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A species of Limnonectes and its odontoid proceeeses. Photo JCM. |
The frog genus
Limnonectes Fitzinger holds 55 species with odontoid processes (tooth-like structures), and are therefore called “fanged frogs.” Fanged frogs have large males and male parental care. They are found throughout east and Southeast Asia, and are usually associated with forest stream habitats, and two or members of the genus may live together.
Limnonectes kuhlii Tschudi was long believed to be a widespread species, but recent molecular work revealed considerable diversity within the species complex.
L. kuhlii, historically recognized as a single species, is a complex of more than 22 well-supported species 16 of which are currently subsumed under the nominal
L. kuhlii. Tschudi (1838) designated the island of Java as the type locality for
L. kuhlii. Thus, all individuals from Java to retain the name
L. kuhlii. A series of frogs collected from three stream systems in West Sumatra and identified as
Limnonectes kuhlii were found to be a distinct, undescribed species. Now, Mcloed et al. (2011) have described these specimens as a new species,
Limnonectes sisikdagu, which has a spine covered mental plate.
Citation
Mcleod, D. S. et al. 2011. “Same-same, but different”: an unusual new species of the
Limnonectes kuhlii Complex from West Sumatra (Anura: Dicroglossidae).
Zootaxa 2883:53-64.
