Ryukyu Kajika Frog

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Ryukyu Kajika Frog
riyuukiyuukazikagaeru1.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Buergeria
Species:
B. japonica
Binomial name
Buergeria japonica
(Hallowell, 1861)
Synonyms

Ixalus japonicusHallowell, 1861

The Ryukyu Kajika frog, Japanese Buerger's frog, or Japanese stream treefrog (Buergeria japonica) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Populations from northern Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands were isolated as a new species(Buergeria choui) in 2020. [2]

Contents

Habitat

Buergeria japonica is a common species that occurs in a wide variety of habitats (rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, geothermal wetlands, irrigated land, and canals and ditches). It is locally threatened by habitat loss. [1]

Description

Buergeria japonica is a small to medium-sized frog, about 3 cm (1.2 in) snout-vent length in males. [3]

Reproduction

Buergeria japonica normally breed in slow-moving water in ditches and small streams. However, some Taiwanese populations also breed in geothermal hot springs. In this habitat, frogs can breed throughout the year. Another advantage is that high temperature facilitates growth; furthermore, competition may be reduced in this unusual habitat. [4] Tadpoles can tolerate water temperatures up to about 42 °C (108 °F), however, few tadpoles enter areas of pools where temperature exceeds 37 °C (99 °F). [5]

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<i>Buergeria choui</i> Species of frog

Buergeria choui is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. Prior to its description in 2020, it was confused with Buergeria japonica. It is found in northwestern Taiwan and in the southern part of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, specifically on the Yaeyama Islands. Common name Yaeyama Kajika frog has been proposed for it. The specific name choui honors Wen-Hao Chou from the National Museum of Natural Science (Taiwan), the first person to pay attention to the variation within the former Buergeria japonica.

References

  1. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Buergeria japonica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T178958094A63849195. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T178958094A63849195.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Buergeria japonica (Hallowell, 1861)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  3. Lue, Kuang-Yang. "Rhacophorus japonica". BiotaTaiwanica. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  4. Chen, Te-Chin; Yeong-Choy Kam; Yao-Sung Lin (2001). "Thermal physiology and reproductive phenology of Buergeria japonica (Rhacophoridae) breeding in a stream and a geothermal hotspring in Taiwan". Zoological Science. 18 (4): 591–596. doi:10.2108/zsj.18.591. S2CID   54171906.
  5. Wu, Chi-Shiun; Yeong-Choy Kam (2005). "Thermal tolerance and thermoregulation by Taiwanese rhacophorid tadpoles (Buergeria japonica) living in geothermal hot springs and streams". Herpetologica. 61 (1): 35–46. doi:10.1655/04-50. JSTOR   3893558. S2CID   2868703.