Distribution and abundance of hochstetter’s frog, leiopelma hochstetteri

Abstract

The relative abundance of Hochstetter's frog, Leiopelma hochstetteri, in streams throughout its range was surveyed in January 1989. Eighteen streams in 12 localities were populated by frogs. Streams either had plenty of frogs in them or they had none. Population densities of up to 50 frogs/IOO m were estimated. The small size of the frogs, their crypsis, and their habit of hiding under stones may make them difficult to find, but the frogs seem to be more abundant than commonly believed. Streams in the central Coromandel Range at Tokatea Ridge and in the southern Waitakere Range were the most densely populated sites. Watercourses that were silted or lacked forest cover were devoid of frogs. Frogs ranged in size from 13 mm to 47 mm. The largest frogs were all females. © 1990 Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.