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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless credited to others. Copyright ゥ Ecology Asia 2026

 
     
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

   
   
 
Lowland Litter Frog  - 
Leptobrachium abbotti
   
   

Fig 1


Fig 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family : MEGOPHRYIDAE
Species : Leptobrachium abbotti
Size (snout to vent) :  Female 9.5 cm, Male 7.5 cm

Leptobrachium abbotti (Lowland Litter Frog) is a widespread, lowland species occurring in many parts of Borneo. It also occurs in parts of Sumatra where it is considered rare. On Borneo, this species is replaced above 1000 metres elevation by the closely-related Leptobrachium montanum (Mountain Litter Frog).

This frog inhabits the forest floor of both primary and old-growth secondary forest. By day it remains hidden beneath leaf litter, and only emerges at night. During rainy periods it makes its way to small streams to breed. Its prey items include large insects and other invertebrates.

Its body is stocky, its head is relatively large and its eyes are large and bulbous. Its limbs are slender, which limits its movement to short hops, and its digits lack webbing. Its overall body size is somewhat larger than that of the Black-eyed Litter Frog Leptobrachium nigrops. The tadpoles are large, reaching up to 9 cm total length.

Its dorsum is dark brown to black, but the top of its head typically has lighter brown markings. The flanks and inner thighs are somewhat bluish, with darker bluish mottling, and the belly is pale with dark mottling.

This species has been found in all administrative regions of Borneo, which includes Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan. In Sumatra it appears to be limited to the western parts of that island.


Fig 1 : Small example from Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo with well-developed markings on top of its head, and large, bulbous eyes.

Fig 2 : A larger example from Danum Valley, with well-developed, bluish mottling on the inner thigh.


References :

Inger, R. F. & Stuebing, R. B. (2005). A Field Guide To The Frogs Of Borneo. 2nd Edition. Natural History Publications (Borneo).