''Polypedates megacephalus'', the Hong Kong whipping frog or spot-legged tree frog, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

in the shrub frog

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

(Rhacophoridae). In its native range, it is also called " brown tree frog", but this name is otherwise applied to a species of the true tree frog family (

Hylidae Hylidae is a wide-ranging family of frogs commonly referred to as " tree frogs and their allies". However, the hylids include a diversity of frog species, many of which do not live in trees, but are terrestrial or semiaquatic. Taxonomy and ...

Distribution and ecology

This species is native in central, southern and southwestern

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

(including

Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...

and

Hainan Hainan is an island provinces of China, province and the southernmost province of China. It consists of the eponymous Hainan Island and various smaller islands in the South China Sea under the province's administration. The name literally mean ...

) and Indo-China peninsula. It is closely related to ''

Polypedates leucomystax ''Polypedates'' is a genus of frogs in the family (biology), family Rhacophoridae, the shrub frogs and Paleotropic tree frogs. They belong to subfamily Rhacophorinae. Members of this genus are collectively known as whipping frogs. They occur in ...

'' and was formerly included in ''P. leucomystex'' species complex, along with '' P. mutus'' and ''P''. ''braueri''. Previously, ''P. megacephalus'' was thought to distribute above the Red River of Vietnam and in

Northeast India Northeast India, officially the North Eastern Region (NER), is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political Administrative divisions of India, administrative division of the country. It comprises eight States and ...

, while ''P. leucomystex'' was generally found south of the Red River and in western

Yunnan Yunnan; is an inland Provinces of China, province in Southwestern China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 47.2 million (as of 2020). The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders the Chinese provinces ...

. However, recent genetic studies revealed that the natural barriers between these species are the

Isthmus of Kra The Kra Isthmus (, ; ), also called the Isthmus of Kra in Thailand, is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula. The western part of the isthmus belongs to Ranong Province and the eastern part to Chumphon Province, both in Southern Thailan ...

and the Tenasserim Range, where ''P. megacephalus'' can be found above the isthmus and east of the range. This frog is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution in Asia and its tolerance of a broad range of habitats. It also because of its presumed large population.

Images

Polypedates megacephalus 3.jpg, Polypedates megacephalus, Spot-legged tree frog -

Phu Kradueng National Park Phu Kradueng National Park (), in the Si Than sub-district of Amphoe Phu Kradueng, Loei Province, is a national park in Thailand. It has a high point of 1,316 m (4318 ft) elevation at Khok Moei. It was proclaimed a national park on 2 ...

Polypedates megacephalus (mating), Spot-legged tree frog - Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park (34388069214).jpg, Mating Anura sleeping on a wooden beam in Laos.jpg, Resting

References

External links

Amphibians of China Fauna of Hong Kong Frogs of India Amphibians of Taiwan Amphibians described in 1861 {{Rhacophoridae-stub