Northern Sedge Frog; Northern Dwarf Tree Frog
(Litoria bicolor)
National Status: Not listed/Common
State Status: Not listed/Common (NT)
DISTRIBUTION :
The northern sedge frog is confined to northern Australia, distributed from the Kimberley to Cape York Peninsula and as far south as the central coast of Queensland. They are common across much of their range, becoming locally abundant around wetter habitats.
HABITAT
Sedge frogs occur in a variety of habitats in around permanent to temporary water bodies, including lagoons, swamps and other marsh environments, and streamside vegetation. Here they are highly associated with overhanging and dense vegetation such as pandanus, reeds and other riparian and wetland vegetation, which they use for cover, elevated perches for calling or exposed areas for basking in the sun.
THREATS
No major threats are recorded for the species. Providing there is some vegetation in and around water bodies, sedge frogs flourish in many disturbed environments. The fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytrid Fungus) has affected some frog species in northern Australia, particularly those at higher altitudes. Sedge frogs occur mainly at lower elevations and also regularly bask in the sun, which has been shown to prevent and/or kill Chytrid fungus.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Sedge frogs are one of Australia's smallest tree frogs, attaining a total length of only 30-40 mm. As with many tree frogs, they are primarily active by night (nocturnal), though are often encountered basking on elevated perches or calling from dense vegetation during the day. They are a summer breeder, timing it perfectly with the northern Australian wet season, laying their eggs in the water, where they are attached to submerged vegetation. The species also has several colour forms. All individuals possess a distinctive brown and white stripe extending from the nose along side the body and a creamy white underbelly, though the dorsal surface can vary from bright to dull green, green with a bronze stripe along the dorsal surface or entirely bronze.