Litoria caerulea

Shortly after chlordane was applied to wooden huts in Australia for termite control, large numbers of dead skinks (Morethia boulengeri, Lerista puctorittata) and frogs (Litoria caerulea, L. peronii) were discovered, presumably killed by the chlordane (Henle 1988). Toad (Bufo arenar-ium) embryos survived 0.5 mg technical chlordane/L for 8 days, but died by day 20 all embryos held in 15 mg/L were dead by day 15 (Juarez and Guzman 1984). For tadpoles of the common toad (Bufo bufo), a 48-h LC50 of 2 mg/L was reported (WHO 1984). 

P NMR has been used to investigate the effects of three anti-microbial peptides isolated from Australian tree frogs Litoria caerulea and L. genimacu-lata on the cell membranes of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The wide-spectrum antibiotic peptides caerin 1.1 and maculatin 1.1 disrupted cell membranes causing an increase in the isotropic P NMR signal. However, caerin 4.1, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, did not affect the P spectra of these bacteria. ... 

Behavioural testing with females from a related species, Litoria caerulea, and with males from both species gave negative results. The pheromone was not recognised by any test subjects other than L. splendida females. The peptide is therefore a species specific male sex attractant pheromone. 

IsoL from the parotoid glands of the frog Litoria caerulea. 

Isol. from the parotoid glands of the frog Litoria caerulea. Waugh, R.J. et al, J.C.S. Perkin 1, 1993, 573 isol, struct)... 

Pept verucopeptin Actinomadura verrucosospora, Bact. from the Philippines Sugawara 1993) vancomycin (Streptomyces orientalis, Actinom., Bact. from Borneo soil MI) caerulein-like (from Australian tree frog, Litoria splendida, and Hyla caerulea, Amphib. from W Australia Wabnitz 1999). 

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