Waterfall frog
| Waterfall frog | |
|---|---|
| File:Litoria nannotis.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Ranoidea |
| Species: | R. nannotis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ranoidea nannotis (Andersson, 1916)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Australian waterfall frog or torrent treefrog (Ranoidea nannotis) 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.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]The waterfall frog is one of the four species of Australian torrent treefrogs that comprise the Ranoidea nannotis species group. The other species are the mountain mist frog, common mist frog, and the armoured mist frog.[1]
Description
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The waterfall frog is large in size, reaching 5.5 cm in length. The dorsal surface is mottled with puck brown. The patterning on the back is similar to its habitat, allowing for effective camouflage against granite. The ventral surface is bright orange, green, and pink in colour, and granular. The posterior ventral surface is translucent, showing internal parts.
The toe pads of R. nannotis are very large in comparison to toe width, to aid in gripping to rocks in the rapids. The nuptial pads of breeding males are also large, covering the entire inner surface of the thumb, with spines also present on the arms and chest. The tympanum is not visible, the fingers are partially webbed, and the toes are completely webbed.
Like the stoney creek frog (Litoria wilcoxi), and many other stream-dwelling frogs, waterfall frogs lack vocal sacs. This may be because the sound of a running stream drowns out any calls, and it becomes a waste of energy.
Ecology and behavior
[edit | edit source]The waterfall frog is a stream-dwelling frog native to tropical north Queensland, from Paluma to Cooktown, notable in the Mt. Carbine uplands. It is found at altitudes between 180 and 3,000 m (590 and 9,840 ft). It has undergone large declines in high-altitude areas (likely from chytridiomycosis), with many populations completely extinct. It is, however, stable in lowland areas.
Conservation status
[edit | edit source]It is listed as Least concern under both the IUCN Red List.
References
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- Cunningham, M. 2002. Identification and evolution of Australian torrent treefrogs. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 48(1):93-102. Brisbane, Qld.
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Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Hodgkison, Simon, Hero, Jean-Marc. 2001. Daily Behavior and Microhabitat Use of the Waterfall Frog, Litoria nannotis in Tully Gorge, Eastern Australia. Journal of Herpetology. 35(1):116-120.
External links
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- Litoria nannotis at CalPhotos
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