A newly-discovered frog in a New South Wales national park is one of only a handful of known species that store their tadpoles on their bodies.
Researchers from University of Newcastle and the South Australian Museum recently identified the species, found in Wollumbin national park, as distinct from its close relation, another "hip-pocket" or pouched frog Assa darlingtoni, after genetic analysis.
The species was described in scientific journal Zootaxa.
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The frog's habitat, confined to about 2000hc on Wollumbin Mountain, has been granted government protection, NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean confirmed earlier this month.
The new species has been named Assa wollumbin sp.nov. in consultation with Indigenous Elders of the Wollumbin Consultative Group.
Dr Michael Mahony from the University of Newcastle, one of the researchers who described the species, said it was an exciting find.
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"The hip-pocket frog is not only unique for its amazing breeding biology among Australian frogs, but it is also unique among frogs of the world, since there are only four of the 4000 species worldwide that have male parental care where the male carries its developing tadpoles," Dr Mahony said.
NSW Environment Matt Kean said the small population size made the frog species vulnerable to climate change.
"This incredible discovery shows just how much we don't know about the world around us, with this tiny 16mm frog found on just one isolated mountain in the Wollumbin National Park," Mr Kean said.
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