Different croaks: different frogs
One of the species has been found to be unique to Hinchinbrook Island. Image: kgrahamjourneys/iStockphoto One species of frog has become three including one unique to Hinchinbrook Island following studies of their genetics and mating calls.Research published by James Cook University’s Dr Conrad Hoskin and colleagues shows that this particular north Queensland rainforest frog really consists of three species.“Even though these three species look and sound quite similar to us as humans, there is very little interbreeding between them,” Dr Hoskin said.“This is in large part due to the degree of genetic difference among them but also probably due to the differences in mating call. They probably don’t find each other attractive or perhaps they don’t even recognize each other as potential mates.”Detailed research on variation in genetics and mating calls across populations of the Ornate Nursery-frog (Cophixalus ornatus) over the past decade has revealed that one species is really three.The Ornate...