The genus Leptobrachium is part of a large family of unique frogs (Megophryidae), consisting of roughly 140 species in 10 genera (Brachytarsophrys, Borneophrys, Leptobrachella, Leptolalax, Leptobrachium, Megophrys, Ophryophryne, Oreolalax, Scutiger, Xenophrys; Brown et al., 2009). Common names for some of the unique genera include “spadefoot toads,” “moustache toads,” “litter frogs,” and “horned frogs” (Brown et al., 2009). For more than half a century, only two megophryid genera have been recognized in the Philippines: Megophrys and Leptobrachium (Taylor, 1920; Inger, 1954; Brown and Alcala, 1970; Alcala, 1986; Alcala and Brown, 1998; Brown and Diesmos, 2002; Diesmos et al., 2004; Brown 2007; Brown et al., 2009).
Until recently, a single species of Leptobrachium, Leptobrachium hasseltii, was recognized in the Philippines. Upon closer examination of populations in each of the three major faunal regions in the Philippines that it is recognized to occur in, Brown et al. (2009) revised the taxonomy of the species, and described three unique Philippine endemics. Leptobrachium lumadorum is recognized to occur in the Mindanao faunal region, Leptobrachium mangyanorum is recognized to occur in the Mindoro faunal region, and Leptobrachium tagbanorum is known only from the Palawan faunal region. Interestingly, no populations of Leptobrachium have ever been recorded from the Visayan (central) or Luzon (northern) faunal regions in the country. These bizaar species of frogs have incredibly long arms and move by crawling across the surface of the substrate rather than hopping.
Leptobrachium tagbanorum can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 1) body size moderate to large (SVL 42.2-80.0 mm); 2) tympanum covered by dark coloration; 3) canthal stripe thick; 4) tibial bars 2-4; 5) predominant dorsal coloration and dorsal markings immaculate tan or with faint irregular brown blotches; 6) relative hind limb (HL/SVL) 0.39-44; 7) relative tibia length (TBL/SVL) 0.36-0.40; 8) realative forearm length (FA/SVL) 0.28-0.34; 9) relative pes (foot) length (PL/SVL) 0.31-0.38; and 10) sexual dimorphism (mean female:male SVL) 1.50 (Brown et al. 2009).
This species is recognized to occur on the islands of Palawan and Dumaran in the Philippines.
Palawan Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex (PAIC; Brown and Diesmos, 2002)
42.2-80.0 mm SVL
The type is stored in the Philippine National Museum; PNM 9560 (formerly KU 309458, Field number RMB 7620), adult male, from the Philippines, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, Municipality of Puerto Princesa City, Barangay Irawan, Irawan Watershed.
Leptobrachium tagbanorum is a species of frog in the family Megophryidae from Palawan, Philippines.
Leptobrachium tagbanorum is a species of frog in the family Megophryidae from Palawan, Philippines.
