Ryukyu Kajika Frog Explained

The Ryukyu Kajika frog, Japanese Buerger's frog, or Japanese stream treefrog (Buergeria japonica) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Populations from northern Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands were isolated as a new species(Buergeria choui) in 2020.[1]

Habitat

Buergeria japonica is a common species that occurs in a wide variety of habitats (rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, geothermal wetlands, irrigated land, and canals and ditches).It is locally threatened by habitat loss.

Description

Buergeria japonica is a small to medium-sized frog, about 3cm (01inches) snout-vent length in males.[2]

Reproduction

Buergeria japonica normally breed in slow-moving water in ditches and small streams. However, some Taiwanese populations also breed in geothermal hot springs. In this habitat, frogs can breed throughout the year. Another advantage is that high temperature facilitates growth; furthermore, competition may be reduced in this unusual habitat.[3] Tadpoles can tolerate water temperatures up to about 42°C, however, few tadpoles enter areas of pools where temperature exceeds 37°C.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Buergeria japonica (Hallowell, 1861) . Frost, Darrel R. . 2013 . Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference . American Museum of Natural History . 23 November 2013.
  2. Web site: Rhacophorus japonica . Lue, Kuang-Yang . BiotaTaiwanica . 17 August 2012.
  3. 10.2108/zsj.18.591. 18. 4. 591–596. Chen. Te-Chin . Yeong-Choy Kam . Yao-Sung Lin. Thermal physiology and reproductive phenology of Buergeria japonica (Rhacophoridae) breeding in a stream and a geothermal hotspring in Taiwan. Zoological Science. 2001. 54171906. free.
  4. 61 . 1 . 35–46 . Wu . Chi-Shiun . Yeong-Choy Kam . Thermal tolerance and thermoregulation by Taiwanese rhacophorid tadpoles (Buergeria japonica) living in geothermal hot springs and streams . Herpetologica . 2005. 3893558 . 10.1655/04-50. 2868703 .