Litoria rheocola


Common Mist Frog

Photos

  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Jodi Rowley
  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Jodi Rowley
  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Distribution

Distribution map for Litoria rheocola
Formerly found throughout the Wet Tropics region of QLD, but has declined severely due to the amphibian chytrid fungus and is now only found at lower elevations within its former range.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Near Threatened

Photos

  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Jodi Rowley
  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Jodi Rowley
  • Litoria rheocola
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Stephen Mahony

Call recorded by Wise Hok Wai Lum

Call recorded by Keith McDonald

Call recorded by Justin McMahon

Call recorded by Justin McMahon

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to nearly 4.5 cm in body length. It has a grey, olive-grey or light brown back, with pale or dark brown mottling, and often a wide, longitudinal patch along the middle that starts between the eyes. The belly is white or pale pink. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is copper coloured. The male has small black nuptial spines on the thumbs that help to grip the female during mating. Fingers are one-third webbed and toes are nearly fully webbed, both with large discs. A taxonomic revision of the Australian treefrogs published in June 2025 has suggested that this species be placed in the genus Mosleyia, resulting in the proposed species name of Mosleyia rheocola.

Habitats

Occurs near fast flowing rocky streams in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as a cluster attached under rocks in streams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 5 cm, and are brown and gold, or black in colour, with gold or silver mottling. They use their very large mouth-parts to stick to rocks in order to avoid being swept away by flowing water. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies and it is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to summer.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Litoria lorica, Litoria nannotis and Litoria nyakalensis in its distribution, but Litoria nyakalensis has larger black nuptial spines and a different call, while Litoria lorica and Litoria nannotis are more mottled and lack a wide, longitudinal patch in the middle of the back as present in Litoria rheocola.