Kingdom Animalia Class Amphibia Family Hylidae Scientific name Litoria myola | Phylum Chordata Order Anura Genus Litoria Rank Species | |
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Conservation status Critically Endangered (Population decreasing) Similar Frog, Amphibians, Hylidae, Litoria jungguy, Armoured frog | ||
Litoria myola, the Kuranda tree frog or Myola tree frog, is a critically endangered species of frog in the Hylidae family. It is endemic to the wet tropics of Australia.
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Description
Litoria myola is similar to the green-eyed tree frog (Litoria serrata). It is a medium-sized stream and tropical forest frog. There is sexual dimorphism displayed between sexes; males are smaller than the females. This species is generally a mottled pattern of tan and brown on the body and a whitish cream color on the ventral surface but variations occur. A green crescent is visible above the eye (also present in the co-existing green eye tree frog) and iris and the back surface of forearms and legs are fringed as in the similar and co-existing green-eyed tree frog.
Distribution and habitat
Litoria myola is native to Far North Queensland, Australia. It is mainly found in tributaries and creeks flowing from the Barron river around Kuranda, Myola, Kowrowa and Oak Forest. This species is threatened by habitat destruction, domestic animal predation, invasive weeds, hybridization and the chytrid fungus. Most of its current forested range has been cleared and has re-grown. Recently 200 hectares of forest has been cleared and a controversial dam was built for a development close to Myola.