SSCE VCE Biology Evolution and Species Relationships: The relatively abundant Green-ey

Question

The relatively abundant Green-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria genimaculata) inhabits tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland. There are two main populations, a north and a south population.  
L. genimaculata has a green crescent across its upper eye and a ridge along the back of its limbs. It has mottled colouring and can vary from light brown and green, to grey with reddish blotches.

a. State a phenotypic characteristic of L. genimaculata and suggest a possible selection pressure acting on this characteristic.

Phenotypic characteristic _______________________________________  
Selection pressure ____________________________________________

The critically endangered Kuranda Tree Frog, Litoria myola, is found in very small populations in isolated fragments of wet tropical rainforests near Cairns in Queensland. The two species, L. myola and L. genimaculata, are very similar in appearance, although the L. genimaculata is larger than the L. myola. Biologists have also found that their mating calls differ markedly. There is some overlap between the ranges of these three frog groups.  
The following diagrams show the distribution of the frogs, and the characteristics of their calls.

The relatively abundant Green-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria genimaculata) inhabits tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2008 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The relatively abundant Green-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria genimaculata) inhabits tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2008 - Paper 1

State a phenotypic characteristic of L. genimaculata

Suggest a possible selection pressure acting on this characteristic

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