Roth's Tree Frog

Roth's Tree Frog
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae
Genus:	Litoria
Species:	L. rothii
Binomial name
Litoria rothii De Vis, 1884

Roth's Tree Frog or Northern Laughing Tree Frog (Litoria rothii) is a tree frog native to northern Australia. Roth's Tree Frog is a common frog, closely related to Peron's Tree Frog (Litoria peronii) and Tyler's Tree Frog (Litoria tyleri).

Physical description

Roth's Tree Frog is a medium sized frog, reaching a maximum length of 5.7 centimetres (2.2 in). The body is elongated, with a small head and large eyes. Roth's Tree Frog is an arboreal frog, and its toe pads are wider than its fingers. The dorsal surface is a dull grey to brown colour, and can be blotched with dark brown. The inner thighs and armpits are black and blotched with bright yellow or orange. The tympanum is visible, with a fold of skin covering the top portion.

Roth's Tree Frog lacks emerald green flecks on the dorsal surface. Also, the upper half of the iris is deep red in Roth's Tree Frog. These two characteristics distinguish it from Perons' Tree Frog and Tyler's Tree Frog.

Ecology and Behaviour

Roth's Tree Frog breeds during the wet season, from November to March. The call is 7-9 loud chuckling or cackling sounds that resemble laughter. Eggs are laid in temporary pools of water, and the tadpoles take a maximum of 65 days to metamorphose.

The colour of Roth's Tree Frog is extremely variable, and can change from pale grey to dark brown within hours. Typically, they are grey during the day whilst basking in the sun, and are brown at night.

References

A dark Roth's Tree Frog with red patches

• Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C. & Tyler, M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 0-949324-61-2. 
• Tyler, Michael J. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Frogs. Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0-207-15996-3
• "Amphibian Species of the World - Litoria rothii (De Vis, 1884)". http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/references.php?id=13739. Retrieved 2006-08-27. 
• "Frogs Australia Network - Australian Frog Database - Litoria rothii - Northern Laughing Treefrog". http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=183. Retrieved 2006-08-27.