A new species of Uperoleia (Anura: Myobatrachidae) from the northwest Kimberley, Western Australia

Uperoleia is a large genus of small-bodied terrestrial frogs that occur in Australia and southern New Guinea. With ninespecies, the Kimberley region in northern Western Australia is the most diverse. Recent surveys of the northwest coast ofthe Kimberley have revealed a tenth species of Uperoleia. The new species is characterized by a combination of smallbody size, dark and slightly tubercular dorsal skin, basal webbing between the toes, outer metatarsal tubercle spatulateand oriented perpendicular to the foot, possession of maxillary teeth, a broadly exposed frontoparietal fontanelle and theadvertisement call is a high-pitched rasp. All specimens collected have been associated with sandstone boulders orescarpments with flowing water or rock pools. The northwest Kimberley is an isolated region of high rainfall and ruggedterrain that possesses high biodiversity for many plant and animal groups and is therefore worthy of special conservation attention.