Polypedates braueri (Hallowell, 1861)
Family: Rhacophoridae Taiwan Whipping Frog Status: Established Description: Polypedates braueri is a medium sized to large brown tree frog with greatly expanded toe pads. Females may reach approximately 76 mm SVL (pers obs) whereas males are much smaller, reaching only about 50 mm SVL (Kuraishi et al. 2011). There is often a dusky “X” shaped mark on the back and darker bands on the forearm and legs. The body coloration and intensity of the patterning can vary depending on temperature, and other biological factors. The relatively large size and greatly enlarged toe pads should distinguish this species from all other frogs in the Marianas. Biology: This large tree frog can be found in most habitats provided that there are suitable breeding sites. Breeding takes place in small temporary bodies of water generally with emergent or overhanging vegetation. Males generally call from a perch over the water or while hidden in dense vegetation. Calling is not as closely associated with rainfall as other species of frogs in the Marianas and the males can be heard during relatively dry periods when all other frogs are quiet. This frog does not seem to form large choruses and there are usually only a few individual calling at a time. The call is a somewhat soft hesitant snore, often reduced to a few chuckling noises. During amplexus, females rub their hind legs together to create a foam nest into which the eggs are deposited, hence the name “whipping frog”. This nest is deposited at the water’s edge and will harden slightly after the eggs are inseminated. Tadpoles free themselves from the foam and drop into the water. The diet of these frogs has not been examined in the Marianas but it probably eats a wide range of small invertebrates. Distribution: This species occurs widely from central, southern and southwestern China and parts of India. In the Mariana Islands it is established and widespread in southern Guam where breeding populations were first detected in 2004. Comments: This species is part of the widespread P. leucomystax species complex. Zug (2013) considered the animals from Guam closer to P. braueri, a recently resurrected species from Taiwan and China. Before then, they were considered P. megacephalus. Kuraihi, N., Masafumi, M., Hidetoshi, O., & Szu-Lung, C. (2011) Specific separation of Polypedates braueri (Vogt, 1911) from P. megacephalus (Hallowell, 1861) (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae). Zootaxa 2744 (53-61). Zug, G. 2013. Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands: A Comprehensive Guide. University of California Press. Los Angeles. |