Biology:Litoria

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Short description: Genus of amphibians

Litoria
Litoria dentata2.jpg
Bleating tree frog (Litoria dentata)
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Subfamily: Pelodryadinae
Genus: Litoria
Tschudi, 1838
Species

See text

Litoria is a genus of hylid tree frogs, sometimes collectively referred to as Australasian treefrogs.

Description

The species within the genus Litoria are extremely variable in appearance, behaviour, and habitat. The smallest species is the javelin frog (L. microbelos), reaching a maximum snout–to–vent length of 1.6 cm (0.6 in),[1][2] while the largest, the giant tree frog (L. infrafrenata), reaches a size of 13.5–14 cm (5.3–5.5 in).

They are distinguishable from other tree frogs by the presence of horizontal irises, no pigmentation of the eyelids, and their distribution east and south from Wallacea. Over one hundred species are recognised and new species are still being added, such as the Pinocchio frog discovered in 2008 and described in 2019.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

The frogs are native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the Moluccan Islands. The appearance, behaviour and habitat of each species are usually linked. The small, dark-coloured frogs are generally terrestrial and never, or infrequently, climb. The larger green species are usually arboreal, with some only venturing to the ground to breed.

Species

Litoria everetti
Litoria fallax
Litoria jervisiensis
Litoria nasuta

While some former species have been moved to the genera Nyctimystes and Ranoidea, the following are recognised within the genus Litoria:[5]



References

  1. Jean-Marc Hero, Dale Roberts, Paul Horner, Richard Retallick (2004). "Litoria microbelos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T41099A10390183. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T41099A10390183.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41099/10390183. Retrieved 11 November 2021. 
  2. "Javelin Frog Litoria microbelos (Cogger 1966)". 2013. http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/frogwatch/frogs/javelin-frog. 
  3. Newscientist.com
  4. Richards, Stephen J.; Mumpuni, Mumpuni; Günther, Rainer; Oliver, Paul M. (2019-05-14). "Systematics of New Guinea treefrogs ( Litoria : Pelodryadidae) with erectile rostral spikes: an extended description of Litoria pronimia and a new species from the Foja Mountains" (in en). Zootaxa 4604 (2): 335–348. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4604.2.6. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 31717193. 
  5. "Litoria Tschudi, 1838 | Amphibian Species of the World". http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/index.php//Amphibia/Anura/Pelodryadidae/Litoriinae/Litoria. 

Bibliography

  • Frogs of Australia. Litoria genus . Amphibian Research Centre.
  • Frogs Australia Network search: Litoria
  • Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD ISBN:0-589-50108-9
  • Tyler, Michael J. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Frogs. Angus & Robertson. ISBN:0-207-15996-3

Wikidata ☰ Q148916 entry