Australian green tree frog

{{Short description|Species of amphibian}} {{Hatnote |"White's tree frog" redirects here. For tree frogs that have some white colour in them, see [[White-lipped tree frog]], [[White-black tree frog]], [[White-edged tree frog]], and [[White-spotted tree frog]].}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2011}} {{Speciesbox | image = Australia green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) crop.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. |year=2022 |title=''Litoria caerulea'' |volume=2022 |article-number=e.T41082A78448102 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T41082A78448102.en |access-date=20 May 2025}}</ref> | genus = Pelodryas | species = caerulea | authority = [[John White (surgeon)|White]], 1790 | range_map = Litoria caerulea distribution.png | range_map_caption = Distribution | synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true|title=List |''Litoria caerulea'' White 1790 |''Rana caerulea'' (White 1790) |''Rana austrasiae'' (Schneider 1799) |''Hyla cyanea'' (Daudin 1803) |''Rana coerulea'' (Daudin 1803) |''Hyla cyanea'' (Peron 1807) |''Hyla irrorata'' (De Vis 1884) |''Ranoidea caerulea'' (White 1790) | synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Litoria/caerulea/ |title=''Litoria caerulea'' |work=Frogs of Australia |publisher=Amphibian Research Centre |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=Knight/> }} }}

The '''Australian green tree frog''' ('''''Pelodryas caerulea'''''), also known as simply '''green tree frog''' in Australia, '''White's tree frog''', or '''dumpy tree frog''', is a [[species]] of [[tree frog]] native to Australia and [[New Guinea]], with [[Introduced species|introduced population]]s in the United States and New Zealand, though the latter is believed to have died out. It is morphologically similar to some other members of its family, particularly the [[magnificent tree frog]] (''P. splendida'') and the [[white-lipped tree frog]] (''Sandyrana infrafrenata'').

Larger than most Australian [[frog]]s, the Australian green tree frog reaches 10 cm (4 in) or more in length. Its average lifespan in captivity, about 16 years, is long compared with most frogs. Docile and well suited to living near human dwellings, Australian green tree frogs are often found on window sills or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light. The green tree frog screams when it is in danger to scare off its foe, and squeaks when it is touched.

Due to its appearance and behavioural traits, the green tree frog is a popular [[exotic pet]] throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have [[Antiseptic|antibacterial]] and [[Antiviral drug|antiviral]] properties that may prove useful in [[pharmacology|pharmaceutical]] preparations and which have rendered it relatively immune to the [[Decline in amphibian populations|population declines being experienced by many species of amphibian]]. It is a common species and the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has assessed its conservation status as being "[[least concern]]".

==Taxonomy== [[Image:Blue frog old.jpg|thumb|left|Original print of the Australian green tree frog, published in John White's ''Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales''. Artist: S. Stone]] The Australian green tree frog is a member of the family [[Pelodryadidae]], which is [[Endemism|endemic]] to Australia and New Guinea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-genus=Ambystoma&where-species=rosaceum |title=Hylidae |work=AmphibiaWeb |access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> The common name of the species, "White's tree frog", is in honour of [[John White (surgeon)|John White]]'s first description in 1790.<ref name="e383"/><ref name=White1790>{{cite book |author=White, John |author-link=John White (surgeon) |title=Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales with sixty-five plates of non descript animals, birds, lizards, serpents, curious cones of trees and other natural productions |year=1790 |publisher=J. Debrett |location=[[London]] |url=https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/w/white/john/journal/complete.html |access-date=23 November 2013 |archive-date=16 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316030500/https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/w/white/john/journal/complete.html }} (''Rana caerulea'', new species).</ref> The green tree frog was the first Australian frog to be [[Species description|scientifically described]]; the original specimen found its way into the collection of Sir [[Joseph Banks]], but was destroyed when the [[Hunterian Museum, London|Hunterian Museum]] in London was bombed in World War II.<ref name="Tyler1993">{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/dc11235d-8b3b-43f7-b991-8429f477a1d4/files/08-fauna-2a-amphibia-hylidae.pdf |title=Family Hylidae |access-date=4 April 2015 |first=Michael J |last=Tyler |author2=Davies, Margaret |year=1993 |work=Fauna of Australia |publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]] }}</ref> [[File:Young male green tree frog speciman on green leaf.jpg|thumb|Young male specimen sitting on leaf]] The species was originally called the "blue frog" (''Rana caerulea'') despite its green colour. The specimens White sent to England were damaged by the preservative and appeared blue.<ref name=e383>Egerton, p. 383.</ref> The colour of the frog is caused by blue and green [[pigment]]s covered in a yellow layer; the preservative destroyed the yellow layer and left the frog with a blue appearance. The specific epithet, ''caerulea'', which is [[Latin]] for blue, has remained.<ref name="bruin2000"/> This frog is often referred to as ''Litoria caerulea'' in the scientific literature.<ref name="bruin2000"/> In Australia, the frog is also known more simply as the "green tree frog", but that name is often given to the most common green arboreal species in a region, such as the [[American green tree frog]] (''Hyla cinerea'').

