The green-eyed treefrog (Ranoidea serrata) is a species of Australasian treefrog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae that occurs in the Wet Tropics of Australia.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and chytridiomycosis.
Their diet is carnivorous.
History
Australia is home to almost 230 species of frogs that mainly live in Queensland, a tropical part of Australia. Thousands of years ago, green-eyed treefrogs separated in the northern and southern parts of Queensland and recently started breeding again. However, due to the separation, it is considered cross-breeding, since the species are so different now. Male green-eyed treefrogs from the Northern region in Australia, are rejected by female green-eyed treefrogs from the south. Their geographic separation has caused a change in mating calls, that continues to drive the two types of green-eyed treefrogs apart. If and when the females from the southern region decide to mate with the males from the north, they are re-productively disadvantaged. Their crossbreed offspring don't survive as long as the frogs whose parents breed with other frogs from the same region. Scientists now use the green-eyed treefrog in their studies of speciation and evolution due to the mating habits of the frogs in Australia.
When it comes to monitoring the current population, the best method to use is a photographic identification model, since dorsal patterns of the green-eyed frog is not shown to change over time. To help conserve the green-eyed treefrog population, monitoring and awareness efforts have been increased and an exhibit was created at the Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom. It will be important to keep monitoring the wild population as the species population declines further.
Frogs are born with legs that are good for hopping and special pads on their toes to help them climb. In comparison, toads have shorter legs, drier skin, and are less likely to live near water. Most frogs and toads are responsible for controlling the Earth's insect population, since their diet consists mostly of insects and spiders. However, the green eyed-treefrog is also a carnivore. As a tadpole, the frogs mostly consume algae and plants. Frogs have a moist and permeable skin layer covered with mucous glands, which enables them to breathe through their skin, not just their lungs. The layer of mucus that covers them also acts as a shield, protecting them from scratches. The reason frogs have large and protruding eyes is to make up for their lack of a neck. This eye feature allows them to see everything around them. The color scheme of the green-eyed treefrog is to camouflage them from predators. Frogs with bright colors are alerting predators of their poisonous nature.
Description
Described as Hyla serrata by Andersson in 1916, this species was subsequently brought into synonymy with Litoria genimaculata. In 2010, it was removed from synonymy and is regarded as a separate species from its New Guinea congener. The specific epithet, serrata, refers to the serrated skin flaps that are located along its legs.
Coloration is variable. While dark spotting appears to be found on the bottom of all adult green-eyed treefrogs, colors range from bright green to brassy on their upper bodies. The green-eyed treefrog gets its name from the green coloration of the iris.
Habitat
The green-eyed treefrog's natural habitats are mainly subtropical, but can also include tropical lowland forests, as well as rivers and freshwater marshes. They are mainly located in the rain forests of Queensland, Australia, as well as Papua New Guinea and West Papua (Indonesia), and is very capable of blending in with its surroundings: including the moss that covers the rain forests of Queensland. Though their markings correspond with their habitat, their bodies are mostly brownish-green with blotches that are a rust color. Living near creeks and streams, their rust colored blotches tend to match the lichen covered rocks that line the bodies of water.
This particular treefrog is semi-aquatic. Though it mainly prefers dense wood, it also tends to like bodies of water located in clearings or pastures. Adults are also found to be quite active during the day, as well as at night.