Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

Taxobox
name = Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = stable

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. fallax"
binomial = "Litoria fallax"
binomial_authority = Peters, 1880
range_

range_map_caption = Distribution of the Eastern Dwarf Tree FrogThe Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog ("Litoria fallax"), is a small and very common tree frog found on the eastern coast of Australia, from around Cairns, Queensland to around Ulladulla, New South Wales.

Physical description

This is a small species of frogs, females can reach a maximum size of 25-30mm, while males may only reach 20mm when fully grown. It is of variable colour (depending upon temperature and colour of surrounding environment), ranging from fawn to light green on top, and occasionally has black flecks on its back. A white line begins under the eye, and joins the white stomach. A brown line begins from the nostril, and continues through the eye, and between the green (or fawn) and white sections on the top and bottom of the body. This species toe discs are only slightly larger than the toes and toes are 3 quarters webbed. Some individuals will have an orange posterior thigh.

Ecology and behaviour

This frog is associated with a wide variety of habitats including coastal swamps, lagoons, dams, ditches, and garden ponds in forest, heathland, wallum country and cleared farmland. The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog lives in reeds and similar plants both near and away from the water. They often will inhabit banana trees in the Northern areas of Australia, and are sometimes shipped with the bananas throughout Australia. They are known in Australia for becoming lost frogs by turning up in fruit shops outside of their normal range.

ize

The eastern dwarf tree frog is 15-25mm long from snout to the behind. the tadpoles are bigger than the adult frog, with a size of 30mm.

Breeding

Breeding occurs at small ponds or dams, which have a lot of reeds or other emergent vegetation. This species will often breed in temporary water. The call of the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is a short, high pitched, wr-e-e-ek ip-ip, repeated three or four times. They emit their call from a single submandibular vocal sac. The males call during the spring and summer seasons, often before and after heavy rain.

Approximately 200-300 eggs are laid at each amplexus and clumps of spawn contain up to 35 eggs. The minimum tadpole lifespan is 118 days, at a consist temperature of 20°C. Metamorphosis occurs from January to March, the metamorphs resemble tha adults and are very small only 9-13mm in length.

imilar Species

This species is a member of the Dwarf Tree Frog complex. As well as this species this species complex is comprised of the Northern Dwarf Tree Frog ("Litoria bicolor"), Cooloolah Tree Frog ("Litoria coololensis"), and Wallum Sedge Frog ("Litoria olongburensis"). All of these species are similar in size (smaller than 30mm) and have a similar ratchet like call. The species along the east coast often inhabit coastal wallum and acid swamps. Most of these species have more than one common name, with a least one name containing "dwarf tree Frog".

References

* Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
*Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
*Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney. [http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=152|Frogs Australia Network] -frog call available here.

Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia Harold G. Cogger (1975)

Australian Frogs A Natural History Michael J. Tyler (1994)