(don't forget to collect the clues to GC2PZKF The
Rarest Frog of All)
Archey's Frog
(Leiopelma
archeyi)
Archey’s Frog Leiopelma archeyi (CR) is the
smallest of the indigenous species (<38 mm). They are restricted
to two regions on the North Island of New Zealand, occurring on the
Coromandel Peninsula and the Whareorino Forest, west of Te Kuiti.
In both of these areas, it occurs sympatrically with Leiopelma
hochstetteri. They prefer to live at a relatively high
altitude from about 400-1000 m in moist native forest; they are
terrestrial and nocturnal, spending most of the day hidden under
stones or logs away from streams or creeks. Leiopelma
archeyi is a terrestrial breeder, laying a small clutch of
eggs in a moist site under stones or logs. They exhibit parental
care with the tailed froglets remaining on their father’s
back for several weeks until metamorphosis is nearly complete.
Populations of this species have crashed in recent years with
monitored populations decreasing by 88% over the 1996-2001
period.
Several factors, including the severity and rapidity of the
population crash, the geographic spread of the decline (from south
to north), and the discovery of frogs with chytridiomycosis (caused
by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), all point to disease
being the major cause of the decline. A breeding facility has
recently been opened at Auckland Zoo with the intention of
producing a self-sustaining captive population. A top priority of
the New Zealand Native Frog Recovery Group is to investigate ways
of preventing further declines of this species.This frog is listed
as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Cache is suitbale cammoed, no room for swaps, please bring your
own pen. Stealth required - potential high muggle, residential
area.
(Once you've found all the clues, head to GC2PZKF to solve the
mystery.)