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Fig 7
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Family : RANIDAE
Species : Chalcorana cf. labialis
Size (snout to vent) :
Female 7 cm, Male 4.5 cm
Play call
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The Copper-cheeked Frog
(or White-lipped Frog) occurs in shallow streams in lowland primary forest,
adjacent secondary forest, and freshwater swamp forest.
The taxonomy of this and other closely-related frogs in the region, which
are similar in appearance, is not fully defined. The images on this page
should be treated as comprising a species group, rather than a single
species.
Adult frogs generally perch low down on streamside branches or fallen forest
debris. They are moderately small in size, measuring up to 7 cm but
generally less than 4 cm. Their unusual call sounds somewhat like dripping
water.
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 white lips.
The snout is pointed, and there is generally a dark stripe extending from
the eye to the snout.
The hind legs are long and slender, and the fingers and toes have rounded
pads.
The distinctive tadpoles of these frogs (see images below) occur in quiet,
silty shallow pools next to forest streams.
Frogs in this species group range from southern Thailand, through Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore, to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi.
Fig 1 : In primary lowland forest at Kota Tinggi, Johor, Peninsular
Malaysia.
Fig 2 : In primary lowland forest at Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.
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 : Specimen from a narrow stream in coastal forests at Pulau Sugi, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.
References : H2, H3
Inger, R. F., Stuart, B. L., & Iskandar, D. T. (2009). Systematics of a
widespread southeast Asian frog, Rana chalconota (Amphibia:
Anura: Ranidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 155(1),
123-147.
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Metamorphosis ... |
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Spawn with developing tadpoles.
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The tadpole's skin is
transparent.
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An 'emergent' still possessing a tail.
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The tail will gradually be absorbed into
the frog's body in the final stage of metamorphosis.
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