Fig 1
Fig 2
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Family : MICROHYLIDAE
Species : Kalophrynus pleurostigma
Size (snout to vent) : Female 5.8 cm, Male 5.0 cm
Play call
► This species inhabits the
leaf litter on the floor of primary rainforest. It is largely nocturnal, but
its call, a softly repeated 'whoop, whoop', may be heard on overcast
afternoons.
Its body is triangular in shape, its limbs are relatively slender, and a
distinct pale margin separates the dorsal surface from the flanks. Generally
there are small dark spots scattered on the brown dorsal surface, but these
may sometimes be absent. Instead there may be symmetrical patterns of light
and dark brown skin in some populations, and other populations may be plain
orange. A sticky substance is exuded by the skin, probably to deter
predators. The key identifier for
this species is the presence of 'ocelli' or eyes in the groin area : these
comprise a central dark spot surrounded by a white or patterned patch.
Its diet comprises mainly insects. Tadpoles of the species may be found in
the smallest accumulations of water, for example in water trapped in fallen
logs, or in tree holes.
The Black-spotted Sticky Frog ranges from southern China, Myanmar and Thailand
through Peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra, Java, Borneo and
parts of the Philippines. The species does not occur in Singapore : the
local population of Kalophrynus previously referred to as K.
pleurostigma is now assigned as K. limbooliati.
Fig 1 : Adult specimen from Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 2 : Close-up of the 'ocellus' located in the groin area. This comprises a
central black spot on a patterned white background.
References :
Matsui, M., Nishikawa, K., Belabut, D. M., Norhayati, A., & Yong, H.
S. (2012). A new species of Kalophrynus (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae)
from Southern Peninsular Malaysia. Zootaxa, 3155(1), 38-46.
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