| Pearson's Tree Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. pearsoniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria pearsoniana Copland, 1961 |
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| Distribution of the Pearson's Green Tree Frog | |
The Pearson's Tree Frog, (Litoria pearsoniana) is a species of tree frog that inhabits rainforest creeks in from north of Lismore, New South Wales to Kenilworth, Queensland with a disjunct population at Kroombit Tops Queensland, Australia.
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The Mountain Stream Tree Frog, (Litoria barringtonensis) may be conspecific to the Pearson's Green Tree Frog, (Litoria pearsoniana). Morphological differences have not been fully studied yet, however visible physical differences between frogs from Barrington Tops and Dorrigo, New South Wales in comparison to frogs from south-eastern Queensland and northern NSW are discussed in a key on the Leaf Green Tree Frog page. These are representative of frogs described as L. barringtonensis and L. pearsoniana.
The Pearson's Tree Frog is a small tree frog growing up to 45 mm in length. Its dorsal surface can range from being completely light green, to a mixture of green and brown, or mostly brown. There are usually black dots scattered over the dorsal surface, but in some specimens these dots may not occur. The belly is white, or off white. There is a light brown/yellow stripe that starts at the tip of the snout, through the nostril and eye, through tympanum and then widens and dissipates over the shoulder. This line is underlined with a thicker dark brown line. The tympanum of this species is brown or mostly brown, not green. The tadpoles of the L. phyllochroa complex (Leaf Green Tree Frog L. phyllochroa, , Southern Leaf Green Tree Frog L. nudidigitus, Mountain Stream Tree Frog L. barringtonensis and Pearson's Green Tree Frog L. pearsoniana) are very similar in appearance and are difficult to tell apart, range is the best method for distinguishing tadpoles. Frogs are distinguished on the Leaf Green Tree Frog page.
This species inhabits flowing creeks in rainforests and wet scleophyll forest in highland and coastal areas. Males call from creek side vegetation during spring and summer. The call is an eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-ehk, with the 'eh's getting faster towards the end of the call, almost forming a trill.
The taxonomy of this species and the Mountain Stream Tree Frog is currently under review.
It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, but under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992, it is considered Endangered.