Kaloula baleata (Müller, 1836)

Species Introduction

The smooth-fingered narrow-mouthed frog, Kaloula baleata, is a stout frog with a rounded body. Females have an average snout-to-vent length of 65 millimetres (2.6 in), and males are slightly smaller.

Limb Structure

It has short hind limbs; the hand digits have spoon-shaped tips, and the toes are webbed.

Skin and Coloration

Its base color is dark brown, and numerous white-tipped tubercles give it a rough, speckled look. For individuals from Java, there is a brick red spot in the groin region, while other populations have a yellow spot in the same location.

Species Distribution

This frog is native to mainland Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, southern Thailand, and the Philippines.

Habitat Preferences

It inhabits primary and secondary rainforest up to an altitude of about 800 metres (2,600 ft), can tolerate some environmental disturbance, and is also found on flood plains.

Divergent Varieties

Divergent varieties that may be classified as new species have been discovered in Palawan and Sulawesi. The unconfirmed new variety from Palawan is recorded in Palawan.

Sulawesi Variety Range

The unconfirmed new variety from Sulawesi is recorded in the Togian Islands (Batudaka Island), Central Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi (Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park).

Subspecies Record

The subspecies K. baleata goshi has been reported from Little Andaman and South Andaman Islands, as documented by Das & Dutta in 1998.