Centralian Tree Frog

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

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Hylidae
genus = "Litoria"
species = "L. gilleni"
binomial = "Litoria gilleni"
binomial_authority = Spencer, 1896

The Centralian Tree Frog ("Litoria gilleni") is a large species of tree frog native to a small area in central Australia. It is closely related to the Australian Green Tree Frog ("Litoria caerulea"), and closely resembles it in appearance.

Physical description

The Centralian Tree Frog is a large, tree frog reaching a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in) in females and 6.2 centimetres (2.4 in) in males. The dorsal surface is green or olive green, while the ventral surface is white. The large fold covers the top portion of the tympanum, which is visible. The toe pads are large, the feet webbed and hands are one-third webbed. The only physical feature which can distinguish the Centralian Tree Frog from the Green Tree Frog is a lot of white spots on the dorsal surface. There are many Green Tree Frogs with these spots, however they are generally in the Centralian Tree Frog.

Ecology and behaviour

The habitat of the Centralian Tree Frog are rock gorges with water holes, either permanent or temporary. The frog will hide during the day beneath rocks, and hunt and mate during the cooler night. The call of the Centralian Tree Frog is a slow barking call, similar to the Australian Tree Frog.

The Centralian Tree Frog inhabits the MacDonnell Ranges in central Australia. This confined distribution is not inhabited by the Green Tree Frog, which allows easy identification.

References

*cite web| title=Amphibian Species of the World - Litoria gilleni Spencer, 1896| url=http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/references.php?id=13436| accessdate=2007-01-12
*cite web| title=Frogs Australia Network - Australian Frog Database - Litoria gilleni - Centralian Tree Frog| url=http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=155| accessdate=2007-01-12
*cite book| last=Barker| first=J.| coauthors= Grigg, G.C. & Tyler, M.J.| year=1995| title=A Field Guide to Australian Frogs| publisher=Surrey Beatty & Sons| id=ISBN 0-949324-61-2