The dainty green tree frog (''Ranoidea gracilenta''), also known as the graceful tree frog, is a species of
tree frog
A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia have given rise to treefrogs, although they are not closely relat ...
in the subfamily
Pelodryadinae
Pelodryadinae, also known as Australian treefrogs (although not all members are arboreal), is a subfamily of frogs found in the region of Australia and New Guinea, and have also been introduced to New Caledonia, Guam, New Zealand, and Vanuatu.
...
. It is 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 north-eastern
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 and ranges from northern
Cape York in Queensland to
Gosford
Gosford is the city and administrative centre of the Central Coast Council local government area in the heart of the Central Coast region, about north of Sydney and about south of Newcastle. The city centre is situated at the northern extre ...
in New South Wales, with a small and most likely introduced population in
Hornsby Heights
Hornsby Heights is a suburb of Northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hornsby Heights is located 26 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. The subur ...
in
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
. It is one of two
fauna
Fauna is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is ''flora'', and for fungi, it is '' funga''. Flora, fauna, funga and other forms of life are collectively referred to as '' biota''. Zoo ...
l
emblem
An emblem is an abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person, like a king or saint.
Emblems vs. symbols
Although the words ''emblem'' and '' symbol'' are often use ...
s of the
City of Brisbane
The City of Brisbane is a local government area (LGA) which comprises the inner portion of the metropolitan area of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. Its governing body is the Brisbane City Council. Unlike LGAs in the other mainl ...
.
Description
The dainty green tree frog is a slender, medium-sized frog, reaching a length of . It is a rich green on its dorsal surface, with a yellow ventral surface. It has a coarse, granular skin with bright orange eyes; some specimens have a light blue ring following the circumference of the eye. The posterior of the thigh is purple-brown or maroon and the
tympanum is visible. In most specimens, a thin yellow or white line runs from its nostril to its eye, and this distinguishes it from the closely related red-eyed tree frog (''
L. chloris'') and
orange-thighed frog
The orange-thighed frog (''Ranoidea xanthomera'') is a species of tree frog native to a small area of tropical northern Queensland, Australia. It is a green frog with distinctly orange eyes, and is very similar in appearance to the red-eyed tre ...
(''L. xanthomera''), which both lack this line. If this feature is lacking, the granularity of the dorsal surface and size (''L. gracilenta'' is smaller) will separate it from both ''L. chloris'' and ''L. xanthomera''.
The fingers of ''L. gracilenta'' are three-quarters webbed, while the toes are fully webbed.
[
]
Ecology and behaviour
The dainty green tree frog is commonly found in vegetation emerging from the water in streams and swamps, often in temporary water. It is found in a range of habitats, including rainforest, woodland and forest. It is commonly found near human developments, in gardens or farms and often enters houses looking for insects. Due to its common occurrence on fruit and vegetable farms, particularly bananas, it is commonly transported around Australia with fruits or vegetables, frequently becoming a lost frog
Lost frogs, also called translocated frogs, frogs which have been relocated, usually accidentally, outside of their original distribution.
In Australia a large number of frogs (up to 10,000 a year) transported accidentally while hiding in fruit pr ...
. This is common among many frog species, and is of concern due to the much faster rate at which it can spread disease.
This species is usually seen after heavy rain during spring and summer. It breeds in flooded grassland and small ponds.[ The males will call during summer after rain, and the call is a long "waa" or "wee". Others describe the call as a long, growl-like 'aarrrc' repeated frequently. Males form noisy choruses during summer breeding season."][ The eggs are laid in a clear jelly lump in water,][ and are attached to vegetation. Tadpole development takes about 14 weeks. The tadpoles are a dark brown colour, with a clear, yellow tinge on the body wall.
]
Captive care
If kept as a pet in Australia, the appropriate permit is required.
References
Further reading
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*
*
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
*https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animals-act/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-the-welfare-of-amphibians-in-captivity#h2-2
External links
*
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2275736
Amphibians of Queensland
Amphibians of New South Wales
Litoria
Amphibians described in 1869
Frogs of Australia