Litoria balatus

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 4.2 cm in body length. It has a light brown or cream-coloured back, with a wide, brown longitudinal stripe along the middle. The belly is cream-coloured, and the male has a black vocal sac. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is red in the top half and brown in the lower half. Fingers are one-third webbed and toes are three-quarters webbed, both with large, sometimes yellow discs. This species was only just named as new to science by a team of researchers including from the Australian Museum. The species was previously being confused with Litoria dentata. Recordings submitted to FrogID were analysed as part of the scientific paper formally describing and scientifically naming the species. Your recordings really do contribute to better understanding and conserving our frogs!

Breeding Biology

Breeds in shallow ephemeral drainage lines, wetlands, as well as in small dams. Much of its breeding biology is unknown, but is likely similar to Litoria dentata.

Similar Species

Most similar to Litoria dentata and Litoria quiritatus. It does not overlap in range with Litoria quiritatus but may overlap slightly with Litoria dentata around the Scenic Rim region of Queensland. It can be distinguished from Litoria dentata by having a more slender build, a pale dorsolateral line that runs to the groin (versus diffusing around the arm), and males with a black vocal sac versus a dirty yellow or brown when inflated. Looks somewhat similar to Litoria rubella, and Litoria verreauxii in its distribution. It can be distinguished from Litoria verreauxii by a lack of bright colours in the armpits or back of the thighs, while Litoria rubella lacks the wide, brown longitudinal stripe along the middle of its back and has a more robust body.