The green-eyed treefrog (Ranoidea serrata ) is a species of Australasian treefrog in the family Pelodryadidae that occurs in the Wet Tropics of Australia.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and chytridiomycosis.
Their diet is carnivorous.
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Jumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
Semiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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starts withDescribed as Hyla serrata by Andersson in 1916, this species was subsequently brought into synonymy with Litoria genimaculata. In 2010, it was removed from synonymy and is regarded as a separate species from its New Guinea congener. The specific epithet, serrata, refers to the serrated skin flaps that are located along its legs.
Coloration is variable. While dark spotting appears to be found on the bottom of all adult green-eyed treefrogs, colors range from bright green to brassy on their upper bodies. The green-eyed treefrog gets its name from the green coloration of the iris.
The green-eyed treefrog's natural habitats are mainly subtropical, but can also include tropical lowland forests, as well as rivers and freshwater marshes. They are mainly located in the rain forests of Queensland, Australia, as well as Papua New Guinea and West Papua (Indonesia), and is very capable of blending in with its surroundings: including the moss that covers the rain forests of Queensland. Though their markings correspond with their habitat, their bodies are mostly brownish-green with blotches that are a rust color. Living near creeks and streams, their rust colored blotches tend to match the lichen covered rocks that line the bodies of water.
This particular treefrog is semi-aquatic. Though it mainly prefers dense wood, it also tends to like bodies of water located in clearings or pastures. Adults are also found to be quite active during the day, as well as at night.
Due to the males lack of vocal sacs, they have soft mating calls that can only be heard from short distances. Oftentimes the male's mating call can sound like a quiet tapping noise. Being semi-aquatic, green-eyed treefrogs call from vegetation in water and have two types of calls: harsh trill and untrilled. Some males choose to call in groups of a hundred or more and can be found harmonizing at night. During these mating calls, the males are typically located in vegetation in water.
Breeding season occurs during May and July, corresponding with the early rain season, though it has been reported that breeding might occur year-round. Breeding season in Australia starts in August. Most frogs can be found breeding in shallow puddles or ponds, as well as slow-moving waters. The green-eyed treefrog lays its eggs in globular, jelly masses which are measured at around ten centimeters across. In between November and May is when eggs are typically found. These masses, being as large as 843 eggs, are found on vegetation or rocks. Development periods for the tadpoles are often long. On hatching, tadpoles have gills and can be found in the water. As they develop, their legs and arms become prominent features. Once their lungs are developed, they lose their gills.
