Archey's Frog

Taxobox
name = Archey's frog
status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=Bell|year=2004|id=11450|title=Leiopelma archeyi|downloaded=11 May 2006 Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is critically endangered, and the criteria used]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Leiopelmatidae
genus = "Leiopelma"
species = "L. archeyi"
binomial = "Leiopelma archeyi"
binomial_authority = Turbott, 1942
range_

range_map_width = 201px
range_map_caption = Distribution of Archey's Frog

Archey's frog, "Leiopelma archeyi", is a New Zealand primitive frog, one of only four belonging to the ancient family Leiopelmatidae. It is named after Sir Gilbert Archey (1890–1974), the former Director of the Auckland Institute. [cite web | url = http://www.amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-genus=Leiopelma&where-species=archeyi | title = "Leiopelma archeyi": Archey's Frog | publisher = AmphibiaWeb | accessdate = 13 June | accessyear = 2006]

It is found only at two sites in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand - the Coromandel Peninsula, and near Te Kuiti. It is the smallest of the four species growing to only about 37 mm long, and is found in misty, moist areas above 400 metres in altitude.

It does not have webbed feet, but has atavistic tail-wagging muscles although it does not have a tail. The eyes are round, not slit, and there is no external eardrum. It does not go through a tadpole stage, but instead develops totally within a gelatinous capsule derived from an egg, and therefore do not need standing or running water for reproduction. The male Archey's frog may carry his young offspring around on his back. Archey's frogs are very dependent on a damp environment however, and quickly dry out and die if placed in a dry place.

Apart from their rarity, Archey's frogs are hard to locate as they are well camouflaged, are nocturnal, and do not croak. They become active at night and feast on small insects, worms and other invertebrates.

They are generally light brown blotched with dark brown. [cite book | author = Chris Mattison | title = Frogs & Toads of the World | publisher = Blandford | location = London, UK | year = 1992 | ID = ISBN 0-7137-2355-6]

Due to its genetic distinctiveness, this species has been selected by EDGE as the number one priority for conservation in a list of 100 endangered species. Detailed information on the species could be found here: http://www.edgeofexistence.org/amphibians/species_info.php?id=546

References