Polypedates megacephalus

Polypedates megacephalus
Adult at Wu Kau Tang Country Trail (New Territories, Hong Kong)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Suborder:	Neobatrachia
Family:	Rhacophoridae
Genus:	Polypedates
Species:	P. megacephalus
Binomial name
Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, 1861

Polypedates megacephalus, the Hong Kong Whipping Frog^[2] or Spot-legged Tree Frog,^[3] is a species in the shrub frog family (Rhacophoridae). In its native range, it is also called "brown tree frog", but this name is otherwise applied to a species of the true tree frog family (Hylidae).

Distribution and ecology

This species is native in central, southern and southwestern China; it is also found Taiwan, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macau. The species is supported in many protected areas in China.

In Hong Kong, this species was recorded on Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the proposed golf course on the island.^[4]

It has also recently been recorded from northern West Siang District, in Arunachal Pradesh, and from Watiyem, in Nagaland, in India. It is also known from Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve in India.^[1]

It has been introduced to Japan.^[5]

This frog is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution in Asia and its tolerance of a broad range of habitats. It also because of its presumed large population.^[1]

References

Media related to Polypedates megacephalus at Wikimedia Commons