Added 3 January 2005. Last updated 21 May 2006.
Family BOMBINATORIDAE - Typical Frogs
Genus BARBOURULA - Jungle Toads
A genus of just two species. Neither, as far as I am aware, has been seen in captivity with any regularity, and B. busuangensis at least is rare so may be endangered and protected.
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Distribution |
Size |
Notes |
| B. busuangensis |
Busuanga Jungle Toad/ Philippine Discoglossid Frog |
Philippines (Palawan and Busuanga islands) |
7-10cm SVL |
A large frog with stout, depressed body and stout limbs. It is aquatic and found only in lowland rivers and forest streams, where it apparently feeds mainly on aquatic organisms [Alcala]. Alcala notes that it is rare and describes it as a relict species. It largely resembles the aquatic ranid species Ooeidozyga laevis but can be distinguished from the latter by the possession of a short dermal process (like a tiny tentacle or barbel) just below the eye, which O. laevis lacks [Myers]. Description: head broader than long, nostrils dorsal in position, snout broadly rounded; dorsal skin rough with small scattered tubercles; lower skin surfaces smooth. Fingers tips bluntly rounded with webs reaching tips but deeply incised; tips of toes rounded and fully webbed to their ends; subarticular tubercles present. Coloration (in preservative): dorsally dark brown to brown slate, fairly uniform; ventrally dirty white to light brown. |
| B. kalimantanensis |
Kalimantan Jungle Toad |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) |
10 cm? |
Found at elevations from 1200 to 1640m. |
Bibliography
Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna. Volume X, Amphibians and Reptiles, Prof. Angel C Alcala, Natural Resources Management Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines, 1986.
"Rediscovery of the Philippine Discoglossid Frog, Barbourula busuangensis", George S Myers, Copeia 1943 Number 3, October 15.
Links
AmphibiaWeb is a useful source for species lists and seems to be the amphibian equivalent of the EMBL Reptile Database. A very worthwhile and important project which also focuses on conservation and the issue of amphibian decline. I acknowledge my debt to this site for filling in the gaps in the different amphibian genera. Any mistakes on these pages are my own!