Meristogenys whiteheadi

Meristogenys whiteheadi is a species of frog in the family Ranidae.[2] It is endemic to Borneo and found in both Indonesia (Kalimantan) and Malaysia (western Sabah).[1] Meristogenys stigmachilus and Meristogenys stenocephalus, described as new species in 2011, were formerly included in this species.[1][2] Owing to the difficulty of distinguishing these species under field conditions, the exact range of this species is uncertain.[1] Its common name is Whitehead's Borneo frog[1][2] or Whitehead's torrent frog.[4]

Meristogenys whiteheadi

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Meristogenys
Species:
M. whiteheadi
Binomial name
Meristogenys whiteheadi
(Boulenger, 1887)
Synonyms[2]

Rana whiteheadi Boulenger, 1887[3]
Amolops whiteheadi (Boulenger, 1887)

Etymology

This species is named after John Whitehead, explorer who collected the type series from Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia.[3]

Description

The dorsum is light brown to greenish dark brown. The lips are dark grey to black. The iris is bicoloured, with a reddish orange horizontal band in the middle surrounded by whitish brown bands above and below. The centre of the tympanum usually has a small light circle. The limbs have alternating light- and dark-brown dorsal cross-bars. The rear of thigh is light brown with scattered light dots. The throat and chest are whitish, with dark dots; abdomen is whitish. The legs are whitish ventrally, with patches of pigmentation.[4] The pattern may vary between locations.[5]

Meristogenys whiteheadi are relatively large frogs. Males from Sabah measured 49–62 mm (1.9–2.4 in) in snout–vent length (SVL) and females 78–87 mm (3.1–3.4 in) SVL. Males from Sarawak measured 49–57 mm (1.9–2.2 in) SVL and females 77–80 mm (3.0–3.1 in) SVL.[5]

Habitat and conservation

Meristogenys whiteheadi occur in hilly rainforests at elevations below 1,300 m (4,300 ft). They breed in clear, rocky streams. The tadpoles cling to the rocks in strong currents and feed on lithophytic algae.[1]

Meristogenys whiteheadi is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging. The resulting siltation of streams destroys the larval habitat. This species is present in the Kinabalu, Crocker Range, and Kayan Mentarang National Parks[1]

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References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2018. Meristogenys whiteheadi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T79096537A79096290. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T79096537A79096290.en. Downloaded on 22 December 2018.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Meristogenys whiteheadi (Boulenger, 1887)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  3. Boulenger, G. A. (1887). "On new reptiles and batrachians from North Borneo". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Series 5. 20 (116): 95–97. doi:10.1080/00222938709460016.
  4. Haas, A.; Hertwig, S.T.; Das, I. (2014). "Meristogenys whiteheadi (Whitehead's Torrent Frog)". Frogs of Borneo. Retrieved 11 November 2014. (includes photographs)
  5. Inger, Robert F.; Stuebing, Robert B. (2009). "New species and new records of Bornean frogs (Amphibia: Anura)" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 57: 527–535. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
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