The Amphibians of Java and Bali

85 Pages·1998·13.67 MB·English

by  Djoko T. Iskandar

L I P I - T H E F I E L D G U I D E S E R I E S
Research and Development Centre for Bio-UPI
LIPI-THE FIELD GUIDE SERIES
THE AMPHIBIANS
OF JAVA AND BALI
with 52 coloured photos and 57 line drawings
THE AMPHIBIANS
OF JAVA AND BALI
THE AMPHIBIANS OF JAVA AND BALI
with 52 coloured photos and 57 Iine drawings
Other titles available in the Series:
* *: Sulawesi Utara: Sebuah Panduan Sejarah Alam
*:* Amfibi Jawa dan Bali
*:* Pengenalan Burung-Burung di Sumatera, Jawa, Bali dan
Kaliman tan
*:* Mengenal Capung
by
Djoko T. Iskandar
Series editor
S.N. Kartikasari
Published by:
Published by:
Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIP1
Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIP1
Sponsored by GEF-Biodiversity Collections Project
Sponsored by GEF-Biodiversity Collections Project
1998
1998
dedicated to my parents,
to Lilyana, Indra and Wishnu,
and to my colleagues and students
THE AMPHIBIANS OF JAVA AND BALI
Djoko T. Iskandar
Copyright 0 1998 Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIP1
All rights reserved.
Published by Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIP1
ISBN 979-579-0145
Typesetting and graphics: Serawima Production
Distributor: The HAYATI Foundation
Printed in Indonesia by SMT Grafika Desa Putera
Indonesia GEF-Biodiversity Collections Project
Research and Development Centre for Biology-LIP1
GET-GRANT No. TF. 028657
The Global Environment Facility (Gm)-Biodivmsity Collections Project is a
project of the Government of Indonesia in the field of Biodiversity
Information Management.
The project is funded as a grant by the Global Environment Trust
Fund through the World Bank as its trustee under Grant No. TE
028657. Significant contribution is also made by the Indonesian
Government.
The project is being implemented by the Research and.D evelopment
Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (PPPB - LIPI),
over five years (19942000).
The Main Objectives of the Project are:
a. To provide support for the overall project management and co-ordi-
nation, in order to foster both effective project implementation and
long term institutional transformation;
b. To restore and develop the collections and associated functions of
the Herbarium and Zoological Museums;
c. To design and establish a computerised specimens-based database
for collection management, collection planning and development
and external use; and
d. To strengthen the capacity of PPPB to co-ordinate and foster col-
laborative biological research activities and client services.
PREFACE
As part of one of the biologically richest parts of the world, Java attracted
the attention of 19th century biologists with the result that by the early
part of the 20th century Java's fauna became quite well known. That
statement applies to the amphibian fauna ofJava as well as the rest of its
vertebrates. In 1923, P.N. van Kampen published The Amphiha of the
ZndeAustralian Archipelago, which for many years was treated as the
definitive review of the amphibians, in particular those of Java, a place
that had had so much attention in the preceding 100 years. Between
1923 and 1998 almost no studies were carried out on the amphibians of
Java. It was as though we already knew all that was essential or interest-
ing about them. That was a mistaken notion.
Although prior to 1923 much had been written about the adult
stages of the frogs of Java, relatively little was known of the other half of
the life cycle, the larval or tadpole stage of these species. Van Kampen
listed 36 species of frogs and two Caecilians (that very poorly known
group ofworm-like amphibians) from Java, but referred to the tadpoles
of only 20, although without certainty in most cases. Knowledge of the
larval stages of an assemblage of frog species is important because the
tadpoles are often clues to the evolutionary relations of species, but also
because the tadpoles provide ecological information essential to conser-
vation of these animals.
During the 50 years preceding van Kampen's monograph, much
was written about the amphibians from adjacent rich areas-Sumatra,
Borneo, continental Southeast Asia-and authors applied the names of
Javan species to frogs they had obtained from Borneo, say, or the Malay
Peninsula. One result of this tendency was that Java appeared to have
very few endemic species, that is, species unique to Java. It is accurate to
say that the author of the present volume, Dr. Djoko T. Iskandar, is the
first biologist since van Kampen to study seriously the relations of Javan
amphibians to those of adjacent territory. One of the results of his work
is the recognition that the Javan fauna is more distinctive than we had
thought, that many of the species thought to occur in Borneo and con-
tinental Southeast Asia are in fact limited to Java. That realization
changes our ideas about the history of the fauna and adds urgency to
the efforts to conserve the small remnants of natural areas in Java.
X AMFIBIJ AWAD AN BALI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Although this book has obvious value to specialists on amphibians, it is
written primarily with the needs of the non-specialist in mind. As such, it is
certain to stimulate teachers and students,' as well as persons with a keen
interest in natural history and conservation.