A 2020 study showed that ''Pelodryas caerulea'' is actually a [[species complex]] that includes recently identified species such as ''[[Pelodryas mira]]'', which is endemic to [[New Guinea]].<ref name="OliverRittmeyer2020">{{cite journal|last1=Oliver|first1=Paul M.|last2=Rittmeyer|first2=Eric N.|last3=Torkkola|first3=Janne|last4=Donnellan|first4=Stephen C.|last5=Dahl|first5=Chris|last6=Richards|first6=Stephen J.|title=Multiple trans-Torres Strait colonisations by tree frogs in the ''Litoria caerulea'' group, with the description of a new species from New Guinea|journal=Australian Journal of Zoology|volume=68|issue=1|year=2020|page=25|issn=0004-959X|doi=10.1071/ZO20071|hdl=10072/404938|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

==Description== The green tree frog is a plump, rather large tree frog, and can grow up to {{convert|11.5|cm|1|abbr=on}} in length, with fully grown females being slightly larger than males. A distinctive fatty ridge is seen over the eye, and the [[parotoid gland]] is moderately large. The [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] is golden and has a horizontally slit pupil, and the [[Tympanum (anatomy)|tympanum]] (a skin membrane similar to an [[eardrum]]) is visible just behind the eye. The limbs are short and robust, and large adhesive discs are at the end of the digits which provide grip while climbing. The fingers are about one-third webbed, and the toes nearly three-quarters webbed. The dorsal colour depends on the temperature and nature of the environment, ranging from brownish- or greyish-green to bright emerald green. The frog occasionally has small, irregularly shaped white spots on its back. Males have a greyish, wrinkled vocal sac under the throat, while the throat of females is white. The ventral surface in both sexes is creamy-white and rough in texture.<ref name=e383/><ref name=fact/>

This frog is similar in appearance to the [[magnificent tree frog]] (''R. splendida''), which inhabits only north-western Australia. Older members of that species have very large parotoid glands, which cover the entire top of their heads and droop over their tympana. The parotoid gland of the green tree frog is much smaller, and it also lacks the yellow speckling on the back and the yellow markings on the hand, groin, and thigh.<ref name=Tyler1977>{{cite journal |author1=Tyler, M. J. |author2=Davies, M. |author3=Martin, A. A. |title=A new species of large green tree frog from northern western Australia |journal=Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia |year=1977 |volume=101 |issue=5 |pages=133–138 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/41071410 |access-date=23 November 2013}}</ref> It can be distinguished from the [[white-lipped tree frog]] (giant tree frog ''N. infrafrenatus'') by the distinct white stripe that species has along the edge of the lower jaw and extending to the shoulder, which is not present in the green tree frog.<ref name="Vanderduys2012">{{cite book|author= Vanderduys, Eric|title=Field Guide to the Frogs of Queensland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jlTWBiWKY5gC&pg=PA45 |year=2012 |publisher=Csiro Publishing |isbn=978-0-643-10630-7|page=45}}</ref>

Some arboreal [[Hylidae|hylid frogs]] benefit from two [[Hygroscopy#Hygroscopic hydration examples|hygroscopically-enabled hydration processes]]: transcutaneous uptake of condensation on their skin and reduced evaporative water loss. Their wiping behaviour spreads hygroscopic secretions from the [[parotoid gland]] across their skin, facilitating both methods.<ref name="Comanns2">{{cite journal |last1=Comanns |first1=Philipp |title=Passive water collection with the integument: mechanisms and their biomimetic potential |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |date=May 2018 |volume=221 |issue=10 |article-number=jeb153130 |doi=10.1242/jeb.153130|pmid=29789349 |s2cid=46893569 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2018JExpB.221B3130C }}</ref> ''P. caerulea'''s skin structure, the hygroscopic coating, and an advantageous temperature gradient combine to boost condensation and moisture uptake.

