Litoria

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Litoria is a genus of hylid tree frogs, sometimes collectively referred to as Australasian treefrogs.

Description

The species within the genus Litoria are extremely variable in appearance, behaviour, and habitat. The smallest species is the javelin frog (L. microbelos), reaching a maximum snout–to–vent length of Template:Cvt,[1][2] while the largest, the giant tree frog (L. infrafrenata), reaches a size of Template:Cvt.

They are distinguishable from other tree frogs by the presence of horizontal irises, no pigmentation of the eyelids, and their distribution east and south from Wallacea. Over one hundred species are recognised and new species are still being added, such as the Pinocchio frog discovered in 2008 and described in 2019.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

The frogs are native to Australia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the Moluccan Islands. The appearance, behaviour and habitat of each species are usually linked. The small, dark-coloured frogs are generally terrestrial and never, or infrequently, climb. The larger green species are usually arboreal, with some only venturing to the ground to breed.

Fossils

The oldest fossil of a frog of the Litoria genus is of †Litoria tylerantiqua Farman, Archer & Hand, 2025 from the Tingamarra fauna of 55 million years ago. Indeterminate Litoria remains reminiscent of L. caerulea are known from the Late Oligocene-aged Etadunna Formation of South Australia. The fossil species †Litoria magna Tyler, 1991 is known from the Miocene of the Riversleigh fauna.[5]

Species

File:EVERETT’S TIMOR TREEFROG (female) Litoria everetti Meleotegi River, Ermera District, Timor-Leste (USNM 578928).jpg
Litoria everetti
File:Litoria fallax.jpg
Litoria fallax
File:Litoria jervisiensis.JPG
Litoria jervisiensis
File:Litoria nasuta.JPG
Litoria nasuta

While some former species have been moved to the genera Nyctimystes and Ranoidea, the following are recognised within the genus Litoria:[6]

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References

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  3. Newscientist.com
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Bibliography

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  • Frogs of Australia. Litoria genus . Amphibian Research Centre.
  • Frogs Australia Network search: Litoria
  • Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD Template:ISBN
  • Tyler, Michael J. 1992. Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Frogs. Angus & Robertson. Template:ISBN

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