Tyler's tree frog or the southern laughing tree frog (''Litoria tyleri'') is an arboreal species of

tree frog A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia have given rise to treefrogs, although they are not closely rela ...

. It is native to eastern Australia where it occurs from south-eastern Queensland to the southern coast of New South Wales. It is generally a coastal species and is not found inland.

Etymology

The specific name ''tyleri'' honours

Michael J. Tyler Michael J. Tyler (27 March 1937 – 26 March 2020) dubbed "The Frog Man", was an Australian herpetologist and academic, noted for his research on frogs and toads, chiefly with the University of Adelaide. History Tyler was born in Britain, and e ...

, an Australian herpetologist.

Description

This frog is grey-brown to fawn (of various shades) on its dorsal surface, and a whitish-yellow on its ventral surface. Females are larger than males and reach a maximum size of about 50 mm. It has green flecks on the back. The iris is golden in colour and it has cross-shaped pupils. This species is very similar to the

Peron's tree frog Peron's tree frog (''Litoria peronii''), also known as the emerald-spotted tree frog, emerald-speckled tree frog, laughing tree frog, and maniacal cackle frog, is species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. It is a common frog found i ...

, (''Litoria peronii''). The easiest way to tell them apart is by call, but ''L. peronii'' has strong black and yellow marbling in the thighs, armpits, hands and feet. ''L. tyleri'' has only faint yellow and brown marbling in the legs and armpits, lacking marbling in the hands and feet. This species lacks a strong black line above the tympanum, this line is present in ''L. peronii''. As it is an arboreal frog, the toe pads are larger than its toes and fingers, allowing it to grip well on branches. Its hands are partially webbed, its toes are completely webbed, and the tympanum is visible. During breeding, males can turn a very strong yellow colour.

Ecology and behaviour

This species inhabits coastal forest and cleared land. It is normally found around permanent dams, swamps, and ponds. Males call from vegetation around the water body during spring and summer, often after rain. The call of this species resembles a short laughing noise, similar to that of the Peron's tree frog, but without a downward inflection.

As a pet

It is kept as a pet; in Australia, this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

References

*
Frogs of Australia - Litoria tyleri

Frogs Australia Network - Litoria tyleri
frog call available here.
Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Tyler's Tree Frog
* ttp://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/CurrentSpeciesList.pdf Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists* *

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2275069 Litoria Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians described in 1979 Frogs of Australia