Because of the fragmented nature of the distribution of A. darlingtoni are combined the conservation assessment is Endangered. meets the conservation criteria for Critically Endangered. The distributions of the two species closely approach within 15 km of each other on the central plug and rim of the caldera of the Tweed Volcano. darlingtoni, has a wider distribution in five geographically disjunct subpopulations along 430 km of the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. nov., is restricted to a single mountain, Wollumbin (= Mount Warning), the eroded cone of an ancient shield volcano-the Tweed Volcano. The first, which we name as a new species, Assa wollumbin sp. Our data support separate species status for each lineage, based on the molecular genetic data. These analyses uncovered two lineages that are genetically distinct in both nDNA and mtDNA analyses and that have low levels of divergence in male advertisement calls and are morphologically cryptic. We established genetic relationships among specimens sampled across the range using phylogenetic analyses of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the nuclear genome and mitochondrial ND2 gene nucleotide sequences.

It is found on several isolated mountain ranges in closed forest habitats, associated with high rainfall and temperate or sub-tropical climates. Males have subcutaneous pouches that open near the hip, and the developing tadpoles are carried in these pouches to post metamorphosis. The hip-pocket frog ( Assa darlingtoni), a small terrestrial myobatrachid frog found in mid-eastern Australia, has a highly derived, unusual, reproductive mode involving a unique form of male parental care. South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, AustraliaĪmphibia, Assa darlingtoni, Anura, Myobatrachidae, mtDNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms, nuclear genome, phylogenetic analysis, conservation status Abstract School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australiaĭepartment of National Parks, Sport and Racing, GPO Box 2454, Brisbane Qld 4001, AustraliaĪustralian Museum, Sydney, 2000, Australia

Frog in pocket