Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
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Family : RANIDAE
Species : Hylarana raniceps
Size (snout to vent) :
Males to 34 mm, females to 42 mm.
(Inger et al, 2009)
Hylarana raniceps (White-lipped Frog, Bornean Copper-cheeked Frog),
also known as Chalcorana raniceps, is endemic to the island of Borneo.
It was formerly treated as part of the Rana chalconata species
complex.
This medium-sized frog inhabits lowland primary rainforest and quality secondary forest. Its body shape is slender and
it is mainly greenish in colour;
some populations or individuals may have a brownish dorsum.
Its upper lips are white and it has a large, brownish tympanum. The underside of its thighs
may be reddish (see
Figure 2).
Hylarana raniceps is most commonly encountered next to small forest streams and quiet
pools; males may be heard calling from nearby vegetation.
When first described, the distribution of this species was thought to be limited to
'low-lying areas of west-central Sarawak' (Inger et al, 2009). As of 2026,
however, the American Museum of Natural History website (Amphibians of the World)
suggests a far broader distribution as follows: 'Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia, and adjacent
Kalimantan (Indonesia), and Brunei, although likely more widely distributed;
Serasan Island and Natuna Islands, Indonesia.'
Fig 1 : Example from a deeply incised forest stream with muddy banks at Lambir Hills, Sarawak,
Borneo.
Fig 2 : Example next to a lowland forest stream at Danum Valley, Sabah,
Borneo. Note the reddish colour which extends beneath the thigh.
Fig 3 : Lowland forest stream at Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo.
Fig 4 : Another tentative example of Hylarana raniceps at Danum
Valley, Sabah, Borneo.
References and links :
Inger, Robert F.; Stuart, Bryan L. & Iskandar, Djoko T. (January 2009).
"Systematics of a widespread Southeast Asian frog, Rana chalconota
(Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
155 (1): 123–147.
Amphibians
Of The World - Hylarana raniceps
Frogs
of Borneo - Hylarana raniceps
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