Chocolate tree frog
| Chocolate tree frog | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pelodryadidae |
| Genus: | Pelodryas |
| Species: | P. mira
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pelodryas mira Oliver, Rittmeyer, Torkkola, Donnellan, Dahl & Richards, 2021 "2020"
| |
The chocolate tree frog (Pelodryas mira) is a species of arboreal frog in the family Pelodryadidae[1][2].
It was discovered in New Guinea in 2021 by a research team led by Griffith University.[3][4][5]
Taxonomy and systematics
It is likely that both the chocolate frog and the Australian green tree frog were derived from a common ancestor when Australia and New Guinea were linked by land about 2.6 million years ago.[6][7] It was named mira (meaning surprised or strange in Latin) because of the surprising nature of the discovery, and its chocolate-brown skin.[8][9][10]
Description
Ranoidea mira bears a close resemblance with the Australian green tree frog. They both look similar apart from their skin color. Ranoidea mira has a combination of webbing on hand, large size, limbs that are relatively short and robust as well as small violet patch of skin present on the edges of its eyes. It is a little smaller than the Australian green tree frog, at between 7 cm and 8 cm when fully mature.[4][11][12]
Distribution and habitat
The chocolate tree frog is endemic to New Guinea.[3]
References
- ^ Hutchins, Colin (28 May 2021). "A new chocolate frog reveals ancient links between Australia & New Guinea". news.griffith.edu.au. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2026). "Pelodryas mira (Oliver, Rittmeyer, Torkkola, Dahl, Donnellan, and Richards, 2021 "2020")". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.2. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ^ a b Oliver, Paul M.; Rittmeyer, Eric N.; Torkkola, Janne; Donnellan, Stephen C.; Dahl, Chris; Richards, Stephen J. (2020). "Multiple trans-Torres Strait colonisations by tree frogs in the Litoria caerulea group, with the description of a new species from New Guinea". Australian Journal of Zoology. 68 (1): 25. doi:10.1071/ZO20071. hdl:10072/404938. ISSN 0004-959X. S2CID 235258302.
- ^ a b "Australian scientist discovers 'chocolate frog' in New Guinea swamps". The Guardian. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Natali (28 May 2021). "New Frog Species from New Guinea Has 'Lovely Chocolate Coloring'". Sci-News. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "Litoria Mira real life version of chocolate frog found all you need to know about it". The Financial Express. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Amy Woodyatt (29 May 2021). "Scientists discover new 'chocolate frog' in swamp". CNN. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ Woodyatt, Amy (29 May 2021). "Scientists discover new 'chocolate frog' in swamp". CNN. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ Nath, Dipanita. "2 June 2021". Indian express. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Adorable New Chocolate Frog Species Discovered, But You Definitely Shouldn't Eat It". IFLScience. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "Meet 'chocolate frog': This newly discovered species is straight out of Harry Potter world". India Today. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ "New (And Very Cute) 'Chocolate Frog' Species Identified By Scientists". HuffPost. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.