Eastern Banjo Frog
Encyclopedia
Limnodynastes dumerilii is a frog
species from the family
Myobatrachidae
. The informal names for this species, and its subspecies, include
Eastern or Southern Banjo Frog, and Bull frog. The frog is also called the pobblebonk after its distinctive "bonk" call, which is likened to a banjo
string being plucked. It is native to eastern Australia
and has been introduced
to New Zealand
. There are five subspecies of L. dumerilii, each with different skin coloration.
l gland, fleshy : metatarsal tubercules and a smooth white or mottled belly. The tadpole
stage is relatively long, lasting up to fifteen months. The species is common.
The five subspecies of Limnodynastes dumerilii are:
, northern Victoria
and the Murray River
into South Australia
. This subspecies normally inhabits woodland, heathland and farmland. Breeding takes place in streams, ponds and dams. Males of this subspecies have the most characteristic banjo like "bonk" of the all the subspecies. They are distinguished from other subspecies by more orange present on the flank and an orange raised stripe present from the eye to the shoulder. The subspecies is normally one solid color on the dorsal surface.
. It inhabits coastal swamps, dams, ponds associated with forest and heathland. This species doesn't breed in flowing water, which helps with distinguishing it from L. d. dumerilii in places where both occur. This is the most variegated of the subspecies, often with patches or blotches of a different color on the dorsal surface. The call of this species sounds more like a "tok", similar but louder than the Striped Marsh Frog
.
area of south-eastern New South Wales. Males call from ponds or pools of streams in spring and summer. Due to its restricted range it is unlikely to be confused with other subspecies, however it is pale on the dorsal surface with fairly indistinct patches or variegations.
In Western Australia
the Western Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dorsalis
, is common around Perth
. It also has a musical, resonant "plonk" call and is also called a pobblebonk.
In Queensland
, the Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk, Limnodynastes terraereginae, is a small fat frog with distinctive orange or red irregular markings.
In Western New South Wales
, the Giant Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes interioris, is a similar species that tends to inhabit more arid areas than Limnodynastes dumerilii.
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
species from the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Myobatrachidae
Myobatrachidae
Myobatrachidae is a family of frogs found in Australia and New Guinea. Members of this family vary greatly in size, from species less than long, to the second largest frog in Australia, the Giant Barred Frog , at in length...
. The informal names for this species, and its subspecies, include
Eastern or Southern Banjo Frog, and Bull frog. The frog is also called the pobblebonk after its distinctive "bonk" call, which is likened to a banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
string being plucked. It is native to eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and has been introduced
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. There are five subspecies of L. dumerilii, each with different skin coloration.
Description
Adults are roughly seven to eight centimetres long with dark warty backs, a prominent tibiaTibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
l gland, fleshy : metatarsal tubercules and a smooth white or mottled belly. The tadpole
Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.- Appellation :...
stage is relatively long, lasting up to fifteen months. The species is common.
The five subspecies of Limnodynastes dumerilii are:
Eastern Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii dumerilii
This is the most widespread of the five subspecies. It is mostly associated with the slopes and ranges of New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, northern Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
into South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. This subspecies normally inhabits woodland, heathland and farmland. Breeding takes place in streams, ponds and dams. Males of this subspecies have the most characteristic banjo like "bonk" of the all the subspecies. They are distinguished from other subspecies by more orange present on the flank and an orange raised stripe present from the eye to the shoulder. The subspecies is normally one solid color on the dorsal surface.
Eastern Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii grayi
This subspecies occurs along the coast of New South Wales, south to Jervis BayJervis Bay
Jervis Bay is a large bay bounded by the state of New South Wales, the Jervis Bay Territory, and a detached enclave of the Australian Capital Territory. HMAS Creswell is located between Jervis Bay Village and Greenpatch in the Jervis Bay Territory.-History:...
. It inhabits coastal swamps, dams, ponds associated with forest and heathland. This species doesn't breed in flowing water, which helps with distinguishing it from L. d. dumerilii in places where both occur. This is the most variegated of the subspecies, often with patches or blotches of a different color on the dorsal surface. The call of this species sounds more like a "tok", similar but louder than the Striped Marsh Frog
Striped Marsh Frog
The Striped Marsh Frog or Brown-striped Frog is a predominantly aquatic frog native to eastern Australia. It is distributed from North Queensland, through all of coastal New South Wales, Southern Victoria to eastern South Australia and Northern Tasmania.-Physical description:This frog reaches...
.
Snowy Mountains Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii fryi
This is the most restricted of the subspecies. It is only found in the Snowy MountainsSnowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains, known informally as "The Snowies", are the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 metres AHD, approximately 7310 feet....
area of south-eastern New South Wales. Males call from ponds or pools of streams in spring and summer. Due to its restricted range it is unlikely to be confused with other subspecies, however it is pale on the dorsal surface with fairly indistinct patches or variegations.
Southern Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii insularis
This subspecies occurs south of Jervis Bay, along the south coast of New South Wales, in eastern Victoria and throughout Tasmania. It is characterised and distinguished by blue coloration present on the flank. There is often a pale mid-dorsal stripe. Males call from a concealed position in water during spring, summer and autumn.Southern Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dumerilii variegata
This subspecies is very similar to Limnodynastes dumerilii insularis. This subspecies occurs in western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. It is chiefly distinguished by range.Ecology and behavior
Limnodynastes dumerilii is a burrowing frog. During dry times, and often just during the day, they will burrow underground. They will often be seen in large numbers after rain, and under the right conditions mass spawning can occur over just a few days. They have been known to call while underground, and can do so at any time of the year after rain.Related species
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
the Western Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes dorsalis
Limnodynastes dorsalis
Limnodynastes dorsalis is a frog species from the family Myobatrachidae. The informal names for this species are Western Banjo Frog, Pobblebonk, Sand frog and Bullfrog. It is one of the endemic amphibians of Western Australia....
, is common around Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. It also has a musical, resonant "plonk" call and is also called a pobblebonk.
In Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, the Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk, Limnodynastes terraereginae, is a small fat frog with distinctive orange or red irregular markings.
In Western New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, the Giant Banjo Frog, Limnodynastes interioris, is a similar species that tends to inhabit more arid areas than Limnodynastes dumerilii.