Motorbike frog
The motorbike frog (Ranoidea moorei) is a ground-dwelling tree frog of the subfamily Pelodryadinae found in Southwest Australia.[3] Its common name is derived 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,[1][3] the western bell frog, western green and golden bell frog,[4] and western green tree frog. The Noongar name for it is Kyooya.[5]Note 1
| Motorbike frog | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Ranoidea |
| Species: | R. moorei |
| Binomial name | |
| Ranoidea moorei (Copland, 1957) | |
| Distribution of Ranoidea moorei[2] | |
Taxonomy edit
R. moorei is a member of the Ranoidea aurea complex (Ranoidea aurea, R. raniformis and "Litoria" castanea).
Description edit
R. moorei is able to camouflage itself well, and ranges in colour from dark brown, through green, to 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, Ranoidea cyclorhynchus, which is darker and spotted with yellow there.
Typical of tree frogs, its toe pads enable it to climb smooth vertical surfaces. Its hind legs are powerful, and the toes are webbed. In mating season, the males develop black nuptial pads that enable them to cling to the females' backs during amplexus. R. moorei can be up to 7.5 cm in length.[3]
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.[3] 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 crowd together in schools.
Distribution and habitat edit
South-west corner of Western Australia,[2][6] from as far north as the Geraldton Sandplains,[7] to the Esperance Plains on the south coast of WA.[8] A population exists on Rottnest Island,[4] and the species is one of the most well known frogs found in urban Perth areas.[9]
The estimated altitudinal range of the species is from 0–600 m asl.[1] 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.
Ecology and behaviour edit
Breeding season is from early spring through to late summer. The male's mating call sounds like a motorbike changing gears. 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, R. moorei seldom climbs higher than 1–2 m, on plants, shrubs, brick walls, or windows.
Their diets consist mainly of arthropods, but also include smaller frogs, including juveniles of the same species. The tadpole's main diet is algae, but they also eat animal matter when available. Tadpoles, like adult frogs, sunbathe for one or two hours each day for healthy growth.
They can live without water for extended periods of time.
Threats edit
Unlike the eastern members of the species complex, the motorbike frog has not suffered from dramatic declines, despite chytrid fungus being present in areas which they inhabit.
Gallery edit
- Juvenile motorbike frog
- Calling, Bayswater
- Three-week-old Ranoidea moorei tadpoles, backyard pond, Bayswater
- Ranoidea moorei calling, Swanbourne
See also edit
- Green and golden bell frog - closely related[10]
Notes edit
External links edit
- Noongar man saying the Noongar word for motorbike frog at 1:33, Noongar pronunciation guide: Kep barna (Water creatures)
References edit
- ^ a b c International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. "Litoria moorei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ a b Black, Dave. "Frogs of Australia > Litoria moorei / Motorbike Frog". frogs.org.au. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d . museum.wa.gov.au. Western Australian Museum. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ a b . fnpw.org.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Rewild Perth. "Search: Species: Litoria moorei : Motorbike Frog Occurrence records". rewildperth.com.au/. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ Atlas of Living Australia. "Search: Species: Litoria moorei : Motorbike Frog Occurrence records". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ "Occurrence record: REPT:R96682". Atlas of Living Australia (http://biocache.ala.org.au). Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ "Occurrence record: REPT:R64692". Atlas of Living Australia (http://biocache.ala.org.au). Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Michael J. Bamford; Natalia Huang (2009). (PDF). www.water.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ "The Green and Golden Bell Frog Key Population at Kurnell" (PDF). www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Whitehurst, Rose (1997). Noongar Dictionary: Noongar to English, English to Noongar (PDF) (2nd ed.). Noongar Language and Cultural Centre. p. 36. ISBN 0 646 12355 6. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
Further reading edit
- Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler, M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 0-949324-61-2.
- "Amphibian Species of the World - Litoria moorei (Copland, 1957)". Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2006.
- "Frogs of Australia > Litoria moorei / Motorbike Frog". Retrieved 28 August 2006.
External links edit
- Media related to Ranoidea moorei at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Motorbike frog at Wikispecies