This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2021) |
The Blue Mountains tree frog (Ranoidea citropa) also called the variegated river tree frog is a species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. It is endemic to southeastern Australia and is found in eastern Victoria and in southeastern New South Wales. The Jenolan Caves tree frog, a population formerly separated as Litoria jenolanensis, is nowadays included in this species.[1][2]
| Blue Mountains tree frog | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Ranoidea |
| Species: | R. citropa
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| Binomial name | |
| Ranoidea citropa (Péron, 1807)
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| Distribution of the Blue Mountains tree frog | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Description
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This is a moderate-sized frog, up to about 60 mm (2.4 in) in length. Its dorsal surface is brown with a few darker flecks. There is a dark stripe that runs from the nostril, above the tympanum, to the groin. There is a lighter golden stripe above and adjacent to the dark stripe. Their head, arms, legs, and the side of their body are green in colour. The amount of green on an individual frog can range from almost none at all to an all green colour morph. The green colour can occasionally be aqua-green. The armpit, thigh, groin, and inner section of the foot are bright red-orange in colour. The belly is white.[3]
Ecology and behaviour
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This species is associated with flowing rocky streams in woodland and wet or dry sclerophyll forest. This species has a two-part call, the first is a strong warrrrrk followed by several shorter notes, that sound like a golf ball going in a hole. Males call from streamside vegetation and rocks in the stream from spring to summer, normally after heavy rain.
This species is often found in highland areas, especially the Blue Mountains, hence its name.
The Blue Mountains tree frog is a host of Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mesocoelium.[4] It is also preyed upon by the Australian copperhead.[4]
As a pet
editIt can be kept as a pet[5] in Australia, in captivity with the appropriate permit.
Diet
editTree frogs generally eat a variety of insects; in captivity, they eat gut-loaded crickets, their own tadpoles, guppies, spiders, and worms.
Sources
edit- Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
- Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.
- Frogs Australia Network-frog call available here.
- Frog and tadpole Study Group
- Frogs of Australia
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
References
edit- ^ a b c Jean-Marc Hero, Frank Lemckert, Peter Robertson (2004). "Litoria citropa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T41084A10385701. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T41084A10385701.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Ranoidea citropa (Péron, 1807)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Litoria citropa (Blue Mountains Tree Frog)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ a b "Blue Mountains Tree Frog Interactions". GLOBI. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ Mark Davidson. 2005. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. ISBN 0-9758200-0-1
