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Family : RANIDAE
Species : Hylarana labialis
Size (snout to vent) :
Female 7 cm,  Male 4.5 cm

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Hylarana labialis (Copper-cheeked Frog, Malayan Copper-cheeked Frog) occurs in shallow streams in lowland primary, regenerating secondary forest, and freshwater swamp forest.

The taxonomy of this, and other closely related frogs in the region, is still not fully understood; the images on this page should be seen as comprising a species group, rather than a single species. 

Adult Hylarana labialis typically perch low down on streamside vegetation, or fallen twigs and branches. They are small in size, measuring up to 7 cm but generally less than 4 cm.  

Their skin colour can be variable, comprising various shades of green, yellow and brown with minor speckling on the dorsum and hind legs. The species is best identified by the large, brown eardrum, and pale lips.

The snout is pointed, and there is generally a dark stripe extending from the eye to the tip of the snout. The hind legs are long and slender, and the fingers and toes have rounded pads. There is dark webbing between the toes on the hind feet.

The tadpoles are distinctive (see images below); these are to be found occur in quiet, shallow pools along forest streams.

In Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia a study of their diet showed it to be predominantly insects, including termites, ants, mosquitos and orthoptera (grasshoppers and related insects). (Yap Chee Hui & Ibrahim Jaafar, 2012). 

Hylarana labialis occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Included here are two possible examples from islands in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia (Figure 7 and 8).

Fig 1 : Example from Kledang Saiong, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia clinging to streamside vegetation in logged lowland forest.

Fig 2 : In primary lowland forest at Kota Tinggi, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 3 : Next to a clear, mountain stream at Gunung Pulai, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 4 : Clinging to streamside grasses in freshwater swamp forest, Singapore.

Fig 5 : Pale specimen from Singapore's central forests.

Fig 6 : Green specimen from Singapore's central forests.

Fig 7 : Example from a narrow stream in coastal forest at Pulau Sugi, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.

Fig 8 : Example from a rocky stream on Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.


References :

Hui, C. Y., & Jaafar, I. B. R. A. H. I. M. (2012). Feeding analysis of Hylarana cf. labialis, Leptobrachium hendricksoni, and Occidozyga laevis (Amphibia: Anura) from a lowland dipterocarp forest in Kedah, Malaysia. Herpetological Review, 43, 41-44.
    

 

	Metamorphosis ...
	Eggs with developing tadpoles.
	The tadpole's skin is transparent.
	An 'emergent' still possessing a tail.
	The tail will gradually be absorbed into the frog's body in the final stage of metamorphosis.