Blue Mountains Tree Frog

Taxobox | name = Blue Mountains Tree Frog
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = stable


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. citropa"
binomial = "Litoria citropa"
binomial_authority = Duméril & Bibron, 1841Verify source|date=July 2008
synonyms = "Litoria jenolanensis" Copland , 1957
range_

range_map_caption = Distribution of the Blue Mountains Tree Frog

The Blue Mountains Tree Frog, ("Litoria citropa") is a species of tree frog native to coastal and highland areas of eastern Australia, from just south of Newcastle NSW, to eastern VIC. The Jenolan Caves Tree Frog, a population formerly separated as "L. jenolanensis", is nowadays included in this species.

Physical Description

This is a moderate sized frog, up to about 60 mm in length. Its dorsal surface is brown with a few darker flecks. There is a dark stripe that runs from the nostril, above the tympanum, to the groin. There is a lighter golden stripe above and adjacent to the dark stripe. The frog normally green on the side of the head (under the eye), side and arms and legs. The amount of green on an individual frog can range from almost none at all to an all green colour morph (see images, both frogs from the same site). The green colour can occasionally be aqua-green. The armpit, thigh, groin and inner section of the foot are bright red-orange in colour. The belly is white.

Ecology & Behaviour

This species is associated with flowing rocky streams in woodland and wet or dry sclerophyll forest. This species has a two part call, the first is a strong "warrrrrk" frollowed by a number a shorter notes, that sound like a golf ball going in a hole. Males call from streamside vegetation and rocks in the stream from spring to summer, normally after heavy rain.

This species is often found in highland areas, especially the Blue Mountains, hence its name. The species "Litoria jenolanensis" is suspected to be genetically the same as this species.

ources

*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=141 Frogs Australia Network] -frog call available here.
* [http://fats.org.au/frogs/frogs/lcitropa.html Frog and tadpole Study Group]
* [http://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Litoria/citropa/ Frogs of Australia]

References

* Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern