Magnificent tree frog | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Pelodryadidae |
Genus: | Ranoidea |
Species: | R. splendida |
Binomial name | |
Ranoidea splendida | |
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.
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.
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.
It is kept as a pet; in Australia, this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.
The green and golden bell frog, also named the green bell frog, green and golden swamp frog and green frog, is a ground-dwelling tree frog native to eastern Australia. Despite its classification and climbing abilities, it does not live in trees and spends almost all of its time close to ground level. It can reach up to 11 cm (4.5 in) in length, making it one of Australia's largest frogs.
The eastern dwarf tree frog, also known as the eastern sedge-frog, is a small and very common tree frog found on the eastern coast of Australia, from around Cairns, Queensland, to around Ulladulla, New South Wales. Individual frogs of this species are often found elsewhere, having been accidentally relocated by transported fruit boxes. Confirmed sightings of breeding pairs have confirmed their survival in Victoria's cooler climate.
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).
Ranoidea chloris, commonly known as the red-eyed tree frog or orange-eyed tree frog, is a species of tree frog native to eastern Australia; ranging from north of Sydney to Proserpine in mid-northern Queensland.
Peron's tree frog, also known as the emerald-spotted tree frog, emerald-speckled tree frog, laughing tree frog, and maniacal cackle frog, is a common Australian tree frog of the family Pelodryadidae.
The white-lipped tree frog is found in Australia and is the world's largest tree frog. Other common names include the New Guinea treefrog, giant tree frog, and Australian giant treefrog.
Tyler's tree frog or the southern laughing tree frog is an arboreal tree frog. It is native to eastern Australia. It occurs from southeast Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales. It is generally a coastal species and is not found inland.
The bleating tree frog, also known as Keferstein's tree frog, is a tree frog in the family Pelodryadidae. This frog is native to coastal eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland, to around Eden, New South Wales.
The growling grass frog, also commonly known as the southern bell frog, warty swamp frog and erroneously as the green frog, is a species of ground-dwelling tree frog native to southeastern Australia, ranging from southern South Australia along the Murray River though Victoria to New South Wales, with populations through Tasmania. This species' common names vary between states; the name southern bell frog applies to New South Wales, growling grass frog in Victoria and South Australia, and green and gold frog in Tasmania. This species has been introduced to New Zealand.
The whistling tree frog or Verreaux's tree frog is a frog occurring in Australia. It has been divided into two subspecies, the nominate Verreaux's tree frog and the Verreaux's alpine tree frog. The alpine tree frog is restricted to the southern alps of New South Wales and Victoria. Verreaux's tree frog is widespread throughout south-eastern Queensland, coastal and highland regions of New South Wales, and south-eastern Victoria.
The southern brown tree frog, also known as the brown tree frog, whistling tree frog, or Ewing's tree frog, is a species of tree frog native to Australia: most of southern Victoria, eastern South Australia, southern New South Wales from about Ulladulla—although this species is reported to occur further north—and throughout Tasmania including the Bass Strait Islands, in which state it is the most frequently encountered frog. It has been introduced to New Zealand, where it can be locally abundant.
The dainty green tree frog, also known as the graceful tree frog, is a tree frog native to eastern Queensland, and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It ranges from northern Cape York in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales, with a small and most likely introduced population in Hornsby Heights in Sydney. It is the faunal emblem of the City of Brisbane.
The striped rocket frog, or in its native range known as the rocket frog, occurs mostly in coastal areas from northern Western Australia to around Gosford in New South Wales at its southernmost point, with a disjunct population occurring further south at the Sydney suburb of Avalon. It also inhabits the southern lowlands and south east peninsula of Papua New Guinea.
Littlejohn's tree frog, also called a heath frog or orange-bellied tree frog, is a species of tree frog native to eastern Australia from Wyong, New South Wales, to Buchan, Victoria.
The motorbike frog is a ground-dwelling tree frog of the family Pelodryadidae found in Southwest Australia. Its common name is derived from the male frog's mating call, which sounds similar to a motorbike changing up through gears; it is also known as Moore's frog, the western bell frog, western green and golden bell frog, and western green 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.
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.
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.
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.