The secret social life of a threatened NZ frog

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-11-04 03:00

New Zealand

New Zealand’s native Hamilton’s frog is a threatened species, but it appears to be one with a busy social life. In the most in-depth study yet of any native NZ frog's socialising, zoologists assessed captive frogs’ retreat patterns - where they shelter, hide or breed - finding frogs mingled much more than expected. The amphibians also preferred to hang out in specific pairs and chose to avoid others. The authors say cohabitating in communal retreat sites may be a key element of this frog’s biology but larger studies are needed.

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From:

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Otago

Funder: Acknowledgements: We greatly acknowledge the late Phil Bishop who tragically passed away in January of 2021. Phil dedicated his professional life to the study and conservation of amphibians worldwide and significantly contributed to the ongoing conservation efforts of New Zealand’s endangered frogs. We would also like to thank The University of Otago for the housing and care of the native frogs and for funding this study as well as two anonymous reviewers that provided helpful feedback on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

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