The robust bleating tree frog (''Litoria dentata''), also known as Keferstein's tree frog, is a species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. This frog is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to coastal eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, where it ranges from 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 ...

to the NSW/

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_ ...

border. It has also been introduced to

Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island (; formerly Lord Howe's Island) is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It lies directly east of mainland P ...

Taxonomy

Prior to 2021, this species was thought to have a much wider range, from northeastern Victoria to southern Queensland, and was simply known as the bleating tree frog. However, Rowley ''et al'' (2021) distinguished three distinct clades within the species, based on genetic divergence, slight morphological differences, and notable differences in vocalizations; the latter were collected via the FrogID Australia

citizen science Citizen science (CS) (similar to community science, crowd science, crowd-sourced science, civic science, participatory monitoring, or volunteer monitoring) is scientific research conducted with participation from the public (who are sometimes re ...

project. Two new species were described from north and south of ''L. dentata'''s range: the

slender bleating tree frog The slender bleating tree frog (''Litoria balatus''), is a frog in the family Hylidae. It is endemic to Australia, where it is found in Queensland and the Bunya Mountains. This is the " bleating tree frog" that occurs around Brisbane. It was lo ...

(''L. balatus'') to the north and the

screaming tree frog The screaming tree frog (''Litoria quiritatus'') is a species of frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. It is endemic to southeastern Australia, east of the Great Dividing Range. It ranges from northeastern Victoria to the mid-coast of New South ...

(''L. quiritatus'') to the south. This significantly reduced the known range for ''L. dentata'', although it is known to still be a common and adaptable species.

Description

This species can be distinguished from the two species split off from it by its more robust build compared to ''L. balatus'' and a brownish vocal sac that turns dull yellow when fully inflated.

Ecology and behaviour

This frog is associated with coastal lagoons, ponds and swamps, in heathland, sclerophyll forest and cleared farmland. The bleating tree frog is well known for its loud, high-pitched call, which can be painful to humans nearby. Males call from vegetation or ground around the breeding site. Mass breeding and calling can take place on warm, wet, overcast nights during spring and summer.

As a pet

It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

References

* Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Bleating Tree FrogDepartment of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
*Cogger, H.G. 1979. ''Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia''. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD. *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. {{Taxonbar, from=Q307158 Litoria Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians described in 1868 Frogs of Australia