The publication of this book was made possible by the support of the
Research and Development Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of
Sciences in cooperation with the Department of Biology, Faculty of
Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Technology, Bandung.
For this reason, the author wishes to acknowledge H. Ibkar-Krama-
Robert F. Inger dibrata MSc. (Biology, FMIPA ITB) for her constant support and
Curator Emeritus, encouragement, and Dr. A. Budiman (GEF, Head of the Research and
Amphibians and Reptiles Development Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences)
Field Museum of Natural History who encouraged me to make the final effort to finish this book.
Chicago, USA My sincere thanks are also addressed here to Mr. Boeadi, G.G.
Hambali MSc., M. Sancoyo (Bogor),D r. R.F. Inger (USA), Prof. Dr. R.
Seymour and D.Y. Setyanto MS (Bandung) who willingly supplied
information, contributed to some of the figures, read and commented
on the text before it was published and corrected several errors. I want
to express my great appreciation for the line drawings, partly prepared
by dr. T.M. Raharjo, of my numerous students for their company in the
field, and of the late Dr. H.S. Hardjasasmita, and Dr. A. Rustama
(Bandung) for their support and cooperation. Particular thanks go to
Helen Taylor and Dr. Tony Whitten who edited the English version,
and to Ani Kartikasari who co-ordinated the publication of both the
English and Indonesian versions of this book.
Finally I would like to express my gratitude to my family, col-
leagues, students, technicians and many people from Indonesia and
other countries as well, who cannot all be mentioned here individually
for their contribution towards the publication of this book.
FOREWORD
The need for practical books on Indonesian fauna has increased consider-
ably during the last decade. They should be not only useful for students of
biology, but also give a more specific understanding of species distribution.
This need is tightly in concordance with the global threat of biodiversity
loss, so that the decline of a given species can be documented and updated
as new information is gathered from vaI-10~so~u rces. The only complete
book available for Indonesian amphibians is The Amphiha of the Indw
Australian Archipelago by P.N. van Kampen, published in 1923, although
there have been more recent taxonomic revisions of certain groups based
largely on material from outside 1ndonesia.Van Kampen's book is now not
only out of print, but seriously out of date. More than 60% of the names
have now changed as knowledge has advanced. Whilst there are other ref-
erences on Sabah, Sarawak, Malay Peninsula and Singapore, many
Indonesian species do not feature in these. In order to fill the gap for
Javanese and Balinese amphibians, I was asked by several authorities and
encouraged by several leading scientists to write a book based on my twenty
years of experience in this field. To serve the widest possible audience, I
have prepared this book in a semi-scientific way. Of the fifty species that
have been described as inhabiting Java, forty of them are considered valid
and are presented here. Fifty two coloured photos of 35 species are
included and 57 line drawings in black and white are provided to gve a bet-
ter idea about the form of the genera. It is hoped that this book can be used
by a diverse readership. In order to honour the finders of species, I have
included the names of those who contributed in naming the genera and
species. The name of the author and the publication date in some of the
species description are presented in brackets to indicate that these species
are initially described in different genera.
Some information about other Indonesian (and to some extent South-
east Asian), amphibians is included to give a fuller picture. Most Javan
species that were widespread in Southeast Asia were described from Java.
However most of these species have no exact type locality. Unfortunately,
information from many regions in Central and Eastern Java is still laclung
and this is reflected in the very few localities mentioned in this book. It is
hoped readers can help fill these gaps in knowledge by sending their
records of amphibians to the author so that the book can be updated.
Xlll
TABLE O F CONTENTS
Preface ............................................... ix
Acknowledgments ....................................... xi
...
Foreword ............................................. xi11
.
Chapter 1 The Biolog of the Amphibians of Java and Bali ....... 1
.
Chapter 2 Classification of Javan and Baliiese Amphibians ......9
.
Chapter 3 Identification Key to Amphibian Families Using Adult
Forms ................................................ 13
.
Chapter 4 Identification Key to Tadpoles .................... 21
.
Chapter 5 The Caecilians ................................ 27
Ichthyophis hypocyaneus ................................ 28
.
Chapter 6 Frogs and Toads ...............................3 1
.
Chapter 7 Family Megophryidae. The Litter Frogs ............. 35
7.1 Lqbtobrachium hasseltii .............................. 36
7.2 Megophrys montana ................................ 37
W
Chapter 8. Family Bufonidae, The True Toads ................ 41
8.1 Lqbtophryne borbonica ...............................4 2
8.2 Lqbtophryne cruentata .............................. 43
8.3 Bufo asper .......................................4 5
8.4 Bufo biporcatus ................................... 46
8.5 Bufo melanostictus ................................. 47
8.6 Buf o parvus ...................................... 48
.
