Comprehensive DescriptionRead full entry
Diagnosis: Telmatobufo australis lacks an interocular yellow area, which distinguishes the species from T. bullock. It is also characterized by two yellow paravertebral lines, longer legs, larger choanae, reduced webbing of the toes, dorsal corneal spines in the adult and thinner limbs (Formas 1972).
Description: T. australis is a robust, toad-like frog, with long, slender limbs. Adults attain lengths of about 40 - 77 mm in SVL (Formas 1972; Formas et al. 1979). The head is round in dorsal view, slightly wider than long, and comprises 48% of the SVL. The parotoid glands are large and oval. The pupils are vertical and the tympanum is indistinct. Individuals possess maxillary and premaxillary teeth as well as provomerine teeth. The skin on the back is smooth with various sized and shaped glands. The heel of the adpressed hind limb reaches the middle of parotoid (Formas 1972).
Tadpole morphology: The larvae are of the "mountain stream type" (Orton, 1953), and attain lengths of up to 49 mm in total length with the tail being slightly longer than body length at stage 27. The eyes are situated dorsally. The mouth is broad, as wide as maximum body width, ventrally located, and completely surrounded by 2 or 3 rows of papillae. The dorsal and ventral tail fin is most extensive on the posterior of the tail (Formas 1972). At the completion of metamorphosis, juveniles are around 35 mm SVL. (Formas et al. 2001)
Coloration: Adults have a dark grey dorsum and limbs, with two white or yellow paravertebral lines. The venter is translucent grey. Juveniles are dark green with yellow dorsal stripes. Larvae are dark brown dorsally and white ventrally (Formas 1972).
Variation: The parotoid gland of juveniles is more rounded than in adults and corneal spines are absent. (Formas 1972). Webbing of the toes may also vary (Formas and Pugin 1979).