Meristogenys phaeomerus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meristogenys phaeomerus |
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Amolops phaeomerus Inger and Gritis, 1983 |
The Meristogenys phaeomerus is a special type of frog that belongs to the Ranidae family. It lives only on the island of Borneo. You can find it in central Sarawak in Malaysia and nearby Kalimantan in Indonesia. Its name, phaeomerus, comes from ancient Greek words meaning "dusky thigh." This is because the back of its legs looks dark. People also call it the Kapit Borneo frog or Kapit torrent frog.
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What Does the Kapit Borneo Frog Look Like?
Male frogs are about 33–44 mm (1.3–1.7 in) long from their nose to their bottom. Females are bigger, measuring 57–72 mm (2.2–2.8 in) in the same way. These frogs look quite slim. Their nose area is somewhat pointed.
Frog Features
They have a clear eardrum, called a tympanum. Their fingers and toes have special pads with grooves around the edges. Their toes are fully webbed, which helps them swim. The frog's back is chocolate brown with small dark spots. Its upper lip is light brown. There is a faint dark line under its eye, near its nose. A dark brown band runs from behind its eye all the way to its hip area. The back of its thigh is dark brown with small light spots.
About the Tadpoles
The baby frogs, called tadpoles, have a head and body length of about 15 mm (0.6 in).
Where Does This Frog Live and How Is It Protected?
The Meristogenys phaeomerus lives in hilly lowland rainforests. These forests are usually below 300 m (980 ft) in height. These frogs lay their eggs and raise their young along small, clear, rocky streams.
Tadpole Life
The tadpoles stick to the rocks in the streams. They eat lithophytic algae, which are tiny plant-like growths on the rocks.
Conservation Efforts
This frog species is common in some areas. However, it does not do well in places where its home has been changed. It is threatened by habitat loss, which means its natural home is being destroyed. This often happens because of clear-cutting, where all the trees are cut down. Luckily, this frog lives in several protected areas, which helps keep it safe.
