Cave-dwelling frog
| Cave-dwelling frog | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pelodryadidae |
| Genus: | Pelodryas |
| Species: | P. cavernicola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pelodryas cavernicola (Tyler & Davies, 1979)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Anstis, Marion (2013). Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia. Sydney, NSW: Reed New Holland. p. 200-203. ISBN 9781921517310.
- ^ Cogger, Harold G. (2014). Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing. p. 164-165. ISBN 0643109781.