Ohler’s Spiny Frog, Discovery, Key Features, Latest News

Q: What is the significance of the latest discovery of a new large spiny frog species?

The discovery highlights the still-underexplored biodiversity of Asia’s forests and streams and underscores the need for conservation efforts to protect these unique amphibians.

Q: Where are Ohler’s Spiny Frogs typically found?

They are found in rocky streams of evergreen forests in northern Vietnam, southern China, and the Himalayan foothills.

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Ohler’s Spiny Frog Latest News

Ohler’s Spiny Frog, a newly discovered large stout frog with spiny chest, was found at a waterfall in Vietnam—over 4 inches long, challenges conservation norms.

About Ohler’s Spiny Frog

Ohler’s Spiny Frog refers to large, robust frogs within the Quasipaa or related genera, which are known for their spiny chests and large size.
These frogs are primarily found in fast-flowing streams of evergreen forests in Southeast Asia and the Himalayan foothills.
Habitat: Rocky streams in evergreen forests, particularly in northern Vietnam, southern China, and the Himalayan region.
Key Features:
- Stout body with rough, spiny tubercles on chest (in males), toes are partially webbed
- Males develop throat and chest spines during breeding, a characteristic linked to spiny frog identification
- Skin colouration is dark brown with yellowish mottling; eyes are dark greenish.
- Size reaches a snout-vent length exceeding 10 cm (typically 7–8 cm).
Significance
- Ecological Value: Adds to biodiversity and underlines the ecological uniqueness of waterfall ecosystems
- Conservation Insight: Highlights the need for habitat protection in Vietnam, especially for stream-dwelling amphibians
- Research Contribution: Supports regional biogeography studies of Dicroglossidae frogs across Indo-Asia.