Meristogenys kinabaluensis
Meristogenys kinabaluensis (common names: Kiau Borneo frog, Kinabalu torrent frog) is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is endemic to Borneo and is found in Sabah, Sarawak (Malaysia), and Kalimantan (Indonesia).[3][4] The specific name refers to its type locality, Mount Kinabalu.[2][3]
Meristogenys kinabaluensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Ranidae |
Genus: | Meristogenys |
Species: | M. kinabaluensis |
Binomial name | |
Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Inger, 1966) | |
Synonyms | |
Amolops kinabaluensis Inger, 1966[2] |
Description
Males measure typically 50–68 mm (2.0–2.7 in) whereas females can grow to 90 mm (3.5 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is blunt; the body is slightly more stocky compared to some other Meristogenys species. The skin on the dorsum has smooth warts. The dominant color is green, including the eyes.[4]
The tadpoles can grow to 60 mm (2.4 in) in total length and are light brown with a yellow hue. The tail is strong and the snout and body are depressed and streamlined.[4]
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitats are submontane and montane forest at 750–1,700 m (2,460–5,580 ft) above sea level. Breeding takes place small, clear, rocky streams.[1][4] These frogs are often found at night perching 1–2 m high on tree trunks or branches by rocky streams.[4] The tadpoles cling to the rocks where the current is strong, presumably feeding on lithophytic algae.[1]
The species is threatened by habitat loss, although it occurs in a number of protected areas, i.e., in the Kinabalu Park, Crocker Range National Park, Kayan Mentarang National Park, and Gunung Mulu National Park.[1]
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Meristogenys kinabaluensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T58371A114922178. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T58371A114922178.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Inger, R.F. (1966). "The systematics and zoogeography of the amphibia of Borneo". Fieldiana Zoology. 52: 1–402. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.3147.
- Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Inger, 1966)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- Haas, A.; Das, I.; Hertwig, S.T. (2016). "Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Kinabalu Torrent Frog)". Frogs of Borneo. Retrieved 27 February 2016.