Australian Frog Database

Australian Frogs

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Litoria bicolor

Family: Hylidae
Common names: Northern Sedge Frog; Northern Dwarf Tree Frog

Description: This frog has a broad bronze band that runs down its spine, with green on either side of it. A dark stripe runs from the snout, through the eye, over the tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear) and along the side of the body. There is a white stripe on the upper lip, which continues to the base of the arm. The groin and the backs of the thighs are light yellow. The belly is granular and cream or yellowish. The skin on the back is smooth and the pads on the fingers and toes are very distinct. The fingers are slightly webbed while the toes are half to three-quarters webbed.

Size: 30 mm

Habitat: This frog lives near permanent sreams and marshy areas. It can also be found in or on plants such as Pandanus palms or shrubs with big leaves.

Call: Sounds like a high pitched "wree-e-eck pippip". The second part of the call begins before the first part has ended. Call available in Windows Media or Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © David Stewart.

Breeding: December is usually the beginning of the breeding season and breeding actually occurs from December through to March.

Eggs: Are laid in small clumps of 10-20 which are usually attached to submerged vegetation.

Tadpoles: Are small and honey-brown with darker patches. There are two white spots on the tip of the snout. As these tadpoles develop their colouration changes to a mottled dark brown.

Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Litoria fallax by its body length and bronze coloured stripes.

Conservation Information

Suspected threatening processes

• None stated

Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Factors affecting population size and distribution are unknown or unsubstantiated.

Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population size stable or suspected to be stable or increasing.

Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Not currently monitored.

Population concentration: Not known to concentrate or exist in discrete locations. (e.g. the number of sites in which individuals group together either seasonally, such as breeding sites, or they may occupy discrete habitat patches within the broader landscape, such as discrete water bodies or drainage units.)

Ongoing management activities in Australia: None directed primarily at the taxon.

Reproductive potential for recovery: The average number of eggs deposited per adult female per year is 51-200 eggs/female/year. Minimum age at which females are known or suspected to first reproduce is <2 years.

Range size in Australia: The size of the geographic area over which the taxon is distributed: > 1,000,000 km².

Distribution trend: Area occupied is stable or has increased. (This is an estimate of change in the portion of the total range that is occupied or utilised; it may not equal the change in total range.)

Knowledge of distribution in Australia: Broad range limits or habitat associations are known, but local occurrence cannot be predicted accurately.

References

Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.

Barker, J., G.C. Grigg and M.J. Tyler. 1995. A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton.

Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.