Austrochaperina brevipes explained

Austrochaperina brevipes is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea and known only from two localities, Mount Victoria and Myola Guest House in the Owen Stanley Range. Common name Victoria land frog has been suggested for it.

Description

Austrochaperina brevipes is a stocky, relatively broad-headed frog. Males grow to 24mm and females 28mm in snout–vent length. Males appear to reach maturity at about 20mm and females at about 22mm SVL. The dorsum is reddish brown, brown, or yellowish brown. There is a yellow vertebral line.

This species probably breeds through direct development. A male was found attending 14 eggs, whereas a female of 22.9mm contained ten eggs.

Habitat and conservation

The species' natural habitat is montane rainforest where they live in leaf litter and beneath logs. The threats to this poorly known species are unknown; this frog has not been seen since 1987.