alan Henderson, Source: Museum Victoria
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