An instance of hybridisation between two broadly sympatric Lymnodynastes species

Explosive anuran breeding assemblages often result in interspecific mating. This may result in the formation of natural hybrids, and is common along shared borders of allopatric species. Interspecific mating of broadly sympatric species is less frequently documented. Collection of an apparent hybrid between Limnodynastes dumerilii and Limnodynastes tasmaniensis in Western Sydney prompted investigation of the potential for interbreeding success between them. Only female L. tasmaniensis oviposited eggs. However, the interspecific mating between L. durnerilii and L. tasmaniensis produced fewer eggs, with lower viability than intraspecific coupling. Few naturally occurring hybrids indicate that such animals have reduced fitness.