Limnonectes malesianus
—
Malesian Frog
Also known as:
Malaysian River Frog, Malaysian Peat Frog, Peat Swamp Frog, Singapore Wart Frog
This large forest-floor frog is one of several Limnonectes species that are difficult for me to tell apart. However, these two both have at least four of the distinguishing characteristics of L. malesianus: the half-dark tympanum (external eardrum), the sharply bent ridge behind the tympanum, the pronounced tubercles on the eyelids, and at least hints of a W-shaped ridge on the back in the shoulder area,
My Travelogues and Trip Lists page includes a complete list of the herps I saw in the wild on this trip to Malaysia, as well as a travelogue of the trip.
This one is much larger, has less-pronounced ridges on the back, a less-sharply-angled ridge behind the tympanum, somewhat smaller tubercles on the eyelids, and a less-half-dark tympanum. I seem to be talking myself out of this ID. My second guess on ID would be Limnonectes blythii, but to me this still looks a little more like L. malesianus than L. blythii.
This one is classic Limnonectes malesianus, with the barred lips, half-dark tympanum, angled ridge behind the tympanum, eyelid tubercles, etc.
This attractively reddish frog was particularly huge. We spotted its eyeshine from a long distance away.
Online references:
- Limnonectes malesianus account on Frogs of Borneo
- Limnonectes malesianus account on Ecology Asia
- Limnonectes malesianus account on Amphibians & Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia