eastern dwarf tree frog

Image:Litoria fallax bi.jpg

This is a small species of frog; females can reach a maximum size of 25–30 mm, while males may only reach 20 mm when fully grown. It is of variable colour (depending upon temperature and colour of surrounding environment), ranging from fawn to light green on top, and occasionally has black flecks on its back. A white line begins under the eye, and joins the white stomach. A brown line begins from the nostril, and continues across the eye, and between the green (or fawn) and white sections on the top and bottom of the body. This species' toe discs are only slightly larger than the toes, and toes are 75% webbed. Some individuals will have an orange posterior thigh. The tadpoles are bigger than the adult frogs, with a size of 30 mm.

L. fallax was first described in 1880 by Wilhelm Peters as Hylomantis fallax.{{Cite web|title=Australian Faunal Directory: Litoria fallax|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Litoria_fallax|access-date=2021-10-23|website=biodiversity.org.au|language=en}}{{cite journal|author= Peters, W.|author-link=Wilhelm Peters|date= 1880|title= Mitteilung über neue oder weniger bekannte Amphibien des Berliner Zoologischen Museums|journal=Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin|volume=1880|pages= 217-224 [1881 on title page] [224, fig. 4]|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36277423}} The Australian Faunal Directory also considers Hyla bicolor glauerti{{cite journal|author=Copland, S.J.|date=1957|title= Presidential address. Australian tree frogs of the genus Hyla|journal=Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales|volume=82|pages= 9–108 [16]|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34928289}} to be a synonym, with the decision for synonymy being based on Cogger.{{citation|author=Cogger, H.G.|author-link=Harold Cogger |editor=Cogger, H.G. |editor2=Cameron, E.E. |editor3=Cogger, H.M.|date=1983|title= Amphibia and Reptilia|journal=Zoological Catalogue of Australia|location= Canberra |publisher= Australian Government Publishing Service|volume= 1|pages=43}}

This frog is associated with a wide variety of habitats, including coastal swamps, lagoons, dams, ditches, and garden ponds in forest, heathland, wallum country, and cleared farmland. It lives in reeds and similar plants both near and away from the water, and often inhabits banana trees in the northern areas of Australia, and are sometimes shipped with the bananas throughout Australia. They are known in Australia for becoming lost frogs by turning up in fruit shops outside of their normal range.

Image:Litoria fallax tadpole.JPG

Breeding occurs at small ponds or dams, which have ample reeds or other emergent vegetation. This species will often breed in temporary water. Its call is a short, high pitched, wr-e-e-ek ip-ip, repeated three or four times. They emit their calls from a single submandibular vocal sac. The males call during the spring and summer seasons, often before and after heavy rain.

About 200-301 eggs are laid at each amplexus, and clumps of spawn contain up to 35 eggs. The minimum tadpole lifespan is 118 days, at a consist temperature of 20 °C. Metamorphosis occurs from January to March, the metamorphs resemble the adults and are very small, only 9–13 mm in length.

Image:Litoria fallax spawn.JPG

This species is a member of the dwarf tree frog complex. This species complex is composed of the northern dwarf tree frog (L. bicolor), the Cooloola sedge frog (L. cooloolensis), and the Wallum sedge frog (L. olongburensis), as well as this species. All of these species are similar in size and have a similar ratchet-like call. The species along the east coast often inhabits coastal wallum and acid swamps. Most of these species have more than one common name, with a least one name containing "dwarf tree frog".

In Australia, the frog may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

{{Listen|filename=Litoria fallax jul08.ogg|title=Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog |description=Call recorded at Samsonvale Cemetery, SE Queensland|format=Ogg}}

{{Commons category|Litoria fallax}}

{{Wikispecies|Litoria fallax}}

{{Reflist|refs=

[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320103342/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/frogLicenceInfo.pdf Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists]

}}

• [http://www.articleroad.com/pets-and-animals/reptiles-and-amphibians/frogs/frog-breeds/easterndwarftreefrog-53.cfm?Find=Free Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog]
• Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
• Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060301202450/http://www.frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/display.cfm?frog_id=152 Frogs Australia Network]-frog call available here.
• Australian Frogs A Natural History Michael J. Tyler (1994)

{{Taxonbar|from=Q979058}}

Category:Litoria

Category:Amphibians of Queensland

Category:Amphibians of New South Wales

Category:Amphibians described in 1880

Category:Frogs of Australia

Category:Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters

Category:Least concern biota of Australia