? White's tree frog Conservation status: Lower risk
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Genus: Litoria Species: L. caerulea
Binomial name
Litoria caerulea (White, 1790)

White's Tree Frog, Green Tree Frog, or Dumpy Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) is a species of tree frog native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand and the United States. The species belongs to the genus Litoria. It is physiologically similar to some other species of the genus, particularly the Magnificent Tree Frog (Litoria splendida) and the Giant Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1812x1194, 749 KB) Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms (as opposed to folk taxonomy). ... Phyla Subregnum Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subregnum Agnotozoa Placozoa (trichoplax) Orthonectida (orthonectids) Rhombozoa (dicyemids) Subregnum Eumetazoa Radiata (unranked) (radial symmetry) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria (coral, jellyfish, anemones) Bilateria (unranked) (bilateral symmetry) Acoelomorpha (basal) Orthonectida (parasitic to flatworms, echinoderms, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicatas Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ... Suborders Archaeobatrachia Mesobatrachia Neobatrachia The Anura is the order of animals in the class Amphibia that includes frogs and toads. ... Genera see Text Tree frog, in zoology, any individual of the family Hylidae. ... Species See text Litoria is a genus of tree frog native to: Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccan Islands, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... John White (c1756 - 1832) was an English surgeon and botanical collector. ... In biology, a species is the basic unit of biodiversity. ... Genera See text. ... Sweet clover (), introduced and naturalized to the U.S. from Eurasia as a forage and cover crop, supports insect biodiversity. ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... Species See text Litoria is a genus of tree frog native to: Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccan Islands, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor. ... [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Litoria splendida Tyler, Davies & Martin, 1977 Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The magnificent tree frog (Litoria splendida) is a tree frog species that was first described in 1977. ... [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Litoria infrafrenata Günther, 1876 Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The giant tree frog (Litoria infrafrenata), also comonly known as the white-lipped tree frog, is the largest species of tree frog on earth. ...

White's Tree Frog is a large species compared with most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres in length. The average lifespan of the species in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. White's Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light. Distribution of frogs (in black) Suborders Archaeobatrachia Mesobatrachia Neobatrachia - List of Anuran families A frog is an amphibian in the order Anura (meaning tail-less from Greek an-, without + oura, tail). ...

Due to its physical and behavioural traits, White's Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations. An exotic pet is an unusual creature kept as a pet, sometimes for the express purpose of having a pet which is unique. ... Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmacon (φάρμακον) meaning drug, and logos (λόγος) meaning science) is the study of how chemical substances interact with living systems. ...

Taxonomy

Original print of White's Tree Frog, published in John White's "A Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales". Artist: S. Stone

The common name of the species, "White's Tree Frog", is in honour of the first person to describe the species, John White. White's Tree Frog was the first Australian frog scientifically classified. It was originally called the "blue frog" (Rana caerulea). Although White's Tree Frog is green, the original specimens he sent to England were damaged by the preservative and appeared blue. This is because the colour of the frog is caused by blue and green pigments covered in a yellow layer. The preservative destroyed the yellow layer and left the frog with a blue appearance. The specific epithet, caerulea, which is Latin for blue, has remained the same. The frog is also known more simply as the "Green Tree Frog." However, that name is often given to the most common large green tree frog in a region, for example, the American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea). Image File history File links Download high resolution version (790x616, 99 KB) Summary The original print of Whites tree frog, from John Whites A Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (790x616, 99 KB) Summary The original print of Whites tree frog, from John Whites A Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. ... John White (c1756 - 1832) was an English surgeon and botanical collector. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001... In biology, pigment is any material resulting in color in plant or animal cells which is the result of selective absorption. ... Binomial name Hyla cinerea Schneider, 1792 Approximate range The American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) is a common species of New World tree frog belonging to the genus Hyla. ...

White's Tree Frog is similar to, and sometimes confused with, the Magnificent Tree Frog (Litoria splendida), which inhabits only north-western Australia and can be distinguished by the presence of large parotoids and rostral glands on the head. The Giant Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata) is also sometimes confused with White's Tree Frog. The main difference is a distinct white stripe along the edge of the lower jaw of the Giant Tree Frog, which is not present in White's Tree Frog. The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. ...

Distribution

Distribution of Litoria caerulea (in black) on the Australian continent.

