Green tree frog is a common name applied to several distinct species of tree frogs found in different parts of the world. While there are no formally recognized subspecies within the Australian green tree frog (Ranoidea caerulea, formerly Litoria caerulea), recent research and taxonomy reveal it is part of a species complex, and there are closely related species and regional variants worth noting.
Australian Green Tree Frog (Ranoidea caerulea)
- Distribution: Native to Australia and New Guinea; introduced populations in the US and New Zealand (now extinct in NZ).
- Description: Large, robust frog reaching up to 11.5–12 cm in length. Color ranges from brownish or greyish-green to bright emerald green, sometimes with white spots on the back. The belly is white, and the iris is gold with a horizontal pupil.
- Distinctive Features: Fatty ridge over the eye, moderately large parotoid gland, large adhesive toe discs, fingers about one-third webbed, toes nearly three-quarters webbed. Males have a grey, wrinkled vocal sac; females have a white throat.
- Regional Variation: Some northern populations show yellow coloring on fingers, toes, webbing, and undersurfaces of limbs.
- Similar Species:
- Ranoidea splendida (Magnificent tree frog): Larger parotoid glands, yellow speckling, restricted to north-western Australia.
- Nyctimystes infrafrenatus (White-lipped/giant tree frog): Distinct white stripe along the jaw and shoulder.
- Litoria cavernicola and Litoria chloris: Differ in iris color and skin folds.
Species Complex and Recent Discoveries
- A 2020 study revealed that Litoria caerulea is actually a species complex, meaning what was thought to be a single species includes several cryptic species. One of these is Litoria mira, endemic to New Guinea. This suggests there may be additional, yet undescribed, species within the group, but these are not formally recognized as subspecies.
Other Frogs Commonly Called “Green Tree Frog”
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Region | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Green Tree Frog | Hyla cinerea | USA (Southeast) | Smaller, less vivid green, white/cream stripe along side |
| Emerald Green Tree Frog | Rhacophorus prasinatus | Taiwan | Bright green, gliding ability |
| Dainty Green Tree Frog | Ranoidea gracilenta | Eastern Australia | Slender, up to 4.5 cm, rich green, yellow belly, orange eyes |
- These are separate species, not subspecies of the Australian green tree frog.
Summary Table: Australian Green Tree Frog and Related Species
| Species Name | Range | Size | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranoidea caerulea | Australia, New Guinea | Up to 12 cm | Large, green, sometimes white spots, gold iris |
| Ranoidea splendida | NW Australia | Similar | Large parotoid glands, yellow speckling |
| Nyctimystes infrafrenatus | N. Australia, PNG | Larger | White stripe along jaw/shoulder |
| Ranoidea gracilenta | E. Australia | Up to 4.5 cm | Slender, orange eyes, yellow belly |
Key Points
- There are no formally recognized subspecies of the Australian green tree frog (Ranoidea caerulea), but it is part of a species complex, and regional color variations exist.
- The term “green tree frog” is used for several distinct species worldwide, each with different features and distributions.
- Recent research hints at cryptic diversity within the Ranoidea caerulea group, but these are not yet classified as subspecies.
If you are seeking information on a specific “green tree frog” in a particular region, it is important to refer to the scientific name to avoid confusion, as several unrelated species share this common name.