Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Spotted tree frog (Polypedates maculatus)

Spotted tree frog is widely distributed in both low country dry and wet zones including arid zone up to 460m above sea level. It is commonly encountered in anthropogenic habitats and during day time it use to hides in cool places such as inside bath rooms and banana groves.  This frog can change its color up to certain extent and dorsal color may vary from light brown and yellow to reddish brown. Dark brown patches on dorsal surface can be seen sometimes and hence the name maculatus, since maculatus in Latin is the one who bear spots or patches on its body.  Loreal region is dark brown and dark cross bars can be seen on dorsal side of limbs. 

2 comments:

  1. I didn't know they could change colors, I would have thought these photos show two different species!

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  2. Amila
    Actually these photoes show two different frogs but belong to same species. Both were captured inside Thabbowa forest bungalow. Most amphibian can change their body color up to certain extent by a hormone called melanosyte stimulating hormone produced by their pituitary gland. So when it come to distinguish one frog species from another its body color is not much helpful, but its color pattern. Such as loreal region mention of above species is darker than other part of both of above individuals though it is comparatively lighter of right hand corner one's.

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