Description
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Snout-vent length is about 38 to 42 mm. The head is relatively narrow; snout round-pointed; upper jaw protruding. Fingers are relatively long and narrow without webs. The first finger is shorter than the second. The dorsum and upper lateral surfaces are grayish olive green to live-brown, the lighter shaded specimens heavily mottled with large irregular, brownish or dark blotches. The upper lips and loreal regions have irregular dark blotches or bands. Hind limbs have narrow, irregular, dark crossbands.Research and conservation effort on this species are urgently needed, including surveys on Panay Island and declaring the island of Gigante South as a protected area.
- Brown, W. C. and Alcala, A. C. (1970). ''A new species of the genus Platymantis (Ranidae) with a list of amphibians known from South Gigante Island, Philippines.'' Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences, 84, 1-8.
- Ferner, J. W., Brown, R. M., Sison, R. V., and Kennedy, R. S. (2000). ''The amphibians and reptiles of Panay island, Philippines.'' Asiatic Herpetological Research, 9, 34-70.
Distribution and Habitat
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It is only known from the island of Gigante South in the Philippines. Gigante South is a small volcanic island of about 300 hectares with limestone caves. This frog occupies primary and secondary forest on karst limestone outcrops at low elevations.
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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Very little is known about this species. It breeds by direct development.
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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Population trends are believed to be decreasing. Its very restricted home range (less than 10km2) makes this species very vulnerable to various threats. Threats include global warming, agriculture, human encroachment of the forest over the limestone karst and caves, guano mining, and the quarrying of limestone. Despite recent complete removal of the forest on the island of Gigante Island, this frog was still observed in the wild in 2000, however, a comprehensive survey is needed to better evaluate the effect of forest destruction and its current status.
Platymantis insulatus
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Platymantis insulatus is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae.[1][3][4] It is endemic to the Gigante Islands just northeast of Panay, the Philippines.[1][5] This frog is variously known as the Gigantes wrinkled ground frog,[1][3] island forest frog,[4] South Gigante Island frog,[4] Gigantes forest frog, and Gigantes limestone frog.[5] Originally described from South Gigante,[2] it is now known to occur on at least three other islands.[1][5]
Description
Adult males measure 38–42 mm (1.5–1.7 in) and adult females 40–46 mm (1.6–1.8 in) in snout–vent length. The overall appearance is relatively slender. The head is relatively narrow and the snout is rounded-pointed. The tympanum is relatively large, and a supratympanic fold is present. The fingers relatively long and narrow and bear discs but no webbing. The toes are slender with basal webbing and terminal discs. Preserved individuals are dorsally grayish olive green to live-brown; the lighter-shaded specimens are heavily mottled with large, irregular, brownish or dark blotches. The hind limbs have rather narrow, irregular, dark cross bands.[2]
Habitat and conservation
Platymantis insulatus inhabits limestone karst forest and caves in forested lowlands less than 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level. These frogs are frequently recorded from the most moist and coolest parts of caves,[1] but it appears that both adults and juveniles venture out into the forest for feeding.[5] Development is direct[1][5] (i.e., there is no free-living larval stage[6]), with individual fecundity up to 48 eggs.[5]
Platymantis insulatus is common on all four islands it inhabits, and it is abundant when the weather is appropriate (during heavy rains). However, the islands are experiencing habitat loss and deterioration. In particular, guano mining and the quarrying of limestone are likely to harm the habitat of this species, and the populations are believed to be declining. This species does not occur in any protected areas, but there are efforts towards better environmental protection in the area.[1] As of late 2019, establishment of a captive colony was on the way.[7]
References
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Platymantis insulatus: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Platymantis insulatus is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae. It is endemic to the Gigante Islands just northeast of Panay, the Philippines. This frog is variously known as the Gigantes wrinkled ground frog, island forest frog, South Gigante Island frog, Gigantes forest frog, and Gigantes limestone frog. Originally described from South Gigante, it is now known to occur on at least three other islands.
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