Live specimen of Litoria rubella (Photo Credit: Linette Umbrello)

Desert tree frog

Litoria rubella

The Australian tree frogs are a speciose genus found in Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. They are recognisable from the horizontal line through their eyes, and unpigmented eyelids. The genus varies greatly in size, including the javelin frog (L. microbelos, <1.6 cm) and the giant tree frog (L. infrafrenata, up to 14 cm).
This species is often encountered by people in shower blocks in caravan parks in the outback and tropical regions. The species has a distinctive call, which resembles a seagull. http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/frogwatch/frogs/little-red-tree-frog

Morphology

The desert tree frog grows up to 45 mm, is a reddish to grey brown colour, with a black stripe on either side of the head, extending behind the eye, almost to the groin.

Habitat

Terrestrial

The desert tree frog is found in a variety of habitats, across the continent, typically near water bodies. In arid zones it is restricted to ranges and larger, permanent water.

Distribution

The desert tree frog is found across most of the northern half of Australia, and in southern New Guinea.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Litoria
Species: rubella
Name Published Year: 1842
Rank: species
Scientific Name Authorship: Gray
Commercial Impact: 

None

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/litoria-rubella
Accessed 31 Aug 2023

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