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}} The Australian green tree frog, simply green tree frog in Australia, White's tree frog, or dumpy tree frog (''Litoria caerulea'') is a species of tree frog native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in the United States and New Zealand, though the latter is believed to have died out. The species belongs to the genus ''Litoria''. It is morphologically similar to some other members of the genus, particularly the magnificent tree frog (''L. splendida'') and the white-lipped tree frog (''L. infrafrenata''). Larger than most Australian frogs, 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 antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations and which have rendered it relatively immune to the 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== The Australian green tree frog is a member of the New World tree frog family Hylidae and is placed in the subfamily "Pelodryadinae" which is endemic to Australia and New Guinea and includes about 160 species in the genera ''Cyclorana'', ''Litoria'' and ''Nyctimystes''.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Hylidae )〕 Frogs in the genus ''Litoria'' are distinguishable from other tree frogs by the presence of horizontal irises and the lack of pigmentation on the eyelids. The common name of the species, "White's tree frog", is in honour of John White's first description in 1790.〔〔 (''Rana caerulea'', new species).〕 The green tree frog was the first Australian frog to be scientifically described; the original specimen found its way into the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, but was destroyed when the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in London was bombed in World War II. 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.〔Egerton, p. 383.〕 The colour of the frog is caused by blue and green pigments 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.〔 This frog is sometimes referred to as ''Pelodryas caerulea'' in the scientific literature.〔 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''). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Australian green tree frog」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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