Regarding species conservation, Fellowes et al. However, some hardier pollution-tolerant species, such as the Günther's Frog and Asian Common Toad, are still common and, even in disturbed habitats, widespread. ARE FROGS NOCTURNAL SKINThe pollution of water bodies and acid rain would also affect individual's survival, particularly for the sensitive species, as the permeable skin of amphibians makes them highly susceptible to the pollutants. The species was not found in recent surveys. Rapid development in Hong Kong has resulted in the loss of many low-lying wetlands which were once important amphibian habitats, and this has led to a severe decline in the populations of certain lowland species (such as the Rough-skinned Floating Frog ( Occidozyga lima), which inhabited the once-abundant, but no longer existing, paddy fields). Amphibian Conservation in Hong Kongĭespite their semi-terrestrial mode of life, amphibians are closely associated with water, because water bodies are their breeding ground. The Hong Kong Newt and the Hong Kong Cascade Frog ( Amolops hongkongensis) were once thought to be endemic to Hong Kong, but were later found in other places of Guangdong Province. Among the 24 native species recorded so far, only the Romer's Tree Frog is considered endemic to Hong Kong. Some widespread and abundant species, such as the Günther's Frog ( Sylvirana guentheri) and Paddy Frog ( Fejervarya limnocharis), can be found in different habitats at all altitudes. Marbled Pigmy Frog Microhyla pulchra, Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog Kalophrynus interlineatus). Giant Spiny Frog, Lau's Leaf-litter Toad) and lowland dwellers (e.g. This is mainly attributed to the presence of a wide range of habitats, from the hillside streams to the low-lying wetlands (such as agricultural fields), offering suitable habitats to both upland inhabitants (e.g. The amphibian fauna of Hong Kong is rather diverse, accounting for about 7 percent of the amphibian species occurring in China. ARE FROGS NOCTURNAL DOWNLOADThe other two species, the Short-legged Toad ( Megophrys brachykolos) and Lau's Leaf-litter Toad ( Leptobrachella laui), are confined to mountain streams.Ĭlick here to download the Checklist of Amphibians of Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, there are three species of toads, including the common and widespread Asian Common Toad ( Duttaphrynus melanostictus), which has poison glands on the sides of the head. Toads generally have dry, warty skin and no webbing between their toes. In Hong Kong, there are 24 species of frogs, including the White-spined Cascade Frog ( Amolops albispinus), which has only been recored on Lantau Island. The local frogs differ greatly in size, from the tiny Romer's Tree Frog ( Liuixalus romeri), which is about 1.5cm long to the huge Giant Spiny Frog ( Quasipaa spinosa), which grows to over 14cm in length. They mostly live near water bodies and are good swimmers. Frogs generally have slippery skin, with webbing between their toes. They spend their larval stage in water, but the adults are mainly terrestrial. They have no true neck and the adults are tail-less. In Hong Kong, this group is represented by only one species: the Hong Kong Newt ( Paramesotriton hongkongensis), which can be found in pristine mountain streams at all elevations.Īnurans consist of frogs and toads. Caudates are characterized by an elongated body, a long tail and an apparent neck. The Hong Kong amphibians belong to either Caudata (tailed amphibians) or Anura (tail-less amphibians). As they mature, they typically develop lungs and legs by a process called metamorphosis, so they are able to leave water and live on land. Amphibians hatch out as aquatic larvae (tadpoles), breathing through gills. Amphibians are cold-blooded they have bare and usually wet skin, without any scales or hair and, the most special feature, they have two distinct life phases. They comprise a group of animals with highly varied external morphology and habits, yet sharing some common characteristics. Amphibians are animals that spend part of their life in water and part on land.
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