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Leiopelma
amphibian genus
- Related Topics:
- Leiopelma hochstetteri
- Leiopelmatidae
Leiopelma, a genus of small New Zealand frogs belonging to family Leiopelmatidae (order Anura). There are three known species, and all are 30 to 40 mm (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. They are the only frogs indigenous to New Zealand and are threatened, persisting only along a few streams and seepage areas in native forest. Although lacking vocal sacs, males attract females with a soft call. Females deposit small clutches of eggs in wet depressions, and the males stand guard. In Leiopelma archeyi and L. hamiltoni, eggs hatch into nonfeeding, large, immobile tadpoles that soon undergo metamorphosis. In L. hochstetteri, ...(100 of 144 words)