Kinabalu Sticky Frog

Kalophrynus baluensis

Kalophrynus baluensis is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.

''Kalophrynus baluensis'' is unusual in that it appears to have diverged from its closest known relative that is not endemic to Mount Kinabalu before the mountain reached its present elevation. Most other Mount Kinabalu endemics are younger than the mountain , and thus appear to have evolved there relatively recently.
A Kinabalu Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus baluensis) hiding in the leaf litter The various Borneo Kalophrynus species are hard to tell apart and something of a taxonomic mess. Fortunately for the sake of identification only one type is known from Mt. Kinabalu, and it seems to be a well-defined species. Geotagged,Kalophrynus baluensis,Malaysia,Winter

Appearance

''Kalophrynus baluensis'' is a stocky, short-legged frog. Females grow to 39 mm in snout–vent length; males stay slightly smaller. Its brown colouration makes its perfectly camouflaged in its habitat, the leaf litter layer on the forest floor.

Status

Natural habitats of ''Kalophrynus baluensis'' are montane oak-chestnut forests at elevations of 1,300–1,800 m asl. They are usually encountered on the forest floor. Male advertisement calls have been heard some distance away from water, suggesting that it might breed in phytotelmata.

There are no major threats to the species, and it is known to occur in the Kinabalu National Park. Nevertheless, its total area of distribution is relatively small.

Habitat

Natural habitats of ''Kalophrynus baluensis'' are montane oak-chestnut forests at elevations of 1,300–1,800 m asl. They are usually encountered on the forest floor. Male advertisement calls have been heard some distance away from water, suggesting that it might breed in phytotelmata.

There are no major threats to the species, and it is known to occur in the Kinabalu National Park. Nevertheless, its total area of distribution is relatively small.

References:

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Status: Near threatened
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyMicrohylidae
GenusKalophrynus
SpeciesK. baluensis
Photographed in
Malaysia