Magnificent tree frog

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Magnificent tree frog
Litoria splendida El Questro.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pelodryadidae
Genus: Ranoidea
Species:
R. splendida
Binomial name
Ranoidea splendida
(Tyler  [ fr ], Davies & Martin, 1977)
Litoria splendida range.PNG
Distribution of the magnificent tree frog

The magnificent tree frog (Ranoidea splendida), also known as the splendid tree frog, is a tree frog species first described in 1977. It has a limited range, only occurring on the north-western coast of Australia in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It has a similar appearance to, and can be confused with, the closely related White's tree frog.

Contents

Description

A juvenile magnificent tree frog, before the development of large parotoid glands Litoria splendida morphling.jpg
A juvenile magnificent tree frog, before the development of large parotoid glands

The magnificent tree frog is a relatively large tree frog, with the males reaching a length (SVL) of 10.4 cm (4.1 in) and the females 10.6 cm (4.2 in). [1] They have olive to bright green dorsal surfaces with white ventral surfaces. The undersides of the feet and legs are bright yellow. Most specimens have white or sulphur-coloured dots on their backs, of varying densities. The older magnificent tree frogs can be distinguished from White's tree frogs by the presence of very large parotoid glands, which cover the entire top of their heads and droop over their tympana. The tympanum is large, almost the size of the eye, and partially obscured by the parotoid gland.

Ecology and behaviour

Magnificent tree frog Splendid tree frog.jpg
Magnificent tree frog

Magnificent tree frogs are native to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and enter caves and rock crevices during the day. Much like the other large tree frogs in Australia, White's tree frog and the giant tree frog, they inhabit areas near humans, and can be found around buildings and in toilets, showers, and water tanks. They are nocturnal, and will hunt and breed at night.

Breeding probably takes place during the wet season. The male's call is very similar to that of White's tree frog, a deep "crawk-crawk-crawk" repeated many times. The breeding habits of the magnificent tree frog have not been extensively studied.

As a pet

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

Related Research Articles

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Eastern dwarf tree frog

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The Australian green tree frog, also known as simply green tree frog in Australia, White's tree frog, or dumpy tree frog, is a species of tree frog native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in the United States and New Zealand, though the latter is believed to have died out. It is morphologically similar to some other members of its genus, particularly the magnificent tree frog (R. splendida) and the white-lipped tree frog (R. infrafrenata).

<i>Ranoidea chloris</i>

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White-lipped tree frog

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Tylers tree frog

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Bleating tree frog

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Growling grass frog

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Whistling tree frog

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Southern brown tree frog

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Dainty green tree frog

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Motorbike frog

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Roths tree frog

Roth's tree frog or the northern laughing tree frog is a tree frog native to northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. Roth's tree frog is a common frog, closely related to Peron's tree frog and Tyler's tree frog.

Desert tree frog

The desert tree frog or little red tree frog is a tree frog native to Australia, southern New Guinea, and Timor. It is one of Australia's most widely distributed frogs, inhabiting northern Australia, including desert regions and much of temperate eastern Australia. It is one of the few Australian tree frogs to inhabit arid, tropical, and temperate climates.

Waterfall frog

The Australian waterfall frog or torrent treefrog is a species of tree frog native to Far North Queensland, Australia. The common name "waterfall frog" is indicative of its habitat of moist, rocky streams, and is often found along waterfalls within its range.

Centralian tree frog

The Centralian tree frog 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, and closely resembles it in appearance.

References

  1. "Litoria splendida (SVL = 118 [mm]) "Gould, John; Beranek, Chad; Valdez, Jose; Mahony, Michael (2020). "Quality versus quantity: The balance between egg and clutch size among Australian amphibians is related to life history and environmental conditions". bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2020.03.15.992495 . Retrieved May 3, 2020.

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