Dainty Green Tree Frog
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| Dainty Green Tree Frog | ||||||||||||||
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| Litoria gracilenta Peters, 1869 |
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 Distribution of the Dainty Green Tree Frog
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The Dainty Green Tree Frog (Litoria gracilenta) is a tree frog native to eastern Queensland, and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It ranges from northern Cape York in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales, with a small and most likely introduced population in Hornsby Heights in Sydney. It is the faunal emblem of the City of Brisbane[1]
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[edit] Description
The Dainty Green Tree Frog is a slender, medium sized frog, reaching a length of 45 mm. It is a rich green on its dorsal surface, with a yellow ventral surface. It has a coarse, granular skin with bright orange eyes, some speciemens have a light blue ring following the circumference of the eye. The posterior of the thigh is purple-brown and the Tympanum is visible. In most specimens a thin yellow or white line runs from its nostril to its eye, and this distinguishes it from the closely related Red-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria chloris) and Orange-thighed Frog (Litoria xanothmera), which both lack this line. If this feature is lacking the granularity of the dorsal surface and size (L. gracilenta is smaller) will separate it from both Litoria chloris and Litoria xanothmera.
[edit] Ecology and behaviour
The Dainty Green Tree Frog is commonly found in vegetation emerging from the water in streams and swamps, often in temporary water. It is found in a range of habitats including rainforest, woodland and forest. It is commonly found near human developments, in gardens or farms. Due to its common occurrence on fruit and vegetable farms, particularly bananas, it is commonly transported around Australia with fruits or vegetables, frequently becoming a lost frog. This is common among many frog species, and is of concern due to the much faster rate at which it can spread disease.
This species is often only ever seen after heavy rain during spring and summer. The males will call during summer after rain, and the call is a long "waa" or "wee". The eggs are laid in water, and are attached to vegetation. Tadpole development takes approximately 14 weeks. The tadpoles are a dark brown colour, with a clear, yellow tinge on the body wall.
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- Hero et al (2004). Litoria gracilenta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
- Amphibian Species of the World - Litoria Tschudi, 1838. Retrieved on 2005-08-05.
- Frogs Australia Network - Australian Frog Database - Litoria gracilenta - Graceful Treefrog. Retrieved on 2005-08-05.
- Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler,M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 0-949324-61-2.
- Council symbols: Brisbane City Council. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
