Kalon Litter Frog – Leptobrachella kalonensis – (Rowley, Tran, Le, Dau, Peloso, Nguyen, Hoang, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2016)

Science name: Leptobrachella kalonensis – (Rowley, Tran, Le, Dau, Peloso, Nguyen, Hoang, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2016)

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Amphibia>> Anura >> Megophryidae >> kalonensis

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: EN (Endangered Species)

Description:

Size:
Adult males range from 25.8 to 30.6 mm in snout-vent length (SVL), while females are slightly larger, measuring between 28.9 to 30.6 mm.
Physical Characteristics:
The head is nearly equal in width and length, with a blunt snout.
The tympanum is round and raised but not very distinct, smaller in diameter than the eye.
The dorsal surface is mostly smooth, and the skin is brown with dark patterns, including a prominent W-shaped marking between the shoulders.
The ventral surface is light brown with white speckling on the throat, chest, and belly.
The eyes are a distinct feature, with the upper third of the iris colored coppery-orange and the lower part yellow.

Distribution and habitat:

Distribution and Habitat
Geographic Range:
Leptobrachella kalonensis is known to occur in Song Luy Forest, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam. The species inhabits low to mid-elevation evergreen forests at altitudes ranging from 200 to 791 meters above sea level. It is found around small, rocky streams within these forested areas.
Habitat:
This species occurs in primary and secondary evergreen forests, often near rocky streams. The habitat is characterized by a mix of large trees and bamboo. The species appears to be tied to land near water bodies, with individuals found on the ground near streams. Despite being closely associated with terrestrial environments, the species likely breeds in streams, with an expected free-swimming larval stage.

Behaviour and ecology:

Reproductive Biology:
Males have been observed calling close to streams in June, suggesting that the species is a stream breeder, like other Leptobrachella species. Though no direct observation of eggs or larvae has been made, it is presumed to have a free-swimming larval stage.
Diet:
Leptobrachella kalonensis likely feeds on insects and other small invertebrates found in the leaf litter and near water sources within its habitat.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:

Endangered under criteria B1ab(iii) due to its restricted range and continuing decline in habitat quality.
Population Trend:

The population is decreasing, and the species is only known from a few fragmented locations.
Threats:
The primary threat to Leptobrachella kalonensis is habitat loss due to deforestation, forest degradation, and changes in land use. The continual decline in forest quality, particularly due to agricultural expansion and logging, poses significant risks to its survival.

Conservation Actions:
Conservation efforts should focus on habitat protection and preventing further degradation of the evergreen forests where the species resides. Conducting further surveys to understand its distribution, population size, and ecological requirements is essential.