Frogs of the genus Platymantis have two geographic centers of diversity and endemism. One large group of species occurs in the Solomon Islands and nearby Bismarck and Admiralty archipelagos (26 species). Another large group of species occurs in the Philippines (29 species). Outside of these two large archipelagos, one species occurs in Palau, seven or eight are known from New Guinea faunal region, two to four species occur in eastern Indonesia, and two species occur in Fiji (for review, see Siler et al., 2010). All species have direct development as the mode of reproduction, with direct-developing egg masses deposited in forest habitat on leaves, moss, twigs, and branches, as well as within leaf litter, and in rocky crevices in limestone outcrops.
Within the Philippines, three species groups are recognized on the basis of external morphology (W. C. Brown et al., 1997a,b; Alcala and W. C. Brown, 1999): the Platymantis dorsalis Group, the P. hazelae Group, and the P. guentheri Group. In addition to the morphological variation among Platymantis in the Philippines, the advertisement calls and preferred microhabitats of the species also vary (R. M. Brown et al., 2002; R. M. Brown and Gonzales, 2007). Surveys have shown that the highly distinctive limestone-forest habitats of the Philippines possess a great diversity of Platymantis and many endemic species (W. C. Brown and Alcala, 1982; R. M. Brown and Alcala, 2000; Siler et al., 2007, 2010).
The Platymantis hazelae Group, as currently recognized, consists of eight species endemic to the Philippines: P. hazelae, P. isarog, P. lawtoni, P. montanus, P. panayensis, P. polilloensis, P. sierramadrensis, and P. subterrestris. Members of this species group have been traditionally diagnosed on the basis of the following combination of characters: 1) terminal phalanx a wide "T"; 2) disks of fingers, except first, broadly dilated; 3) first finger much shorter than second, not reaching beyond midpoint between subarticular tubercle and disk; 4) digits proximal to disks much broader than deep, the result of wide dermal flanges; 5) subarticular tubercles large, round, and only moderately protruding; and 6) toe disks smaller than finger disks (Character and character states for the P. hazelae Group taken from Brown et al., 1997).
The Platymantis guentheri Group, as currently recognized, consists of ten species endemic to the Philippines: P. banahao, P. bayani, P. biak, P. cornutus, P. diesmosi, P. guentheri, P. insulatus, P. luzonensis, P. negrosensis, and P. rabori. Members of this species group have been traditionally diagnosed on the basis of the following combination of characters: 1) terminal phalanx a moderate to wide "T"; 2) disks of fingers, except first, moderately to broadly dilated; 3) first finger shorter than second, reaching as far as base of disk for some species; 4) digits proximal to disks about as deep as broad, the result of narrow, dermal flanges; 5) subarticular tubercles large and strongly protruding; and 6) toe disks about as broad to half as broad as finger disks (Character and character states for the P. guentheri Group taken from Brown et al., 1997).
The Platymantis dorsalis Group, as currently recognized, consists of twelve species endemic to the Philippines: P. cagayensis, P. corrugatus, P. dorsalis, P. indreprensus, P. levigatus, P. mimulus, P. naomiae, P. paengi, P. pseudodorsalis, P. pygmaeus, P. spelaeus, and P. taylori. Members of this species group have been traditionally diagnosed on the basis of the following combination of characters: 1) terminal phalanx bluntly rounded to pointed; 2) tips of fingers blunt, without disks, or with small to moderate disks; 3) first finger slightly shorter, about as long as, or longer than second; 4) digits proximal to disks about as deep as broad; 5) subarticular tubercles large, strongly protruding and frequently pointed; and 6) finger disks smaller than to slightly larger than toe disks (Character and character states for the P. dorsalis Group taken from Brown et al., 1997).
The currently recognized species diversity for the genus, especially within the Philippines, is likely underestimated. Future fine-scale studies of inter-population diversity, as well as studies incorporating genetic data will likely result in the discovery of numerous new, undescribed species. Although the three species groups recognized in the Philippines have long been a useful tool for diagnosing species based on external morphology, it is quite possible that these species groups are not monophyletic, and future studies may reveal phylogenetic patterns inconsistent with our current understanding of species diversity within the genus Platymantis.