White's Tree Frog is native to northern and eastern regions of Australia and to southern New Guinea. Distribution is limited mostly to areas with a warm, wet tropical climate. Eastern Australia, although cool in winter, also hosts the species. It is found in the southern Australian state of Victoria, but the frog cannot survive southern Victoria's cold winters and is therefore restricted to the north. Image File history File links Caerulea_Distribution. ... Image File history File links Caerulea_Distribution. ... The tropics are the geographic region of the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the two tropics: the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. ... Emblems: {{{Emblems}}} Motto: Peace and Prosperity Slogan or Nickname: Garden State, The Place To Be, On The Move Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Governor Premier Const. ...

The species has been introduced to both the United States and New Zealand. In the United States, it is restricted to two regions within Florida, where it was possibly introduced through the pet trade. Only small populations have been found in Florida, and it is unknown whether they have caused any ecological damage as an invasive species. In New Zealand, a population was once present; however, there have been no sightings since the 1950s.^[1] Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 22nd 170,451 km² 260 km 800 km 17. ... The word ecology is often used in common parlance as a synonym for the natural environment or environmentalism. ... The term invasive species refers to a subset of those species defined as introduced species or non-indigenous species. ...

Physical description

A brown/green White's Tree Frog

White's Tree Frog can grow up to 10 centimetres in length. Its colour depends on the temperature and colour of the environment, ranging from brown to green; the ventral surface is white. The frog occasionally has small, white, irregularly shaped spots on its back, up to five millimetres in diameter, which increase in number with age. The frog has large discs at the end of its toes, of about five millimetres in diameter at maturity. These help the frogs grip while climbing and allow them to climb vertically on glass. The eyes are golden and have horizontal irises, typical of the Litoria genus. The fingers are about one-third webbed, and the toes nearly three-quarters webbed. The tympanum (a skin membrane similar to an eardrum) is visible. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1206x1086, 167 KB) Summary A brown-green colour morph of (Litoria caerulea), the Whites Tree Frog, from western Sydney. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1206x1086, 167 KB) Summary A brown-green colour morph of (Litoria caerulea), the Whites Tree Frog, from western Sydney. ... Temperature is also the name of a song by Sean Paul. ... The human iris The iris is the grey-brown area. ... The tympanic membrane, colloquially known as the eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. ...

The tadpole's appearance changes throughout its development. The length of the species' tadpoles ranges from 8.1 millimetres (once hatched) to 44 millimetres. They are initially mottled with brown, which increases in pigmentation (to green or brown) during development. The underside begins dark and then lightens, eventually to white in adults. The eggs are brown, in a clear jelly and are 1.1–1.4 millimetres in diameter.

Although frogs have lungs, they absorb oxygen through their skin, and for this to occur efficiently, the skin must be moist. A disadvantage of moist skin is that pathogens can thrive on it, increasing the chance of infection. To counteract this, frogs secrete peptides that destroy these pathogens. The skin secretion from White's Tree Frog contains caerins, a group of peptides with antibacterial and antiviral properties. It also contains caerulins, which have the same physiological effects as CCK-8, a digestive hormone and hunger suppressant.^[2] Several peptides from the skin secretions of White's Tree Frog have been found to destroy HIV without harming healthy T-cells.^[3] The heart and lungs (from an older edition of Grays Anatomy) The lung is an organ belonging to the respiratory system and interfacing to the circulatory system of air-breathing vertebrates. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless Atomic mass 15. ... A pathogen (literally birth of pain from the Greek παθογένεια) is a biological agent that can cause disease to its host. ... Peptides (from the Greek πεπτος, digestible), are the family of short molecules formed from the linking, in a defined order, of various α-amino acids. ... Secretion is the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing chemicals from a cell, or a secreted chemical substance or amount of substance. ... Cholecystokinin (from Greek chole, bile; cysto, sac; kinin, move; hence, move the bile-sac (gall bladder)) is a peptide hormone of the gastrointestinal system responsible for stimulating the digestion of fat and protein. ... Human immunodeficiency virus (commonly known as HIV, and formerly known as HTLV-III and lymphadenopathy-associated virus) is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system such as CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. ... T cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a large role in the immune response. ...

