Uperoleia fusca Davies, McDonald & Corben, 1986

Size

The dusky toadlet (Uperoleia fusca) grows to 30 mm (1.2 in) in length.

Dorsal Surface Characteristics

Its dorsal back surface can be dark brown or grey-brown, marked with either lighter brown irregular streaks and patches or uniform dark brown; this surface is slightly rough and covered in small warts. A pale triangular marking is usually present on the head, extending from the area between the eyes.

Gland and Armpit Features

There is typically a pale yellow patch in the armpit, and the species has moderately sized parotoid glands.

Ventral Surface Coloration

Its ventral belly surface is white, covered with extensive dark blue or black speckling, and an orange patch appears on the thighs.

Flank Coloration

The flanks are usually bluish in color, which gives the species its characteristic dusky appearance.

Similar Species Comparison

This species is very similar to the smooth toadlet (Uperoleia laevigata), and differences between the two species are discussed on the page for Uperoleia laevigata.

Habitat Range

The dusky toadlet lives in coastal forest, bushland, heathland, and both wet and dry sclerophyll forest.

Breeding Call Timing and Calling Sites

Male frogs call to attract mates during spring and summer, usually from still water sites including dams, swamps, roadside ditches, and flooded grasslands.

Call Characteristics

Like calls of other species in the genus Uperoleia, the call of this species is a short "arrk" sound.

Calling Position

Males call from the base of grass clumps positioned near the water's edge.