These frogs were once considered to be the same species as the very similar-looking Striped Stream Frog, but differences in their calls gave them away. Then the frogologists realized that the stripeys were found at lower elevation and in different habitats than the potties. Then they realized that they do have a visual distinction: the stripeys have a continuous light stripe starting at the snout, going over the eye, and extending to the rear, whereas the spotties have a broken stripe or none at all.