List of amphibians of New Zealand facts for kids

Hochstetter's frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri).

All of the amphibians of New Zealand are either from the endemic genus Leiopelma or are one of the introduced species, of which three are extant. Pepeketua is the eponymized Māori word.

Unique characteristics

Members of the genus Leiopelma exhibit a number of basal traits that separate them from most other species. These traits include: vestigial tail-wagging muscles, cartilaginous inscriptional ribs, the presence of amphicoelous vertebrae, and nine presachral vertebrae (most frogs have eight). In addition, Leiopelma lack external ear drums and produce only limited vocalizations.

Species

Native

Scientific name	Common name	Image
Leiopelma archeyi	Archey's frog
Leiopelma hamiltoni	Hamilton's frog
Leiopelma hochstetteri	Hochstetter's frog
Leiopelma auroraensis	Aurora frog	EX
Leiopelma markhami	Markham's frog	EX
Leiopelma waitomoensis	Waitomo frog	EX

Introduced

Scientific name	Common name	Image
Ranoidea aurea	Green and golden bell frog
Ranoidea raniformis	Growling grass frog
Litoria ewingii	Southern brown tree frog

See also

• Environment of New Zealand
• Conservation in New Zealand
• Fauna of New Zealand