Ecology and behaviour

A White's Tree Frog caught in a spider's web after eating the spider. The frog survived.

White's Tree Frogs are very docile. They are nocturnal and come out in early evenings to call (in spring and summer) and hunt at night. During the day they find cool, dark, and moist areas to sleep. During winter, White's Tree Frogs do not call and are not usually seen. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (862x1458, 134 KB) Summary Litoria caerulea caught in a spider web, after catching a spider. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (862x1458, 134 KB) Summary Litoria caerulea caught in a spider web, after catching a spider. ... A nocturnal animal is one that sleeps during the day and is active at night - the opposite of the human (diurnal) schedule. ...

Depending on their location, White's Tree Frogs occupy various habitats. Typically, they are found in the canopy of trees near a still-water source. However, they can survive in swamps (among the reeds) or in grasslands in cooler climates. White's Tree Frogs are well known for inhabiting water sources inside houses, such as sinks or toilets. They can also be found on windows eating insects. They will occupy tanks (cisterns), downpipes (downspouts), and gutters, as these have a high humidity and are usually cooler than the external environment. The frogs are drawn to downpipes and tanks during mating season, as the fixtures amplify their call. species Pragmites australis Reed is a generic term used to describe numerous plants including: Common Reed (Phragmites australis Cav. ... A cistern (Middle English cisterne, from Latin cisterna, from cista, box, from Greek kistê, basket) is a receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. ...

The species' call is a low, slow crawk-crawk-crawk, repeated many times. For most of the year, they call from high positions, such as trees and gutters. During mating season the frogs descend, although remaining slightly elevated, and call close to still-water sources, whether temporary or permanent. Like many frogs, White's Tree Frogs call not only to attract a mate. They have been observed calling to advertise their location outside the mating season, usually after rain, for reasons that are uncertain to researchers. They will emit a stress call whenever they are in danger, such as when predators are close or when a person steps on a log in which a frog resides.

The species' diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, but can include smaller frogs and even small mammals. Frog teeth are not suited to cutting up prey, so the prey must fit inside the mouth of the frog. Many frogs propel their sticky tongues at prey. The prey sticks, and is consumed. White's Tree Frog will use this technique for smaller prey; however for larger prey, it pounces, then forces the prey into its mouth with its hands. Classes & Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrate animals of the Class Insecta, the largest and (on land) most widely-distributed taxon within the phylum Arthropoda. ... Suborders Araneomorphae Mesothelae Mygalomorphae See the taxonomy section for families Spiders are invertebrate animals that produce silk, and have eight legs and no wings. ... Orders Subclass Multituberculata (extinct) Plagiaulacida Cimolodonta Subclass Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Subclass Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Eutheria (includes extinct ancestors)/Placentalia (excludes extinct ancestors) Afrosoricida Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Cimolesta (extinct) Creodonta (extinct) Condylarthra (extinct) Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Embrithopoda (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Litopterna (extinct) Macroscelidea Mesonychia (extinct) Notoungulata (extinct) Perissodactyla Pholidota Plesiadapiformes... // Introduction to phylum About 400 million years ago, some members of the sarcopterygian group of fish moved onto land. ...

The frog has few native predators, among them snakes and a few species of lizards and birds. Since the European settlement of Australia, non-native predators have been introduced, primarily dogs and cats. The species has an average life expectancy in captivity of sixteen years, but some have been known to live for over twenty years,^[4] which is long for a frog. The average life expectancy in the wild is lower than in captivity, due to predation. Superfamilies and Families Henophidia Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Cylindrophiidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Typhlopoidea Anomalepididae Leptotyphlopidae Typhlopidae Xenophidia Acrochordidae Atractaspididae Colubridae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Viperidae Snakes (from Old English snaca, and ultimately from PIE base *snag- or *sneg-, to crawl), also known as ophidians, are cold blooded legless reptiles closely... Families Many, see text. ... Orders Many - see section below. ...

Reproduction

Prior to the mating season in late spring to summer, the male White's Tree Frog develops a black nuptial pad on the inner surface of the thumb. This aids amplexus by allowing the male to continue a grip on its mate for the duration of amplexus. The male calls (individually) to attract a female, and the two typically meet at a still-water source. Estrus (also spelled œstrus) or heat in female mammals is the period of greatest female sexual responsiveness usually coinciding with ovulation. ... Amplexus is the process when the male frog grasps the female while she lays her eggs. ...

