Order Anura Higher classification Meristogenys | Phylum Chordata Family Ranidae Scientific name Meristogenys whiteheadi Rank Species | |
Similar Meristogenys, Frog, Amphibians, True frog, Meristogenys orphnocnemis | ||
Meristogenys whiteheadi is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is endemic to Borneo and found in both Indonesia (northern Kalimantan) and Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak). Its common name is Whitehead's Borneo frog or Whitehead’s torrent frog. It is named after John Whitehead, explorer who collected the type series from Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia.
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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. The pattern may vary between locations.
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.
Habitat and conservation
Meristogenys whiteheadi occur in hilly rainforests. They breed in clear, rocky streams. The tadpoles cling to the rocks in strong currents and feed on lithophytic algae.
Meristogenys whiteheadi is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging.