Atlas species information

Habitat

• Coastal forest, shelters beneath rocks and logs.
• Nocturnal.
• Eggs layed on damp soil beneath rocks or logs and guarded by male; development terrestrial, tadpoles and froglets may cling to males back until metamorphosis completed.

Description

• Light fawn to dark brown, or juveniles sometimes greenish, with varying amounts of dark blotching.
• No bright markings on thighs.
• Measures up to 49 mm from snout tip to vent.
• The skin is generally smooth, though some scattered tubercles (small knob-like projections on the skin) occur on the proximal (upper) portions of the thighs and shanks, and some individuals are more warty on their backs than others.

Distribution

• Maud and Motuara Islands.

Notes

• The scientific name is from Te Pakeka, the name that the Ngati Kuia tribe gave to Maud Island, before it was given the modern Maori name of Te Hoiere.
• Lifespan may exceed 30 years.
• Subfossil bones attributable to the Leiopelma hamiltoni species complex have been found in the Waitomo, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and north-west Nelson areas, suggesting that some or all of the members of this group were formerly more widely distributed.
• Maud has around 20,000 individuals, and an additional population established on Motuara Island from a translocation of 300 individuals in 1998; one hundred frogs moved to Long Island in June 2005.
• Initially described as a species separate from Hamilton's frog on basis of allozyme (enzyme/DNA) data, and multivariate analysis of morphometric (size and shape) data; subsequent studies of mitochondrial DNA suggest the population is not as distinctive as was first thought; further research needed.
• Notes about NZ threat classification (Hitchmough, et al 2007): Maud Island: could decline rapidly if chytrid fungus reaches the area.
• Notes about 2008-10 cycle of NZ threat classification for Frogs (Newman et al 2010): Qualifier 'CD' - island biosecurity, translocated Boat Bay and Motuara populations established but Motuara not yet shown to be increasing, Long Island and Karori populations not showing such promising signs.
• Notes about 2012-14 cycle of NZ threat classification for Frogs: (Newman, et al.
• 2013): Varying success of translocation - Long Island probably unsuccessful; Zealandia - survival and probable breeding, but not yet established; Motuara successful.