Chapter 9 Family Microhylidae. The Narrow Mouth Frogs ...... 51
9.1 Kulophrynus mznusculus new species ...................5 3
9.2 Kalophrynus pleurostip~u. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 4
9.3 Kaloula Oakatcl ...................................5 5
9.4 Mirrohyln achatrna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 6
9.5 Microhyla palmipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 7
9.6 Orsophryn~m onticoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 8
XVl AMFIBJI AWAD AN BALI
LIST OF FIGURES
Chapter 10. Family Ranidae, The True Frogs ................. 61
10.1 Huia masonii .................................. 63
10.2 Rana (Hylarana) baramica ........................ 65
10.3 Rana (Hylarana) chalconota ..... : ................. 66
10.4 Rana (Hylarana) erythraea ........................6 7 Figure 1. Important amphibian body features: a. dorselateral
10.5 Rana (Hylarana) hosii. ........................... 68 fold; b. tympanum; c. snout; d. nuptial pads; e. finger web-
10.6 Rana (Hylarana) nicobariensis. ..................... 69 bing~;f . subarticular tubercle; g. smooth tips; h. conical
10.7 Rana (Aquarana) catesbiana ....................... 70 tips; i. flattened tips with circum-marginal groove; j. spat-
1 0.8 Fqeruarya canniuora. ...........................7. 1 ulated tips; k. clawed tips; 1. parotoid gland; m. supraor-
10.9 Fejeruarya limnocharis. ........................... 72 bital ridge; n. arciferal scapular girdle; o. firmisternal
10.10 Fqeruarya new species ........................... 73 scapular girdle; p. parietal ridge. .......................1 4
10.11 Limnonectes kuhlii. .............................. 74 F i e 2 . The body shapes of: A) Bufo melanostictus, B) Bufo
10.12 Limnonectes macrodon. ...........................7 5 asper, C) Leptophryne borbonica, D) wtophryne mentata,
10.13 Limnonectes microdiscus. .......................... 77 E & F) wtobrachium hasseltii, and G & H) Megophrys mon-
10.14 Occidozyga lima. ................................ 78 tuna. ..............................................1 5
10.15 Occidozyga sumatrana ............................7 9 Figure 3. The body shapes of: A & B) Kaloula babata,
C) Kalophrynus pleurostigma, D) Kalophrynus minusculus,
Chapter 11. Family Rhacophoridae, The South Asian Tree Frogs. . 83
E) Microhyla achatina, F) Microhyla palmipes G) Rana cates-
11.1 Nyctixalus margaritzfer. ...........................8 4
beiana, and H) Xenopus bis. ..........................1 6
11.2 Philautus aurifasciatus ...........................85
Figure 4. The body shapes of: A & B) Huia masonii, C &
11.3 Philautus jacobsoni ............................... 86
D) Rana (Hylarana), E) Fqeruarya limnocharis F) Fqervarya
11.4 Philautus pallidipes ............................. 87
canniuma, and G & H) Limnonectes sp. ...................1 7
11.5 Philautus uittiger ...............................8 8
F i e 5 . The body shapes of: A & B) Occidozyga lima, C & D)
1 1.6 Polypedates leucomystax ..........................8.9 R
Philautus sp., E & F) Polypedates leucomystax, G) Rhace
1 1.7 Rhacophoms jauanus ............................ 90
phms sp., and H) Rana (Hylarana) sp. ..................1 8
1 1.8 Rhacophoms reinwardtii .......................... 9 1
Figure 6. Tadpoles of A) Bufo melanostictus, B) B. asper, C) Lqb-
Chapter 12. Family Pelodryadidae, The Austral*Papuan Tree Frogs .95 tophryne mentata, D) L.qbtobrachium hasseltii, E) Megophrys
Litoriajauana .......................................9 6 montana, F) Kaloula babata, G) Kalophrynus sp., and
H) Microhyla achutina. ............................... 24
Chapter 13. Family Pipidae, The African Clawed Toads ......... 99
13.1 Xenopus laeuis. ................................. 99 Figure 7. Tadpoles of A) Huia masonii, B) Limnonectes sp.,
13.2 Hymenochirus sp. .............................. 100 C) Rana sp., D) Fqeruarya sp., E) Occidozyga sp., F) Poly-
pedates leucomystax, G)R hacophorus sp., and H) Xenopus h-
Bibliography .......................................... 101 uis. ...............................................2 5
Glossary ............................................. 104
Scientific Names Applied to the Amphibians of Java. ..........1 07
Institutional Abbreviations ...............................1 08
Indexes ..............................................1 09