Perhaps 50 or more tadpoles in the area but I couldn't be sure they were all the same species, the pool was also shared with what seems to be a mountain galaxias (Galaxias olidus)
Does anyone know if and how the two subspecies can be distinguished when they are late stage tadpoles? Given the location/altitude and pattern of developing colouration, I might have be tempted to suggest the alpine subspecies if they weren’t so uncommon.
Anstis, Marion does suggest the later tadpole stages for L.v.a. have a green 'mid-dorsal stripe'. See her amazing book. p. 160 (paperback edition 2007), Book is available at the ANBG Bookshop. Anstis (2007) 'Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. A Guide with Keys'.
Thanks Ian, it has been more than 20 years since I've seen adults of L. v. alpina and that was what I first thought of when I saw the animal in the fourth image. It seems from your comment that the pattern of colouration for these tadpoles is consistent with the description in the Anstis book for L. v. alpina.
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