Rana raniceps, (PETERS, 1871)

Inger, Robert F., Stuart, Bryan L. & Iskandar, Djoko T., 2009, Systematics of a widespread Southeast Asian frog, Rana chalconota (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155 (1), pp. 123-147 : 135-136

RANA RANICEPS ( PETERS, 1871)

(Previously referred to as Borneo Small morphotype)

Polypedates raniceps Peters, 1871: 580 – Sarawak.

Rana raniceps Iskandar & Colijn, 2000: 91 ; Stuart et al., 2006: 473.

Rana (Chalcorana) raniceps Dubois, 1992: 328 .

Rana chalconota raniceps Inger, 1966: 177 .

Material examined

MSNG 29376 lectotype (see Capocaccia, 1957) from ‘ Sarawak;’ Bintulu Division : Labang Forest Reserve (3°21′N / 113°27′E) FMNH 148083-219 ; Samarakan (2°56′N / 113°07′E) FMNH 267965-66 ; Bukit Sarang (2°39′N / 113°03′E) FMNH 267958-64. The paralectotype designated by Capocaccia (MSNG 50536) is a rhacophorid, with intercalary cartilages, a distinct projection at the heel and the entire abdomen coarsely granular, but no outer metatarsal tubercle.

Diagnosis

SVL of lectotype female 40.4 mm, other females 33.1–42.3 mm, mean 38.20 ± 0.48 mm (N = 30); males 27.6–34.1 mm, mean 30.35 ± 0.93 mm (N = 8). DF3 / SVL 0.055 –0.068 , median 0.060. Back usually without dark spots. Males with nuptial pad constricted; male TYM/ SVL 0.089 –0.127 (N = 6).

Descriptive notes

The head is triangular and the snout slightly projecting. Inside its rim, the tympanum is slightly depressed relative to the surface of the temporal region. The pineal body is faintly visible and is in line with the anterior borders of the upper eyelids. The skin of the back is granular and in males is set with many fine spinules. The hind limb is without crossbars in most preserved specimens.

Comparisons

This is the smallest member of the chalconota group, differing significantly (P ³ 0.001, both sexes) from all other species except males of parvaccola (see below) ( Tables 2 and 6). It differs from the two species from Padang, West Sumatra ( parvaccola and rufipes see below), labialis and co-occurring R. megalonesa (see below) samples in the low frequency of dark dorsal spots. The uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence between R. raniceps and the co-occurring R. megalonesa (see below) is 13.11–13.97% (Table 4).

This species is known only from low-lying areas of west-central Sarawak.