[[Image:Litoria caerulea05.jpg|thumb|Tadpole]] The tadpoles' appearance changes throughout their development. When newly hatched, they are {{convert|8|mm|1|abbr=on}} long and when fully developed, {{convert|44|mm|1|abbr=on}}. They are initially mottled with brown, and increase in pigmentation (to either green or brown) during development. Their undersides are initially dark, but later become lighter in hue. The eggs are brown and are wrapped in a clear jelly; they are {{convert|1.1|to|1.4|mm|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name="bruin2000">{{cite web |title = ''Litoria caerulea'': Information | url=http://animaldiversity.org/site/accounts/information/Litoria_caerulea.html |author=Bruin, T. |publisher=Animal Diversity Web (Museum of Zoology, [[University of Michigan]]) | year=2000 |access-date=4 April 2015 }}</ref>

The call is a low, slow ''{{not a typo|brawk-brawk-brawk}}'', repeated many times. For most of the year, the frogs call from high positions, such as trees and gutters, but during the breeding season, they descend to near the ponds and pools, where they breed. Like many frogs, green tree frogs call not only to attract a mate, but also to advertise their location outside the mating season. They are particularly vocal after rain, but the reasons for this are unclear. They emit a stress call when they are in danger, such as when being attacked by a [[Predation|predator]] or when a person steps on the log in which one is concealed.<ref name="fact"/>

==Distribution and habitat== [[File:Litoria caerulea2.JPG|thumb|upright|Specimen climbing a tree]] The green tree frog is native to northern and eastern regions of Australia and to the lowlands of New Guinea. Distribution is limited mostly to areas with warm, wet [[tropics|tropic]]al climates. Its range spans from [[Irian Jaya]] to [[Port Moresby]], and is most abundant on [[Daru Island]]. The [[International Conservation Union|IUCN]] suggests "scattered locations" in both New Guinea and Indonesia.<ref name="iucn"/> In Australia, its range extends from the Kimberley region of [[Western Australia]] through the [[Northern Territory]] and [[Queensland]] to north and central [[New South Wales]] and the extreme northeasterly part of [[South Australia]]. Its total extent of land occupancy is around {{convert|4078600|km2}}.<ref name=AmphibiaWeb>{{cite web |url=https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-scientific_name=Ranoidea+caerulea&rel-scientific_name=contains&include_synonymies=Yes|title=''Pelodryas caerulea'' |work=AmphibiaWeb |access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>

The species has been introduced to both the United States and New Zealand. In the United States, it is restricted to two regions within [[Florida]], where it was possibly introduced through the [[pet trade]]. Only small populations have been found there, and whether they have caused any [[ecology|ecological]] damage as an [[invasive species]] is unknown.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-scientific_name=Ranoidea+caerulea&rel-scientific_name=contains&include_synonymies=Yes |title=''Litoria caerulea'' (White, 1790) |access-date=4 April 2015 |year=2002 |work=Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |publisher=[[U.S. Geological Survey]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218070740/http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=2276 |archive-date=18 December 2007 }}</ref> In New Zealand, several individuals were liberated in various locations in 1897 and 1899, and a further accidental introduction was made in the 1940s. No sightings have been reported of this species since the 1950s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzfrogs.org/NZ+Frogs/Introduced+frogs.html |title=Introduced frogs |access-date=4 April 2015 |year=2006 |publisher=New Zealand Frog Research Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224191143/http://www.nzfrogs.org/NZ%2BFrogs/Introduced%2Bfrogs.html |archive-date=24 December 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Depending on their location, green tree frogs occupy various habitats. They prefer moist forests but are not strictly limited to tropical rainforests.<ref name=fact/> They are often found in the canopy of trees near water bodies, but also occupy terrestrial habitats well away from water. They favour old stands of ''[[Eucalyptus]]'', where the trees have hollows in which water collects. They are common along inland waterways and can survive in swamps (among the [[Phragmites|reed]]s) or in grasslands in cooler climates.<ref name=Vanderduys29>{{cite book|author=Vanderduys, Eric|title=Field Guide to the Frogs of Queensland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jlTWBiWKY5gC&pg=PA29 |year=2012 |publisher=Csiro Publishing |isbn=978-0-643-10630-7 |page=29}}</ref>

