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Australian Desert Tree Frogs & Evaporative Water Loss, and Color Change

Unlike most desert frogs, Litoria Rubella does not burrow or avoid heat and desiccation, however, compared to other desert frogs of similar size, they have a relatively low evaporative water loss (EWL) rate, and do not dry out as quickly as expected under these conditions. Their low EWL rate can be contributed to adapting a water-conserving posture in situations with dry air, by tucking their limbs close under their body, and making sure their ventral skin is closed off as much as possible from their outside environment (Withers, 1995). A study found that species of frog utilizing a water-conserving posture tended to have a higher resistance to overall evaporative water loss (Young et al., 2005).  They continue to bask in sites exposed to solar insolation, but can change their color from dark brown to bright white, which serves to increase reflectance off the skin and decreases their heat intake, and, unlike most amphibians, when exposed to dry air they will change color regardless of previous background color (Young et al. 2005).

Citations:

Young, J. E., Christian, K. A., Donnellan, S., Tracy, C. R., & Parry, D. (2005). Comparative analysis of cutaneous evaporative water loss in frogs demonstrates correlation with ecological habits. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 78(5), 847–856.

Withers, P. C. (1995). Evaporative Water Loss and Colour Change in the Australian Desert Tree Frog Litoria Rubella (Amphibia Hylidae). Records of the Western Australian Museum, 17, 277–281.