Why:
The change from Litoria caerulea to Ranoidea caerulea was driven by advances in molecular genetics and phylogenetic studies. Researchers found that the genus Litoria was not a natural (monophyletic) group, meaning it did not include all descendants of a common ancestor. To better reflect evolutionary relationships among Australasian tree frogs, taxonomists split Litoria into several genera, including Ranoidea.
When:
This reclassification was formalized in major taxonomic revisions published in 2016, particularly in works by Duellman and colleagues and by Dubois and Fretey. The change has been adopted in some scientific databases and literature since then, though not universally.
Where:
The change was proposed and discussed in the context of global herpetological taxonomy, with a focus on Australasian frogs-primarily those found in Australia and New Guinea, where the green tree frog is native.
Who:
The primary taxonomists responsible for this change were William E. Duellman, Alain Dubois, and Eric Fretey, who published influential works in 2016 advocating for the split of Litoria and the establishment of Ranoidea as a separate genus for these frogs. Other herpetologists and taxonomic authorities have contributed to the discussion and implementation.
How:
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Researchers conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses, comparing DNA sequences across many species of Australasian tree frogs.
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These analyses showed that Litoria was paraphyletic, prompting a revision to ensure genera reflected true evolutionary lineages.
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As a result, the green tree frog and several related species were moved from Litoria to the resurrected genus Ranoidea (the oldest available name for this group).
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The new binomial name became Ranoidea caerulea (White, 1790).
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Despite this, some authorities, including AmphibiaWeb and the Australian Society of Herpetology, continue to use Litoria caerulea, citing ongoing debate and incomplete genetic data.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Why | To reflect evolutionary relationships and correct paraphyly in the genus Litoria |
| When | 2016 (major taxonomic revisions published) |
| Where | Australia, New Guinea, and global herpetological taxonomy |
| Who | Duellman et al., Dubois & Fretey, and other herpetologists |
| How | Molecular phylogenetic studies led to splitting Litoria and reassigning species to Ranoidea |
In Summary:
The green tree frog’s scientific name changed from Litoria caerulea to Ranoidea caerulea in 2016, following genetic studies that revealed the need for a more accurate classification. The change was led by Duellman, Dubois, Fretey, and colleagues, and reflects a broader effort to align frog taxonomy with evolutionary history. However, the new name is not yet universally accepted, and both names are still in use in different contexts.