Ohler’s Spiny Frog

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.

Source: NT

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