Description of a new treefrog species from western New Guinea showing extreme colour polymorphism (Anura, Hylidae, Litoria)

Abstract

On the basis of recently collected material a new species of the hylid genus Litoria is described from the Wondiwoi Mts. at the base of the Wandammen Peninsula, northwestern New Guinea, Papua, Province of Indonesia. The new species is among the larger species of the Papuan Litoria and shows extreme variation in its dorsal coloration. The abdomen and inferior thighs are red-spotted which is unique among Papuan hylids. The mating calls are short wooden rattles which are emitted in long chains. The new species could not be allocated to any particular species group proposed by other authors.