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Photo: Pady Ryan, Ryan Photographic |
As giant meat-eating lizards began to stomp through the jungles, frightening the life out of their prey, small species of frog already inhabited the planet. New Zealand was then just floating away from Gondwanaland and the frogs, not needing to evolve, didn't. So they sat there with their unique features;
- round rather than slit eyes,
- hatching straight into an almost fully-formed frog instead of tadpoles,
- no external ear drums, and
- not croaking regularly like most other frogs.
Scientists believe that these frogs evolved about 200 million years ago, making them as unique as the tuatara, and the most ancient frog species in the world. They are small, nocturnal, and camouflage themselves well making them very hard to see.
This is the smallest of New Zealand’s native frogs, growing up to 37mm long. In September 2001 the Archey's frog population was found infected with the chytrid fungus, believed to be responsible for a rapid decline in a number of species.
Breeding and Lifecycle
It does not go through a tadpole stage, but instead the embryo develops within a gelatinous capsule derived from an egg, then hatches as an almost fully-formed frog and therefore does not need standing or running water for reproduction. The male Archey's frog may carry his young offspring around on his back.
Habitat and Distribution
Found only in the Coromandel and in one site west of Te Kuiti in misty, moist areas around 400m in altitude. Archey's frogs are very dependent on a damp environment however, and quickly dry out and die if placed in a dry place.
Diet
They become active at night and feast on small insects, worms and other invertebrates.
Threats to Survival
New Zealand native frogs were once spread throughout both the North and South Islands. The four remaining species have declined significantly in range and in numbers, as land has been cleared of forest and predators have been introduced. Frogs are vulnerable to many introduced predators such as rats and cats.
Forestry and agriculture also take a major toll on frog populations and roads and agricultural fields are significant barriers to amphibian’s movement. The apparently safe herbicide "Roundup" is extremely toxic to tadpoles and adult frogs and can cause developmental abnormalities or fatalities. This herbicide is widely used by farmers, foresters and gardeners in New Zealand.
Chytrid fungus was first detected in Canterbury in November 1999, by September 2001 it was detected in frogs in the Coromandel region. The spread of this fungus poses a serious threat to this nationally critical species.
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