During amplexus, the male mounts the female. The female then expels her eggs at such a speed that the sperm is forced into the egg. A large spawn of about 200 to 300 eggs is left in the water, approximately a half metre from the frogs. The eggs sink and attach themselves to submerged objects. The two frogs can remain in amplexus for about two days, during which the process is repeated many times, resulting in the laying of an average of 2000 to 3000 eggs. An egg hatches three days after its laying. The water must be 28–38 degrees Celsius and 5–50 centimetres deep for the eggs and tadpoles to survive. Metamorphosis takes between two and three months, and sexual maturation about two years. An average Whooping Crane egg is 102 mm long, and weighs 208 grams In some animals, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... The signifier sperm can refer to: (mass noun, from Greek sperma = seed) a substance which consists of spermatozoa and which is a component of semen (mass noun) semen itself (informally, count noun with plural sperm or sperms) a single spermatozoon (= sperm cell) sperma ceti (Latin ceti, genitive of cetus = whale... Metamorphosis is a process in biology by which an individual physically develops after birth or hatching, and involves significant change in form as well as growth and differentiation. ...

Conservation status

Australian law gives protected status to White's Tree Frog—along with all Australian fauna—under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ^[5]. Much of the White's Tree Frog's natural habitat has been destroyed. Also, some of the frogs have been found infected with chytrid fungus (causing chytridiomycosis). These two factors associated with the general decline in frog populations in Australia threaten to reduce the population of White's Tree Frog. However, because of the long life expectancy of this species, any effects of a reduced reproduction rate will take longer to spot than they would in a species with a shorter life expectancy. The Red Kangaroo is the largest macropod and is one of Australias heraldic animals, appearing with the Emu on the Coat of Arms of Australia. ... Orders Chytridiales Spizellomycetales Blastocladiales Monoblepharidales Neocallimasticales Chytridiomycota is a division of the Fungi kingdom and contains only one class, Chytridiomycetes. ... Chytridiomycosis is a fatal infectious disease that affects amphibians, caused by the chytrid fungus - Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to be more specific. ... Since about 1950, the populations of many species of amphibians (caecilians, frogs, toads, salamanders and newts) throughout the world have declined markedly; some species have become extinct. ...

As a pet

White's Tree Frog is one of the most popular pet frogs throughout the world. Its docile nature, often cartoon-like appearance, and long life expectancy make it an attractive choice for exotic pet owners. It is also one of the easier frogs to care for: their diet is broad and they have a strong resistance to disease. One problem commonly associated with keeping this species as a pet is overfeeding. White's Tree Frogs tend to become obese if overfed. In the wild, exertion of energy is required for a frog to capture its prey. However, in captivity they are usually given live feed in a confined space. This lessens the activity needed for feeding, resulting in weight gain. An overweight member of the species will deposit fat layers over the top of the head and body, giving it a "dumpy" appearance. An exotic pet is an unusual creature kept as a pet, sometimes for the express purpose of having a pet which is unique. ...

Notes

1. ↑ Somma, L.A. 2005. Litoria caerulea. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
2. ↑ Salmon, A.L. et al. 2000. Isolation, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivity of a Novel Neuromedin U Analog from the Defensive Skin Secretion of the Australasian Tree Frog, Litoria caerulea. Journal of Biological Chemistry 275:4549-4554
3. ↑ MacMillan, L. 2005. Frog secretions block HIV infections. Exploration, Vanderbilt University
4. ↑ Bruin, Tami. White's Tree Frog Fact Sheet. Smithsonian National Zoological Park.
5. ↑ Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
6. ↑ Frogs Australia Network - Frog call available here.

References

• Bruin, T. 2000. Litoria caerulea (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 06, 2005
• Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD ISBN 0589501089
• Tyler, M.J. 1994. Australian Frogs A Natural History. Reed Books ISBN 0730104680
• Vincent, L. 1999. Litoria caerulea
• Tyler, M.J. & Davies, M. Fauna of Australia, 8. Family Hylidae

External links

• Rainforest Australia - Litoria caerulea
• Introduction to Keeping White's Tree Frogs as pets

   

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