Mountain Stream Tree Frog

Mountain Stream Tree Frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae
Genus:	Litoria
Species:	L. barringtonensis
Binomial name
Litoria barringtonensis Copland, 1957
Distribution of the Mountain Stream Tree Frog

The Mountain Stream Tree Frog, (Litoria barringtonensis) is a species of tree frog native to highland areas of NSW, Australia stretching from the Myall Lakes area, north to around Dorrigo National Park and west to Barrington Tops National Park.

Taxonomy

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.

Physical description

The Mountain Stream Tree Frog is a relatively small tree frog growing up to 45 mm in length. It is light green to dark/olive green on the dorsal surface and sometimes brown morphs are encountered. The thighs are a mango-yellow colour and the belly is off-white. There is a pale brown (almost light yellow) stripe that runs from the nostril, through the eye, over the tympanum and down to the shoulder where the line widens and dissipates. Randomly placed black dots are scattered over the dorsal surface. Metamorphs closely resemble the adults although they are mostly brown in colour. The tadpoles of the L. phyllochroa complex (Leaf Green Tree Frog L. phyllochroa, Pearson's Green Tree Frog L. pearsoniana, Southern Leaf Green Tree Frog L. nudidigitus and Mountain Stream Tree Frog L. barringtonensis) are very similar in appearance and are very hard to tell apart. Range is best used to distinguish the species.

Ecology and behaviour

This species inhabits flowing creeks in mountainous areas, in rainforests and adjacent wet sclerophyll forests, as its name suggests. Males call from stream side vegetation during spring and summer, the call is similar to that of Litoria phyllochroa.

This species is rarely described in field guides due to its similarity to the Pearson’s Green Tree Frog and due to the taxonomy being under review.

As a pet

It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

References

• Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney. (under Litoria pearsoniana)
• Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Mountain Stream Tree Frog
• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists