Limnodynastes Terraereginae
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The Northern banjo frog (''Limnodynastes terraereginae'') is a species of ground-dwelling burrowing frogs native to eastern
Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...
and northeastern
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
, Australia.


Description

It is a large species of frog reaching 75 mm in length. It is brown above with occasional darker flecks. There is red-orange or scarlet markings in the thigh and flanks, which gives this species it other common name, the Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk. There is a dark band which runs from the snouth to the shoulder. It is underlined by a raised cream to orange bar. The armpit is orange and the belly is white.


Ecology and behaviour

It is a burrowing species and will spend time underground during dry periods. It is associated with dams, flooded areas and ditches in forest, woodland, cleared land or farmland. Males make a high pitched "bonk" call from concealed positions in water after heavy rains from October to May. Eggs are laid in a large floating foamy mass. Tadpoles hatch about 2 to 3 days after laying. Tadpoles are very dark brown and reach 70 mm. Tadpole development takes about 70 days and metamorphs measure 20 mm and resemble the adult, however thigh colouration does not become apparent until about 1 week later.


Similar species

It is similar to the
Eastern banjo frog ''Limnodynastes dumerilii'' is a frog species from the family Limnodynastidae. The informal names for the species and its subspecies include eastern or southern banjo frog, and bull frog.Waite, Edgar R. (1929): ''The reptiles and amphibians of ...
, from which it can be distinguished by the red thigh colouration.


References

* * * * {{Taxonbar, from=Q616694 Limnodynastes Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians described in 1915 Frogs of Australia