Nest-site selection in a terrestrially breeding frog with protracted development

Metamorphosis of larvae of the Australian moss frog (Bryobatrachus nimbus) occurs in a terrestrial nest approximately one year after oviposition. Neither parent attends the eggs, thus selection of an appropriate nest site is critical to egg viability. This study examined the dynamics of nest-site utilisation over six years and the characteristics of nests chosen as oviposition sites. Nest cavities were located at ground level amongst heath within one of 10 species of bryophyte, lichen and lycopod. On average, 2.6% of nests contained a male B. nimbus during daytime monitoring during the breeding season, and 7.3% of nests contained an egg mass. Despite an abundance of potentially suitable nests from previous years, males constructed a small proportion (