Meristogenys poecilus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meristogenys poecilus |
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Amolops poecilus Inger and Gritis, 1983 |
The Meristogenys poecilus is a 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 central Kalimantan in Indonesia.
Its scientific name, poecilus, comes from a Greek word meaning "pied" or "blotched." This refers to the special pattern on the back of its thighs. People also call this frog the Malaysian Borneo frog.
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About the Malaysian Borneo Frog
Males of this frog species are usually about 41 to 52 millimeters (1.6 to 2 inches) long. Females are larger, measuring about 69 to 78 millimeters (2.7 to 3 inches) from snout to vent.
Physical Features
The frog has a pointed snout that sticks out past its jaw. You can see its eardrum (tympanum). Its fingers and toes have round pads, and its toes are fully webbed, like a duck's foot. The frog also has long legs.
Its skin on top is bumpy. It has faint folds along its back. The skin on its underside is rough, except for its throat, which is smooth.
Colors and Patterns
The frog's back is a chocolate brown color, with darker sides. Its upper lip is whitish, and its lower lip has black and white stripes. A dark brown or blackish band runs from its eye down to its leg area.
The throat is white or pale yellow, and its belly is yellow. Some frogs might have faint dark spots on their throat and chest. Others might be completely dark brown. The legs have stripes on top. The back of the thigh has irregular light blotches on a dark brown background. These blotches are probably yellow when the frog is alive.
Where They Live and How We Protect Them
Meristogenys poecilus lives in hilly lowland rainforests.
Habitat and Life Cycle
These frogs breed in small, clear, rocky streams. Their tadpoles cling to the rocks in the water. They eat algae that grows on the rocks.
Conservation Efforts
This frog species is common in its local areas. However, it is threatened by habitat loss. This happens when people cut down all the trees in the forest (called clear-cutting).
Luckily, this frog lives in protected areas. These include the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and the Betung-Kerikum National Park.
