About Fejervarya cancrivora (Gravenhorst, 1829)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
The crab-eating frog, scientifically named Fejervarya cancrivora (Gravenhorst, 1829), is native to southeastern Asia, including Taiwan, China, Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Philippines.
Native Distribution Range
Rarely, it can be found as far west as Orissa, India.
Introduced Range
It has also been introduced to Guam, most likely originating from Taiwan.
Habitat Type
This species inhabits mangrove swamps and marshes.
Salinity Tolerance Status
It is one of 144 known modern amphibians that can tolerate brief trips into seawater, and it is possibly the only surviving marine amphibian.
Salinity Tolerance Mechanism
This frog tolerates marine environments—brief immersion in full seawater, or extended stays in brackish water—by increasing urea production and retention, and staying slightly hyperosmotic through urea and sodium flux.
Life Stage Salinity Thresholds
Adult crab-eating frogs can survive in salt water with a salinity up to 2.8%, while their tadpoles can survive salinities as high as 3.9%.
