Java white-lipped frog (Chalcorana chalconota)

Java white-lipped frog (Chalcorana chalconota) is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is a small- to medium-sized frog, with males measuring 33.8–49.8 mm in snout-vent length (SVL) and females measuring 49.3–73.1 mm. The head is triangular, the snout is pointed, and the tympanum (eardrum) is slightly recessed relative to the surface of the temple.

The eyes are large and prominent, and the body is slender. The ratio of head width to body length (HW/SVL) is 0.28–0.33 for males and 0.30–0.33 for females. The diameter of the tympanum is 0.088–0.129 of the body length in males and 0.07–0.08 in females. The tympanum is dark brown in color.





The skin on the back is rough and granular (in females) or covered in numerous fine tubercles (in males). A pair of narrow dorsolateral skin folds runs along either side of the back. The back may or may not feature relatively large, dark-colored spots.

The limbs are long and slender, with full webbing that extends to the tips of the digits, except for the tip of the fourth toe. The tibia length is 0.50–0.60 of the SVL. The fingers and toes have expanded, disc-like tips. The upper arm contains a large, prominent humeral gland, which is visible beneath the skin.

The body coloration is variable. In the light phase, the dorsal surface is often yellowish-cream or greenish, while the sides (lateral surfaces) are whitish, yellowish, or light yellowish-green. In the dark phase, the frog is typically brown or dark brown, marked with irregularly distributed, round black spots measuring 1–2 mm in diameter. A pair of somewhat faint dorsolateral folds runs along the back. The ventral side (underside of the body) is egg-white, with brownish spots or mottling, particularly around the chin. The ventral skin is smooth, while the dorsal skin is finely granular.

The upper lip is pearly white, extending into one or more silvery spots that reach above the forelimbs. The cheeks are dark brown, becoming lighter toward the rear, and the tympanum is brownish. The legs often exhibit a reddish hue on their undersides, particularly around the joints and on the webbing. The legs may also feature a mottled or striped pattern, while the posterior side of the thighs is dark brown with lighter-colored circular spots.

These frogs are primarily nocturnal and are frequently found around ponds, ditches, water channels, and small streams. Males perch in the vegetation overhanging the water’s edge—up to 1.5 meters above the ground—calling periodically to attract females. Females are often spotted at night resting on rocks or, occasionally, among the vegetation near bodies of water. Their diet consists of insects and spiders.

The tadpoles are greenish, yellowish, or sometimes orange, marked by three black stripes that converge at the eyes. They inhabit still or stagnant water.

TAXON

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Chalcorana Dubois (1992)
Species: Chalcorana chalconota Schlegel (1837)

SYNONYMS

Hydrophylax chalconotus Schlegel (1837)
Hyla chalconotus Schlegel (1837)
Hylarana chalconota Schlegel (1837)
Polypedates chalconotus Schlegel (1837)
Polypedates junghunii Bleeker (1856)
Rana chalconota Schlegel (1837)

VERNACULAR NAME

Czech: Skokan šplhavý
English: Java white-lipped frog, Schlegel's frog, Brown stream frog, Javan copper-cheeked frog, White-lipped frog, Copper-cheeked frog
Indonesian: Kongkang kolam, Kongkang kolam jawa, Kokam kolam, Bangkong, Perkak
Italian: Rana labbra bianche di Giava
Java: Bangkong
Russian: Желтоватая лягушка
Sunda: Bangkong kolé

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