Jervis Bay tree frog

The Jervis Bay tree frog (Litoria jervisiensis) also known as the curry frog in reference to the odour this frog produces, is a species of Australian frog associated with wallum swampland along the east coast of New South Wales; ranging from the Queensland border to eastern Victoria.

Jervis Bay tree frog
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pelodryadidae
Genus: Litoria
Species:
L. jervisiensis
Binomial name
Litoria jervisiensis
(Duméril & Bibron, 1841)
Distribution of the Jervis Bay Tree Frog
Synonyms
  • Hyla jervisiensis Duméril and Bibron, 1841
  • Hyla oculata Fitzinger, 1861
  • Hyla kreffti Günther, 1863
  • Hyla servesiensis Krefft, 1863
  • Litoria jervisiensis Peters, 1873
  • Hyla jervisiensis Boulenger, 1882
  • Hyla ewingi var. krefftii Fry, 1915
  • Rawlinsonia jervisiensis Wells and Wellington, 1985
  • Rawlinsonia kreffti Wells and Wellington, 1985

Description

This is a moderately large species of tree frog, up to 55 mm in length. It is normally brown in dorsal colour and has a large double band on the back starting from between the eyes and down to the vent; this band may be indistinct in some specimens. It has a dark band starting at the snout and ending at the base of the arms. The armpits are coloured yellow and the thighs red-orange. The iris is golden-brown in colour. Toe discs are large and the toes are webbed.

Taxonomy

Until 1994, this species was not recognised as distinct from the heath frog, Litoria littlejohni. The heath frog is larger in size and has orange instead of yellow in the armpits.

Ecology and behaviour

This species of frog is strongly associated with coastal swamps, particularly wallum swampland. Males call in the cooler months, normally after rain. The call is a three-noted "weep-weep-weep". Breeding tends to take place in larger, permanent water bodies.

See also

References
  • Lemckert; et al. (2004). "Litoria jervisiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004. Retrieved 11 May 2006.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
  • 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.
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