Green tree frogs are little troubled by the presence of humans and often live in close association with them. They sometimes stray inside houses and are found in such places as sinks and toilets. They can also be found on outside windowsills at night, eating insects attracted to the light, and they may gather under outdoor lighting for the same reason.<ref name=e383/><ref name=Vanderduys29/> They sometimes occupy tanks ([[cistern]]s), downpipes (downspouts), and gutters, as these have high humidity and are usually cooler than the external environment. They may be drawn to the downpipes and tanks during the mating season because the fixtures amplify their calls.<ref name="fact"/> Green tree frogs seem to have homing abilities, being able to return to locations from which they were caught from a considerable distance after being displaced.<ref name="Tyler1993"/>

==Ecology and behaviour== [[Image:Caerulea web.jpg|thumb|upright|An Australian green tree frog in a [[spider web|spider's web]] after eating the spider]] Australian green tree frogs are very docile and unafraid of humans.<ref name="fact"/> They are [[nocturnal]]<ref name=e383/> and come out in early evenings to call (in spring and summer) and hunt for food. During the day, they find cool, dark, and moist areas, such as tree holes or rock crevices, in which to sleep. They are not a rainforest species, but make use of the rain that falls almost daily and collects on leaves and in crevices, to keep themselves moist. Their skin exudes a waxy coating that helps prevent evaporation. In dry periods, they avoid desiccation by concealing themselves in a cool spot, perhaps by burrowing, and enveloping themselves in a cocoon made of shed skin and [[mucus]].<ref name=fact/>

The diet of the green tree frog consists mainly of [[insect]]s such as [[moth]]s, [[cockroach]]es, and [[locust]]s. They also eat [[spider]]s and can include smaller frogs and even small [[mammal]]s (including [[bat]]s<ref>{{cite journal | last=Mikula | first=Peter | title=Fish and amphibians as bat predators | journal=European Journal of Ecology | volume=1 | issue=1 | date=2015-12-22 | issn=1339-8474 | doi=10.1515/eje-2015-0010 | doi-access=free | pages=71–80 }}</ref>) among their prey.<ref name="bruin2000"/><ref name="fact"/> [[Frog zoology#Digestion and excretion|Frog teeth]] are not suited to cutting up prey, so the food item must be small enough to fit inside its mouth. [[File:Green Tree Frog on pond after Rain 01014.jpg|thumb|Green tree frogs often show up after rain]] Many frogs flick out their sticky tongues at prey and the victim sticks to the tip and is drawn back into the mouth and consumed. A green tree frog uses this technique for smaller prey; for larger items, however, it pounces, then pushes the prey into its mouth with its hands.<ref name="Tyler1993"/>

The frog has a few native predators, among them [[snake]]s and [[bird]]s. Since the [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|European settlement of Australia]], non-native predators have been introduced, primarily dogs and cats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/animals-plants/australia/nocturnal-house/green-tree-frog/|title=Green tree frog|publisher=Perth Zoo|date=10 May 2013|access-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701212846/http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/animals-plants/australia/nocturnal-house/green-tree-frog/|archive-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> The species has an average life expectancy in captivity of 16 years, but some have been known to live over 20 years.<ref name="fact">{{cite web | title=Fact Sheet: White's Tree Frog |work=Smithsonian National Zoological Park |publisher=Smithsonian Institution | url= http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Whitestreefrog.cfm| access-date=4 April 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051216192202/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Whitestreefrog.cfm| archive-date= 16 December 2005 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Reproduction== Breeding occurs between November and February.<ref name=AmphibiaWeb/> During the mating season, the males call from slightly elevated positions close to the still-water sources in which they choose to breed.<ref name="fact"/> Clumps of between 200 and 2000 eggs are laid which initially float, but sink within 24 hours. The development of the tadpoles takes about six weeks, after which they undergo [[metamorphosis]] and leave the water as juvenile frogs.

==As pets== The green tree frog is one of the most popular pet frogs throughout the world. Its docile nature and long life expectancy make it an attractive choice for [[exotic pet]] owners. It is also one of the easier frogs to maintain; its diet is broad and it has a strong resistance to disease. One problem commonly associated with keeping this species as a pet is overfeeding; green tree frogs tend to become obese if overfed. In the wild, exertion of energy is required for a frog to capture its prey. However, in captivity, they are usually given live feed in a confined space. This lessens the activity needed for feeding, resulting in weight gain. An overweight member of the species deposits fat layers over the top of the head and body, giving it a "dumpy" appearance, thus the name "dumpy tree frog".<ref name="fact"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://whitestreefrog.net/ |title=White's Tree Frog |publisher=Frog World |access-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508165206/http://whitestreefrog.net/ |archive-date=8 May 2007 }}</ref>

