Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
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Family : RHACOPHORIDAE
Species : Rhacophorus nigropalmatus
Size (snout to vent) :
Female & Male 10 cm
Probably the most dramatic
looking frog in the region, and a species first described by the great
naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, Wallace's Flying Frog is distinguished
from other flying frogs by its large size, and the black colouration of the
webbing on all four feet.
Living mainly at
mid-canopy level of tropical rainforests, the extensive webbing allows for
long glides from tree to tree. The species can be found at ground level when
it descends to mate and build its bubble nest.
The
dorsal surface of the body and legs is a vivid green, and the side yellow.
The large eyes have horizontal pupils.
The species is known to fall prey to tree climbing
snakes. Follow this link
for images of a Sawtooth-necked Bronzeback consuming what appears to be a
Wallace's Flying Frog.
The species ranges from
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam through Peninsular Malaysia to the island of Borneo.
Fig 1 : A pair of Wallace's Flying Frog clinging to vegetation 3
metres above a flooded roadside ditch. Danum Valley, Sabah,
Borneo.
Fig 2 : Despite their large size, adults of the species cling to slender twigs
with confidence. Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.
Fig 3 : Specimen with all four feet splayed, showing typical black webbing
between its fingers and toes.
Photographed at Gunung Belumut, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 4 : This huge tadpole, measuring around 5 cm in length, is
identified with reasonable confidence as that of Wallace's Flying Frog.
The smaller tadpoles in this image appear to be those of an unidentified
species of Microhyla. Johor, Peninsular Malaysia
References :
Manthey U., Grossmann W., 1997. Amphibien und Reptilien Sudostasiens.
Natur und Tier - Verlag.
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