Lost Frog Species
The majority of lost frogs are tree frogs, as these frogs often live in banana plantations, and are moved with the bananas when they are cut down for shipping. Therefore the majority of frogs that end up becoming lost frogs are:
- Dainty green tree frog (Litoria gracilenta)—also known as banana frogs for this exact reason
- Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea}
- Eastern dwarf tree frog (Litoria fallax)
- White lipped tree frog (Litoria infrafrenata)
- Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii)
In building and landscaping materials ground frogs are the main species which are transported; the spotted grass frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) is well known for being moved long distance in such materials. There are colonies of this species in areas far from their native range, which are thought to be the result of their accidental transportation.
Cane toads (Bufo marinus) are also known to become lost frogs, however they can usually adapt to change, and often do not die once they reach their destination. The movement of cane toads in building material is one of the causes for the spread of the species around Australia. Populations of cane toads ahead of their main frontier, such as the former population at Port Macquarie, are believed to be displaced toads moved from areas in Queensland.
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