Ranoidea gracilenta (Peters, 1869)

Taxonomy and Size

The dainty green tree frog, with the scientific name Ranoidea gracilenta (Peters, 1869), is a slender, medium-sized frog that reaches a maximum length of 45 millimetres (1.8 in).

Dorsal and Ventral Coloration

Its dorsal surface is rich green, while its ventral surface is yellow.

Skin and Eye Features

It has coarse, granular skin and bright orange eyes; some individuals have a light blue ring circling the eye.

Thigh and Tympanum Features

The back of the thigh is purple-brown or maroon, and the tympanum is visible.

Distinguishing Facial Line

In most specimens, a thin yellow or white line runs from the nostril to the eye; this line is absent in the closely related red-eyed tree frog (L. chloris) and orange-thighed frog (L. xanthomera), which distinguishes Ranoidea gracilenta from these species.

Additional Distinguishing Traits

When this distinguishing line is absent, Ranoidea gracilenta can still be separated from the two related species by its smaller size and the granular texture of its dorsal skin.

Limb Webbing

The fingers of Ranoidea gracilenta are three-quarters webbed, and the toes are fully webbed.

Aquatic Vegetation Habitat

This frog species is commonly found in vegetation that emerges from the water of streams and swamps, often in temporary water bodies.

Terrestrial Habitat Range

It inhabits a range of environments, including rainforest, woodland, and forest.

Proximity to Human Developments

It is frequently found near human developments, such as gardens or farms, and often enters houses to hunt for insects.

Accidental Transport Risk

Because it is commonly found on fruit and vegetable farms, particularly banana farms, it is often transported around Australia along with harvested fruits or vegetables, and frequently becomes separated from its native range as a lost frog.

Disease Spread Concern

This accidental transport occurs in many frog species, and it is a concern because it allows disease to spread much more quickly than it would naturally.

Sighting Period

This species is usually spotted after heavy rain in spring and summer.

Breeding Habitat

It breeds in flooded grassland and small ponds.

Male Mating Call

Males call during summer after rain; their call has been described as a long "waa", "wee", or a long, growl-like 'aarrrc' that is repeated frequently.

Breeding Choruses

During the summer breeding season, males gather to form loud breeding choruses.

Egg Laying Characteristics

Eggs are laid in a clear jelly mass in water, and are attached to vegetation.

Tadpole Development Period

Tadpole development takes approximately 14 weeks.

Tadpole Appearance

Tadpoles are dark brown, with a clear yellow tinge on the body wall.