Imma Perfetto
Cosmos science journalist
In a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter, scientists have spotted an extremely rare bright blue Magnificent Tree Frog (Litoria splendida) at a remote wildlife sanctuary in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Normally, these frogs are green with white or yellow spots across its back, a white belly, and bright yellow or orange armpits, groin, and backs of thighs.
The scientists from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy believe this is the first recorded instance of a blue colour mutation in the Magnificent Tree Frog.
The abnormal colouration, known as axanthism, is caused by a mutation that interferes with the frog’s ability to produce yellow pigment.
“Very occasionally, a green frog is missing yellow pigment in its skin, and it results in an entirely or mostly blue frog,” says Jodi Rowley, curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
“I’ve seen tens of thousands of frogs over the years, and only seen one blue frog – and it was nowhere near as spectacular as this Magnificent Tree Frog. A rare encounter and one that highlights the spectacular diversity of Australia’s frogs!”
AWC field ecologist Jake Barker was among those who first encountered the frog at Charnley River-Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary on Wilinggin Country.
“It was after dark when we first spotted it, perched on a bench in the workshop near our research centre,” says Barker.
“It was very exciting. Magnificent tree frogs are already spectacular, but to see a blue one is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
L. splendida is one of the largest species of amphibians in Australia, growing to about 12 centimetres. It is only found in the northern Kimberley and adjacent parts of the Northern Territory.
“This is one of a number of north-west endemics that we come across pretty regularly around here,” says Barker.
“They’re not found anywhere else. That’s the great thing about working in the Kimberley – you never know what rare wildlife you’re going to see each day.”
