Buergeria robusta

Buergeria robusta (robust Buerger's frog or strong stream frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is sympatric with Buergeria choui and Buergeria otai but is much larger in size.^[2]

Buergeria robusta
female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Rhacophoridae
Genus:	Buergeria
Species:	B. robusta
Binomial name
Buergeria robusta (Boulenger, 1909)
Synonyms
Rhacophorus robustus Boulenger, 1909 Polypedates robustus (Boulenger, 1909)

Habitat and distribution

The species is endemic to Taiwan,^[3] where it is known by the name brown tree frog.^[4] Buergeria robusta is a common and widespread species found at low to medium altitudes. These frogs live mainly near the creeks or streams. They are locally threatened by habitat loss; they are also collected for consumption.^[1][5]

The genetic landscape of Buergeria robusta presents high congruence to the topography of Taiwan; populations on the eastern and western sides of the Central Mountain Range showed a prominent genetic divergence.^[6]

Description

Buergeria robusta are medium to large-sized treefrogs. Their body is stocky; males grow to 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) in snout-vent length and females to 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in). The skin of the dorsum is smooth. The colour varies with the environment from brown or gray to greenish and to even yellow.^[5]

Breeding season is from February to September, when males can be found sitting and calling on tops of rocks. Eggs are deposited directly in water, without making a foam nest.^[1]