The rover fireflies of the genus ''[[Photinus (beetle)|Photinus]]'' (including the [[Photinus pyralis|common eastern firefly]] of [[North America]]) are poisonous to these frogs, and an incident has been reported in which a firefly was fed to a green tree frog, which subsequently died.<ref name=Knight>{{cite journal |author1=Knight, Michael |author2=Glor, Richard |author3=Smedley, Scott R. |author4=González, Andrés |author5=Adler, Kraig |author6=Eisner, Thomas |year=1999 |title=Firefly Toxicosis in Lizards |journal=Journal of Chemical Ecology |volume=25 |issue=9 |pages=1981–1986 |doi=10.1023/A:1021072303515 |bibcode=1999JCEco..25.1981K |s2cid=9341281 }}</ref>

==Conservation== [[File:Leopardenfrosch-01.jpg|thumb|left|Dark specimen in Cologne Zoo]] Australian law gives protected status to the green tree frog—along with all [[Fauna of Australia|Australian fauna]]—under the federal [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 |publisher=[[Australian Government]]| url=http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2004C03797 | access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] lists the green tree frog's conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]", given its broad range, its large total population, and its tolerance of a variety of habitat types. The population trend seems to be stable, and any decline in numbers is not likely to be at a fast enough rate to justify listing it in a more threatened category.<ref name="iucn"/>

In suburban areas, this frog is threatened by pollution and by predation by domestic animals. Also, some of the frogs have been found to be infected with the [[Chytridiomycota|chytrid]] fungus which causes the fatal amphibian disease [[chytridiomycosis]]. The frog's status in New Guinea is poorly studied, but in 2002, some 75,000 individuals were exported from Indonesia as part of the pet trade, and this may impact populations in some locations. The frog is present in a number of protected areas in New Guinea, and it has been successfully bred in some Australian zoos. Overall, the main threat to this species is the potential for a widespread disease epidemic.<ref name="iucn"/>

==Use in research== Although frogs have lungs, they absorb oxygen through their skin; for this to occur efficiently, the skin must be moist. A disadvantage of moist skin is that [[pathogen]]s such as molds and bacteria can thrive on it, increasing the chance of infection. To counteract this, frogs secrete [[peptide]]s that destroy these pathogens. The [[secretion]] from the paratoid gland of the green tree frog contains 25 caerins, a group of [[peptide]]s with [[Antibiotics|antibacterial]] and [[Antiviral protein|antiviral]] properties. The caerins produced by frogs of this species from different geographical localities have subtle but reproducible differences.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Waugh, Russell J. |author2=Stone, David J.M. |author3=Bowie, John H. |author4=Wallace, John C. |author5=Tyler, Michael J. |year=1993 |title=Peptides from Australian frogs. Structures of the caeridins from ''Litoria caerulea'' |journal=Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=573–576 |doi=10.1039/P19930000573 }}</ref> The secretions also contain [[Ceruletide|caeruleins]], which have the same physiological effects as [[Cholecystokinin|CCK-8]], a digestive hormone and hunger suppressant.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Salmon, Amanda L. |author2=Johnsen, Anders H. |author3=Bienert, Michael |author4=McMurray, Gordon |author5=Nandha, Kiran A. |author6=Bloom, Steve R. |author7=Shaw, Chris | title =Isolation, structural characterization, and bio-activity of a novel neuromedin U analog from the defensive skin secretion of the Australasian tree frog, ''Litoria caerulea''| journal = Journal of Biological Chemistry | volume = 275 | issue = 7 | pages = 4549–4554 | year = 2000 | doi =10.1074/jbc.275.7.4549 | pmid =10671478| doi-access =free }}</ref> These caeruleins now have a number of clinical applications.<ref name=Tyler1993/> Several peptides from the skin secretions of the green tree frog have been found to destroy [[HIV]] without harming healthy [[T cell]]s.<ref>{{cite web| title= Frog secretions block HIV| url= http://exploration.vanderbilt.edu/news/news_froghiv.htm| publisher= Vanderbilt University| access-date= 4 April 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051127014409/http://exploration.vanderbilt.edu/news/news_froghiv.htm| archive-date= 27 November 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vanderbilt University Medical Center|title=Frog Peptides Block HIV In Lab Study|publisher=ScienceDaily|date=30 September 2005|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050930080923.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url= |author=VanCompernolle, Scott E.|author2=Taylor, R. Jeffery|author3=Oswald-Richter, Kyra|author4=Jiang, Jiyang|author5=Youree, Bryan E.|author6=Bowie, John H.|author7=Tyler, Michael J.|author8=Conlon, J. Michael|author9=Wade, David|author10=Aiken, Christopher|author11=Dermody, Terence S.|author12=KewalRamani, Vineet N.|author13=Rollins-Smith, Louise A.|author-link13=Louise Rollins-Smith|author14=Unutmaz, Derya|title=Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibian Skin Potently Inhibit Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Transfer of Virus from Dendritic Cells to T Cells|journal=Journal of Virology|date=September 2005|volume=79|issue=18|pages=11598–11606|doi=10.1128/JVI.79.18.11598-11606.2005|pmid=16140737|pmc=1212620}}</ref>

