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
Scientific classification
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
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2018. Meristogenys kinabaluensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T58371A114922178. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T58371A114922178.en. Downloaded on 22 December 2018.
  2. Inger, R.F. (1966). "The systematics and zoogeography of the amphibia of Borneo". Fieldiana Zoology. 52: 1–402. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.3147.
  3. 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.
  4. Haas, A.; Das, I.; Hertwig, S.T. (2016). "Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Kinabalu Torrent Frog)". Frogs of Borneo. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
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