Buergeria robusta

Buergeria robusta
female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Rhacophoridae
Genus:	Buergeria
Species:	B. robusta
Binomial name
Buergeria robusta (Boulenger, 1909)
Synonyms
Rhacophorus robustus Boulenger, 1909 Polypedates robustus (Boulenger, 1909)

Buergeria robusta (robust Buerger's frog or strong stream frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is sympatric with Buergeria japonica but is much larger in size.[2]

Habitat and distribution

The species is endemic to Taiwan,[3] where it is known by the name brown tree frog.[4] Buergeria robusta is a common and widespread species found at low to medium altitudes. These frogs live mainly near the creeks or streams. They are locally threatened by habitat loss; they are also collected for consumption.[1][5]

The genetic landscape of Buergeria robusta presents high congruence to the topography of Taiwan; populations on the eastern and western sides of the Central Mountain Range showed a prominent genetic divergence.[6]

Description

Buergeria robusta are medium to large-sized treefrogs. Their body is stocky; males grow to 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) in snout-vent length and females to 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in). The skin of the dorsum is smooth. The colour varies with the environment from brown or gray to greenish and to even yellow.[5]

Breeding season is from February to September, when males can be found sitting and calling on tops of rocks. Eggs are deposited directly in water, without making a foam nest.[1]

References

1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Buergeria robusta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T58785A63851601. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T58785A63851601.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
2. Huang, W. S.; Lee, J. K.; Ho, C. H. (2001). "Reproductive patterns of two sympatric rhacophorid frogs, Buergeria japonica and B. robusta, with comments on Anuran breeding seasons in Taiwan". Zoological Science. 18: 63–70. doi:10.2108/zsj.18.63. S2CID 83031183.
3. Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Buergeria robusta (Boulenger, 1909)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
4. Crooks, Steven (21 December 2018). "Highways and Byways: Water the color of Jade". Taipei Times. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
5. Lue, Kuang-Yang. "Buergeria robusta". BiotaTaiwanica. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
6. Lin, H. D.; Chen, Y. R.; Lin, S. M. (2012). "Strict consistency between genetic and topographic landscapes of the brown tree frog (Buergeria robusta) in Taiwan". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 62 (1): 251–262. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.09.022. PMID 22019937.