Platymantis bayani can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) greatly expanded digital disks present; (2) dorsal skin rugosity absent to granular; (3) dorsal dermal tubercles present, sparse; (4) tubercle color salmon; (5) dorsal folds/ridges absent; (6) tympanum completely visible; (7) supratympanic fold smooth, less prominent; (8) dorsolateral stripes absent; (9) spotted flanks present; and (10) microhabitat preference for ground, karst (limestone) habitat. (Character and character states follow Siler et al. 2009)
This species is known only from Samar Island in the eastern Philippines.
The name is derived from the Tagalog (Filipino) term "bayani," meaning "highly respected," "heroic," or "hero." The species was named in honor of the late Walter C. Brown, in recognition of his contributions to Philippine herpetology. Suggested common name: Walter's Limestone Forest Frog.
Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex (PAIC; Brown and Diesmos, 2002).
This species occurs in secondary- and primary-growth forest on karst (limestone) substrate.
All species have direct development as the mode of reproduction, with direct-developing egg masses deposited by females in forest habitat. This species is believed to deposit egg masses in the rocky crevices of limeston formations.
140 m elevation in Taft Forest (11° 48′ 9.18″ N, 125° 17′ 33.936″ E; WGS–84) Barangay San Rafael, Municipality of Taft, Eastern Samar Province, Samar Island, Philippines; type stored in the Philippine National Museum: PNM 9501
Platymantis bayani is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to the island of Samar, the Philippines. It is only known from its type locality, the Taft Forest Reserve in Taft, Eastern Samar.[1][3] The specific name bayani is derived from the Tagalog word meaning "highly respected", "heroic", or "hero". The name honors Walter C. Brown, in recognition of his "numerous contributions to Philippine herpetology and … lifelong commitment to the study of biodiversity in the SW Pacific." Accordingly, common name Walter's limestone forest frog has been proposed for this species.[2]
Adult males measure 34–39 mm (1.3–1.5 in) and adult females 44–50 mm (1.7–2.0 in) in snout–vent length. The overall appearance is robust, and the head is broad. The tympanum is distinct. The fingers are slender, long, and bear greatly expanded terminal discs, as do the toes. The toes have some basal webbing. The dorsum and head are mottled light green, dark green, and black and bear low, salmon-colored tubercles. There is a distinct interorbital bar. The limbs have alternating dark brown and green transverse bars on their dorsal surfaces. The flanks have series of dark brown to black blotches and spots. The iris is mottled golden-brown and dark brown, with a bright gold ciliary ring surrounding the pupil.[2]
Platymantis bayani is known from primary- and secondary growth forest on karst substrate at 140 m (460 ft) above sea level. Both males and females were observed perched on top of limestone rocks within large rock formations in the forest; they were well camouflaged against this background. This species has never been observed perching in trees or shrubs, as most closely related species do. Breeding is probably direct, with eggs presumably deposited in limestone crevices and small caves.[1][2]
Platymantis bayani was quite common at the type locality. It is possible that it has a broader distribution, but its range is probably restricted by the presence of relatively undisturbed limestone formations with forest cover.[2] It is primarily threatened by limestone quarrying and mining for the cement industry. Forest clearing for shifting agriculture, wood collection for firewood and charcoal production, and commercial illegal logging constitute additional threats.[1]
Platymantis bayani is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to the island of Samar, the Philippines. It is only known from its type locality, the Taft Forest Reserve in Taft, Eastern Samar. The specific name bayani is derived from the Tagalog word meaning "highly respected", "heroic", or "hero". The name honors Walter C. Brown, in recognition of his "numerous contributions to Philippine herpetology and … lifelong commitment to the study of biodiversity in the SW Pacific." Accordingly, common name Walter's limestone forest frog has been proposed for this species.
Platymantis bayani es una especie de anfibios de la familia Ceratobatrachidae.[1]
Es endémica de Sámar (Filipinas).
Platymantis bayani es una especie de anfibios de la familia Ceratobatrachidae.
Platymantis bayani est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Ceratobatrachidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique de Samar aux Philippines. elle se rencontre à 140 m d'altitude dans la province de Samar oriental[1].
Les mâles mesurent de 34,2 à 39,1 mm et les femelles de 44,3 à 49,8 mm[2].
Platymantis bayani est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Ceratobatrachidae.
Platymantis bayani é uma espécie de anfíbio anuros da família Ceratobatrachidae.[3][4] Está presente nas Filipinas.[4] A UICN classificou-a como vulnerável.[1]
Platymantis bayani é uma espécie de anfíbio anuros da família Ceratobatrachidae. Está presente nas Filipinas. A UICN classificou-a como vulnerável.
