Kaloula indochinensis

Kaloula indochinensis
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Microhylidae
Genus:	Kaloula
Species:	K. indochinensis
Binomial name
Kaloula indochinensis Chan, Blackburn, Murphy, Stuart, Emmett, Ho, and Brown, 2013

Kaloula indochinensis is a recently described species of frog in the Microhylidae family that is found in Indochina, in southern Vietnam, eastern Cambodia, and southern to central Laos. Prior to its identification, it was confused with Kaloula baleata.^[1][2]

Description

Kaloula indochinensis are robust, medium-sized frogs. The males grow to a snout–vent length of 44–54 mm (1.7–2.1 in) and females to 39–54 mm (1.5–2.1 in). Tadpoles are not known. The dorsum in adults is chocolate to dark grayish-brown in colour and covered with fine white spots. There are orange-yellow patches on either side of the neck behind the eyes, and its skin is smooth but infused with low, rounded tubercles. The species resembles Kaloula baleata but differs from it by a number subtle characteristics: Kaloula indochinensis has larger finger discs, smaller inner metatarsal tubercles, only slightly raised inner and outer metatarsal tubercles, and 1–2 subarticular tubercles on fourth toe (vs. 3 in Kaloula baleata).^[2]

Habitat and behaviour

These frogs have mostly been found in small ephemeral ponds or beside temporary watercourses after heavy rains. Calling males, however, can climb on stones and to trees as high as 2 m (6 ft 7 in) above ground. Amplexus occurs in leaf litter. One specimen has been seen climbing bamboo at the transition of deciduous and lowland evergreen forest. They are active during night.^[2]

References