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Cave-dwelling frog

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Cave-dwelling frog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pelodryadidae
Genus: Pelodryas
Species:
P. cavernicola
Binomial name
Pelodryas cavernicola
(Tyler & Davies, 1979)
Synonyms
  • Litoria cavernicola (Tyler & Davies, 1979)

The cave-dwelling frog (Pelodryas cavernicola) is a large species of tree frog in the family Pelodryadidae. It is endemic to the extreme north-west of Australia, particularly the Mitchell Plateau (including Mitchell River National Park), Prince Regent River region, the Mueller Ranges and Bigge Island. As suggested by its name, the cave-dwelling frog inhabits caves and deep crevices in the rocky escarpments that typify the Kimberleys region.[2]

The appearance of the cave-dwelling frog is typical of the genus Pelodryas which are large, green tree frogs. Two other species of Pelodryas inhabit the Kimberleys: the Australian green tree frog and Magnificent tree frog, but the cave-dwelling frog is smaller and slighter in build than both of these species.[3]

References

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  1. ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2023). "Litoria cavernicola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023 e.T41031A78434022. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T41031A78434022.en. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  2. ^ Anstis, Marion (2013). Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia. Sydney, NSW: Reed New Holland. p. 200-203. ISBN 9781921517310.
  3. ^ Cogger, Harold G. (2014). Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing. p. 164-165. ISBN 0643109781.