Leptobrachella baluensis explained

Leptobrachella baluensis (Kamborangah Borneo frog or Kinabalu dwarf litter frog) is a species of amphibian in the family Megophryidae. It is endemic to montane northern Borneo in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia) and northern Kalimantan (Indonesia). It has been in synonymy with Leptobrachella mjobergi, but is now treated as a valid species.[1]

Description

Both males and females grow to about 20mm in snout–vent length. They are grey above with dark markings with light-colored borders. Supratympanic fold is black, forming a sharp border towards the dorsum. There is no webbing in the feet. Males have a very loud, high-pitched buzzing call.

Tadpoles are very slender with long tails and move in a characteristic, undulating fashion.[2]

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are sub-montane forests (oak-chestnut and mossy forests) at elevations of 750m–1800mm (2,460feet–5,900feetm) asl (range 900–2200 m is given for Sabah and Sarawak[2]). Tadpoles develop in streams with coarse gravel beds, hiding in the interstitial space.[2]

Leptobrachella baluensis is threatened by habitat loss, but it occurs in several protected areas.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leptobrachella baluensis Smith, 1931 . Frost, Darrel R. . 2015 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 31 August 2015.
  2. Web site: Leptobrachella baluensis Kinabalu Dwarf Litter Frog . Haas, A. . Hertwig, S.T. . Das, I. . 2015 . Frogs of Borneo . 31 August 2015.