The Australian green tree frog stands out for its color, posture, and the fact that it seems like they are always smiling. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Queensland (Australia) has discovered a relative of this species whose appearance has earned it the name “chocolate frog”, due to its cocoa-like tone.
“What’s a bit surprising about this discovery is that Australia’s well-known and common green tree frog has a long-ignored relative that lives in the lowland rainforests of New Guinea,” said Paul Oliver, leader of the job. “That’s why we called the new frog Litoria mira because the word Mira means surprised or strange in Latin.”
According to experts, it is proof of the ancient links between Australia and New Guinea, which were connected by land between two million and five million years ago. The Australian Green Tree Frog found in North Queensland and its chocolate-colored cousin evolved in parallel after the two landmasses separated.
The two species look similar, except that one is usually green, while the new species is usually a beautiful chocolate color.
“While New Guinea is not a place that most Australians know well, they do share many groups of animals, so understanding the biodiversity in New Guinea helps us understand the history and origins of Australia’s unique wildlife. “, clarify the authors.
Reference: Multiple trans-Torres Strait colonizations by tree frogs in the Litoria caerulea group, with the description of a new species from New Guinea Paul M. Oliver, Eric N. Rittmeyer, Janne Torkkola, Stephen C. Donnellan, Chris Dahl and Stephen J Richards Australian Journal of Zoology 68 (1) 25-39 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO20071
Submitted: 26 July 2020 Accepted: 2 March 2021 Published: 20 May 2021
