Robust Bleating Tree Frog

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 4.5 cm in body length. It has a light brown or cream-coloured back, with a wide, brown longitudinal stripe along the middle. The belly is cream-coloured, and the male has a blackish brown vocal sac when deflated and a dirty yellow or brown vocal sac when inflated. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is red in the top half and brown in the lower half. Fingers are one-third webbed and toes are three-quarters webbed, both with large, sometimes yellow discs. This species was, until recently, thought to be more widespread. Recordings submitted to FrogID were analysed as part of the scientific paper formally describing and scientifically two additional species from within what was previously considered one species (Litoria balatus and Litoria quiritatus).

Similar Species

Most similar to Litoria balatus and Litoria quiritatus. Its distribution may overlap slightly with Litoria balatus around the Scenic Rim region of Queensland, but it can be distinguished by having a more robust build, and males with a very dark yellowish black vocal sac when deflated and dirty yellow or brown when inflated versus black wheen inflated or deflated. Its distribution abuts Litoria quiritatus in northern NSW but it can be distinguished by having males with a very dark yellowish black vocal sac when deflated and dirty yellow or brown when inflated versus bright yellow wheen inflated or deflated. Looks somewhat similar to Litoria ewingii, Litoria jervisiensis, Litoria rubella, and Litoria verreauxii in its distribution. It can be distinguished from all of these species except Litoria rubella by a lack of bright colours in the armpits or back of the thighs, while Litoria rubella lacks the wide, brown longitudinal stripe along the middle of its back and has a more robust body.

Distribution

Found along the coast of northeastern NSW from around Taree to at least as far north as the NSW-Queensland border. This species has also been introduced int Lord Howe Island.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid in temporary ponds. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 5.5 cm, are grey-brown or gold-brown in colour and take around two months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to summer after heavy rain.