Developmental biology of Uperoleia talpa Tyler, Davies & Martin, 1981 (Anura : Myobatrachidae)

Uperoleia talpa is a small fossorial frog restricted to the southwestern po rtion of the Kimberley Division of Western Australia. The frog breeds in th e monsoonal wet season, and lays clumps of eggs in single capsules in ephem eral ponds. Larvae hatch at stage 19. Later-stage larvae have strongly arch ed tail fins, a sinistral spiracle, extremely large, cavernous external nar es and a larval tooth row formula of two upper and three lower rows of labi al teeth. Labial papillae are clearly interrupted both anteriorly and poste riorly. Larval life span is about 71 days. The large and conspicuous extern al nares have been found in a further five species of Uperoleia and are sug gested as a possible diagnostic character for some larvae of the genus.