Meristogenys kinabaluensis

Meristogenys kinabaluensis (common names: Kiau Borneo frog, Kinabalu torrent frog) is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is endemic to Borneo and is found in Sabah, Sarawak (Malaysia), and Kalimantan (Indonesia).^[3][4] The specific name refers to its type locality, Mount Kinabalu.^[2][3]

Meristogenys kinabaluensis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Ranidae
Genus:	Meristogenys
Species:	M. kinabaluensis
Binomial name
Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Inger, 1966)
Synonyms
Amolops kinabaluensis Inger, 1966[2]

Description

Males measure typically 50–68 mm (2.0–2.7 in) whereas females can grow to 90 mm (3.5 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is blunt; the body is slightly more stocky compared to some other Meristogenys species. The skin on the dorsum has smooth warts. The dominant color is green, including the eyes.^[4]

The tadpoles can grow to 60 mm (2.4 in) in total length and are light brown with a yellow hue. The tail is strong and the snout and body are depressed and streamlined.^[4]

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are submontane and montane forest at 750–1,700 m (2,460–5,580 ft) above sea level. Breeding takes place small, clear, rocky streams.^[1][4] These frogs are often found at night perching 1–2 m high on tree trunks or branches by rocky streams.^[4] The tadpoles cling to the rocks where the current is strong, presumably feeding on lithophytic algae.^[1]

The species is threatened by habitat loss, although it occurs in a number of protected areas, i.e., in the Kinabalu Park, Crocker Range National Park, Kayan Mentarang National Park, and Gunung Mulu National Park.^[1]