Green Thighed Frog

Taxobox | name = Green Thighed Frog


status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. brevipalmata"
binomial = "Litoria brevipalmata"
binomial_authority = Tyler, Martin and Watson, 1972
range_

range_map_caption = Range of the Green Thighed FrogThe "Green Thighed Frog", ("Litoria brevipalmata") is a medium sized species of ground-dwelling tree frog.

Distribution

The Green Thighed Frog is native to the east coast of Australia. Their range stretches from Cordalba State Forest in south-eastern Queensland to Ourimbah in New South Wales; however within this area populations area severely fragmented. There are several records from Darkes Forest, south of Sydney, but these are erroneous. Numbers have decreased at Ourimbah but there have been no record of declines or disappearances elsewhere. It is believed that they occupy an area of less than 500km²; this has led to them being listed as endangered on the [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/12144/all IUCN RedList of Threatened Species]

Physical description

The dorsal surface is chocolate brown with darker flecks. The ventral surface is white or pale yellow and peppered with fine dark spots over the throat. There is a thick stripe that runs from the snout, through the eye and tympanum and then breaks up into blotches on the flanks. The margin of the upper jaw is marked with white, this stripe continues to the base of the arm. The armpits are marked with lime green or yellow. The backs of the thighs and groin are bright blue, green or blue-green with black mottling. The tympanum is distinct and finger and toe pads are medium sized. The fingers are free from webbing and the toes are one-third webbed. The iris is dark brown with a golden crescent in the upper half. The legs are shorter compared to other ground-dwelling hylids.

Ecology & behaviour

The Green Thighed Frog inhabits areas of rainforest, wet sclerophyll and open forests. Breeding occurs from September to May after heavy rains. The call is a series of "quack" or "wok" sounds that may last for up to 2 minutes. 300 to 600 eggs are deposited in temporary pools and flooded areas and are laid in clumps among waterweed at the waters surface.

imilar species

Green Thighed Frog are unlikely to be confused with any other species because of the bright colours in the groin and on the thighs and the lack of toe webbing.

References

*Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler,M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons.
* [http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=135 Frogs Australia Network - "Litoria brevipalmata"] - call available here
* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/12144/all "Litoria brevipalmata"] (Accessed 2006/08/25)