Staurois tuberilinguis

Staurois tuberilinguis
Adult seen along stream in Mt. Kinablu National park
Conservation status

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Subclass: Lissamphibia
Order: Anura
Suborder: Neobatrachia
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Staurois
Species: S. tuberilinguis
Binomial name
Staurois tuberilinguis
Boulenger, 1918
Synonyms

see text

Staurois tuberilinguis or commonly called Borneo Splash Frog is a species in the true frog family (Ranidae). It is widespread on Borneo.

Description

Its snout-vent length is 27–31 mm in males and 33–38 mm in females. It has a markedly slender head with a pointed snout and a rather short fourth finger, distinguishing it from its relatives. Its vomer lacks teeth, and it has a lingual papilla. The eggs are unpigmented.[1]

Distribution

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.

A smaller relative, only known from the Crocker Range in Sabah (Malaysia), was described as Staurois parvus. Later, it was considered a junior synonym of S. tuberilinguis,[2] but more recently it was confirmed to be distinct according to morphological and DNA sequence data.[1]

Natural History and Ecology

This frog is diurnal and crepuscular and it is commonly found along the banks of small, rocky streams with clear water in primary rainforests. They can often be seen perched on rocks or other vegetation near water, usually around the rapids. They breed in streams and the males vocalize during the day. Like other members of Staurois,[3][4] they use visual signalling to attract a mate,.[5][6]

Conservation and Threats

Deforestation by logging of forests and subsequent sedimentation and alteration of stream conditions are the primary threats to this species. This species is found in Mt. Kinabalu and Gunung Mulu National Parks which are well protected. However, the mountains in Kalimantan need urgent and increased protection.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Matsui et al. (2007)
  2. ↑ Inger et al. (2004)
  3. ↑ Boeckle, Markus, Doris Preininger, and Walter Hödl. "Communication in noisy environments I: acoustic signals of Staurois latopalmatus Boulenger 1887." Herpetologica 65.2 (2009): 154-165.
  4. ↑ Preininger, Doris, Markus Boeckle, and Walter Hödl. "Communication in noisy environments II: Visual signaling behavior of male foot-flagging frogs Staurois latopalmatus." (2009).
  5. ↑ Amphibians and Reptiles of Mount Kinabalu (North Borneo), R. Malkmus, U. Manthey, G. Vogel, P. Hoffmann and J. Kosuch. 2002. A.R.G . Gantner Verlag Kommanditgesellschaft, FL 9491 Ruggell
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Inger, R.F., Iskandar, D., Das, I., Stuebing, R., Lakim, M., Yambun, P. & Mumpuni 2008. Staurois tuberilinguis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 March 2015