Live Litoria raniformis (Anura: Hylidae) in New Zealand caves: a ‘smuggler's’ dispersal route?

Abstract

Live golden bell frogs Litoria raniformis are reported from the dark zone of caves in Hawke's Bay. Circumstances possibly leading to this distribution are discussed. The suggestion is made that such events are not rare and that individuals could survive to reach the surface again, in a different habitat or watershed.

Keywords:

• Litoria raniformis
• cave fauna
• trogloxene
• Hylidae
• dispersal
• distribution
• golden bell frog