| Waterfall Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. nannotis |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria nannotis Andersson, 1916 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Mosleyia nannotis Wells and Wellington, 1985 |
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The Australian waterfall frog or torrent treefrog (Litoria nannotis) is a species of tree frog native to Far North Queensland, Australia. The common name of "waterfall frog" is indicative of its habitat of moist, rocky streams, and is often found along waterfalls within its range.
Contents |
The waterfall frog is large sized, reaching 5.5 cm in length. The dorsal surface is mottled with puck brown. The patterning on the back is similar to its habitat, allowing for effective camouflage against granite. The ventral surface is bright orange,green and pinkin colour, and granular. The posterior ventral surface is translucent, showing internal parts.
The toepads of L. nannotis are very large in comparison to toe width, to aid in gripping to rocks in rapids. The nuptial pads of breeding males are also large, covering the entire inner surface of the thumb, with spines also present on the arms and chest. The tympanum is not visible, fingers are partially webbed and toes completely webbed.
Like the Stoney Creek Frog (Litoria wilcoxi), and many other stream dwelling frogs, waterfall frogs lack a vocal sac. This is thought to be because the sound of a running stream drowns out any calls, and it becomes a waste of energy. Their call is a low, growling sound.
The waterfall frog is a stream-dwelling frog native to tropical north Queensland, from Paluma to Cooktown, notable in the Mt. Carbine uplands. It is found at altitudes between 180 and 3,000 metres (590 and 9,800 ft). It has undergone large declines in high altitude areas (likely from chytridiomycosis), with many populations completely extinct. It is, however, stable in lowland areas.
It is listed as Endangered under both the IUCN Red List and Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.