The fungus ''[[Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis]]'', the causal agent of chytridiomycosis, is causing declines in many species of amphibians, but the secretions produced by the green tree frog and certain other Australian species of frog (''[[Chlorohyla chloris]]'' and ''[[Spicicalyx serrata]]'') are protective against this fungus. The peptides inhibit the growth of the fungus ''[[in vitro]]'' and these frog species are believed not to be in decline.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Woodhams, Douglas C. |author2=Rollins-Smith, Louise A. |author3=Carey, Cynthia |author4=Reinert, Laura |author5=Tyler, Michael J. |author6=Alford, Ross A. |year=2006 |title=Population trends associated with skin peptide defenses against chytridiomycosis in Australian frogs |journal=Oecologia |volume=146 |issue=4 |pages=531–540 |doi=10.1007/s00442-005-0228-8 |pmid=16205955 |bibcode=2006Oecol.146..531W |s2cid=1325449 }}</ref>

Green tree frogs are sometimes used as model animals in research.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Von Esse, F. V. |author2=Wright, K. M. |year=1974 |title=Effect of intracoelomic propofol in White's tree frogs, ''Pelodryas caerulea'' |journal=Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians |volume=9 |issue=7–8 }}</ref> The structure of their toe pads was used to investigate the microstructure and properties of the [[epithelium]] that allows the animals to adhere to wet surfaces.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Scholz, Ingo |author2=Barnes, W. Jon P. |author3=Smith, Joanna M. |author4=Baumgartner, Werner |year=2009 |title=Ultrastructure and physical properties of an adhesive surface, the toe pad epithelium of the tree frog, ''Litoria caerulea'' White |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=212 |issue=2 |pages=155–162 |url=http://jeb.biologists.org/content/212/2/155.full |doi=10.1242/jeb.019232|pmid=19112133 |pmc=2720997 |bibcode=2009JExpB.212..155S }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography== {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book|author=Australian Biological Resources Study |title=Fauna of Australia: Amphibia & Reptilia |year=1993 |publisher=Australian Govt. Pub. Service |location=Canberra |isbn=978-0-644-32429-8 |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/node/13758}} * {{cite web |author=Bruin, T. |title=ADW: ''Litoria caerulea'': Information | url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Litoria_caerulea.html| access-date=2005-06-12 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050612004425/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Litoria_caerulea.html| archive-date= 12 June 2005 | url-status= live}} *{{cite book| author=Cogger, Harold G.| author-link=Harold Cogger| year=1979| title=Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia| publisher=A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTS| isbn=978-0-589-50108-2}} * Egerton, L. ed. (2005). ''Encyclopedia of Australian wildlife''. Reader's Digest {{ISBN|1-876689-34-X}} *{{cite book|author=Menzies, J. I.| year=1976| title=Handbook of Common New Guinea Frogs| publisher=Wau Ecology Institute}} *{{cite book|author=Tyler, M. J.| year=1994| title=Australian Frogs A Natural History| publisher=Reed Books| isbn=978-0-7301-0468-1}} {{Refend}}

==External links== {{Spoken Wikipedia|White's_Tree_Frog.ogg|date=2006-08-20}} {{Commons category-inline|Litoria caerulea}} {{Wikispecies-inline|Litoria caerulea}}

[[Category:Pelodryadidae]] [[Category:Amphibians of New Guinea]] [[Category:Amphibians of New South Wales]] [[Category:Amphibians of Queensland]] [[Category:Amphibians of South Australia]] [[Category:Amphibians of the Northern Territory]] [[Category:Amphibians of Western Australia]] [[Category:Amphibians described in 1790]] [[Category:Frogs of Australia]] [[Category:Taxa named by John White (surgeon)]]