Motorbike Frog
Encyclopedia
Litoria moorei is a frog well known in Southwest Australia
, its notoriety deriving from the call suggestive of a common name, the Motorbike Frog. It is a ground dwelling tree frog
of the Hylidae family, one of only three species of Hylids occurring in that region. One common name comes from the male frog's mating call which sounds similar to a motorbike changing up through gears; it is also known as Moore's Frog, the Western Bell Frog, the Western Green and Golden Bell Frog, and the Western Green Tree Frog.
Litoria moorei is able to camouflage itself well, and ranges in colour from dark brown, through to green and gold. The underside is noticeably lighter, and usually ranges from very pale green to light brown. The light green of the groin and thigh distinguishes this species from its cogenor, Litoria cyclorhyncha
, which is darker and spotted with yellow there.
Typical of tree frogs, it has toe pads which enable it to climb smooth vertical surfaces. Its hind legs are powerful, and the toes are webbed. In mating season the male develop black nuptial pad
s that enable it to cling to the female’s back during amplexus
.
The tadpole
's body is a uniform dark brown above with a silvery sheen below, initially minute in size, they grow to a very large 80 mm in length. The tadpoles usually hide amongst vegetation, but are easily encouraged out of hiding when food is presented. For most of their time as tadpoles, they often crowd together in schools.
Breeding season is from early spring through to late summer. The male's mating call sounds like a motorbike changing gear. The males usually find a suitable clump of reeds or other water plants, from which to call. When a female joins the male in the water, the male grips onto the female’s back, using his nuptial pads, that appear during breeding season. Large clumps of eggs, encased in a transparent jelly, are attached to floating vegetation and debris.
Despite being a tree frog, Litoria moorei seldom climbs higher than one or two meters, on plants, shrubs, brick walls or windows.
Diet consists mainly of arthropods, but also includes smaller frogs, including juveniles of the same species. The tadpole's main diet is algae, but they will also eat meat when available. Tadpoles, like adult frogs, sunbathe for one or two hours each day for healthy growth.
A wide and populous distribution through lakes and swamps has readily incorporated garden ponds and farm dams where they are often found sunbathing on the upper leaves of plants. They can live without water for extended periods of time.
Litoria moorei is a member of the Litoria aurea complex. Unlike the eastern members of the complex (Litoria aurea, L. raniformis and L. castanea) the Motorbike Frog has not suffered from dramatic declines, despite chytrid fungus being present in areas which they inhabit.
. The species is one of the most well known amphibians of Western Australia
. They are the most common frog to be found in Perth gardens.
Southwest Australia
Southwest Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregions of Western Australia. The region has a wet-winter, dry-summer Mediterranean climate, one of five such regions in the world...
, its notoriety deriving from the call suggestive of a common name, the Motorbike Frog. It is a ground dwelling tree frog
Tree frog
Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as "tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semi-aquatic.-Characteristics:...
of the Hylidae family, one of only three species of Hylids occurring in that region. One common name comes from the male frog's mating call which sounds similar to a motorbike changing up through gears; it is also known as Moore's Frog, the Western Bell Frog, the Western Green and Golden Bell Frog, and the Western Green Tree Frog.
Physical description
Litoria cyclorhyncha
Litoria cyclorhyncha is a Western Australian tree frog species in the Hylidae family.The frog is similar in appearance to a cogenor, Litoria moorei, bearing dark green or brownish patches with bronze or gold highlights on its back; this species can be differentiated by the numerous yellowish spots...
, which is darker and spotted with yellow there.
Typical of tree frogs, it has toe pads which enable it to climb smooth vertical surfaces. Its hind legs are powerful, and the toes are webbed. In mating season the male develop black nuptial pad
Nuptial pad
A nuptial pad is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders. Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland appears as a spiked epithelial swelling on the forearm and prepollex that aids with grip, used primarily by males to grasp females during amplexus...
s that enable it to cling to the female’s back during amplexus
Amplexus
Amplexus is a form of pseudocopulation in which a male amphibian grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process...
.
The tadpole
Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.- Appellation :...
's body is a uniform dark brown above with a silvery sheen below, initially minute in size, they grow to a very large 80 mm in length. The tadpoles usually hide amongst vegetation, but are easily encouraged out of hiding when food is presented. For most of their time as tadpoles, they often crowd together in schools.
Ecology and behaviour
Despite being a tree frog, Litoria moorei seldom climbs higher than one or two meters, on plants, shrubs, brick walls or windows.
Diet consists mainly of arthropods, but also includes smaller frogs, including juveniles of the same species. The tadpole's main diet is algae, but they will also eat meat when available. Tadpoles, like adult frogs, sunbathe for one or two hours each day for healthy growth.
A wide and populous distribution through lakes and swamps has readily incorporated garden ponds and farm dams where they are often found sunbathing on the upper leaves of plants. They can live without water for extended periods of time.
Litoria moorei is a member of the Litoria aurea complex. Unlike the eastern members of the complex (Litoria aurea, L. raniformis and L. castanea) the Motorbike Frog has not suffered from dramatic declines, despite chytrid fungus being present in areas which they inhabit.
Distribution
Port Gregory north of Geraldton, to the Albany region, and inland to the western wheatbelt. Also quite common in the Perth region, particularly in the Swan Coastal PlainSwan Coastal Plain
The Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia is the geographic feature which contains the Swan River as it travels west to the Indian Ocean. The coastal plain continues well beyond the boundaries of the Swan River and its tributaries, as a geological and biological zone, one of Western Australia's...
. The species is one of the most well known amphibians of Western Australia
Amphibians of Western Australia
The Amphibians of Western Australia are represented by two families of frogs. Of the 78 species found, most within the southwest, 38 are unique to the state. 15 of the 30 genera of Australian frogs occur; from arid regions and coastlines to permanent wetlands....
. They are the most common frog to be found in Perth gardens.