Superb banjo frog
| Superb banjo frog | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Limnodynastidae |
| Genus: | Limnodynastes |
| Species: | L. terraereginae |
| Binomial name | |
| Limnodynastes terraereginae Fry, 1915[2] | |
The superb banjo frog (Limnodynastes terraereginae) is a species of ground-dwelling burrowing frogs native to Cape York, far-northern Queensland, Australia.
Description
This is a large species of frog reaching 94 mm in length. It is brown above with irregular darker blotches with magenta suffusions markings in the thighs and bright yellow flanks. There is a dark band which runs from the snout to the shoulder. It is underlined by a raised cream to orange bar. The armpit is orange and the belly is white. The distinctive abrupt calls of this group give them the name Banjo Frogs or Pobblebonks.
Ecology and behaviour
It is a burrowing species and will spend time underground during dry periods. It is associated with dams, flooded areas and ditches in forest, woodland, cleared land or farmland. Males make a high pitched "bonk" call from concealed positions in water after heavy rains from October to May.
Eggs are laid in a large floating foamy mass. Tadpoles hatch about 2 to 3 days after laying. Tadpoles are very dark brown and reach 70 mm. Tadpole development takes about 70 days and metamorphs measure 20 mm and resemble the adult, however thigh coloration does not become apparent until about 1 week later.
Similar species
It is similar to the scarlet-sided banjo frog and the coastal banjo frog, from which it can be distinguished on distribution, size, coloration and calls.[2]
References
- ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Limnodynastes terraereginae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T41167A78443072. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T41167A78443072.en. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- 1 2 Parkin, Tom; Rowley, Jodi J. L.; Gillard, Grace L.; Sopniewsky, Jarrod; Shea, Glenn M.; Donnellan, Stephen C. (22 March 2024). "Systematics and Taxonomy of the Northern Banjo Frog (Anura: Limnodynastidae: Limnodynastes terraereginae) and Allied Taxa". Ichthyology and Herpetology. 112: 76–105. doi:10.1643/h2023025.
- Parkin, Tom; Rowley, Jodi J. L.; Gillard, Grace L.; Sopniewsky, Jarrod; Shea, Glenn M.; Donnellan, Stephen C. (22 March 2024). "Systematics and Taxonomy of the Northern Banjo Frog (Anura: Limnodynastidae: Limnodynastes terraereginae) and Allied Taxa". Ichthyology and Herpetology. 112: 76–105. doi:10.1643/h2023025.
- Robinson, M. (2002). A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Sydney: Australian Museum/Reed New Holland. ISBN 9781876334833.
- Anstis, M. (2002). Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Sydney: Reed New Holland. ISBN 1876334630.
- Australian Frog Database (2005-02-23). "Limnodynastes terraereginae - Scarlet Sided Pobblebonk". Frogs Australia Network. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24.
- Department of Environment and Science (2016-05-25). "Northern banjo frog". Environment. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2021-02-21.