Tree Frogs from Salak Mountain (in Collaboration with Dr. Mirza D. Kusrini-Faculty of Forestry-IPB)

The tree frogs are probably one of the attractive frog species compared to others. Most of the species are forest dependent, thus making tree frog an ideal animal as indicator of healthy forest.  The Chevron Geothermal Indonesia concession (S   0644.471 – .559 E 10638.453 – .882 – 951 – 1039 asl) known previously as Unocal Geothermal Indonesia is located between Mount Salak and Halimun, West Java. The concession area was separated into several blocks, called after local name AWI. In 2006 amphibian survey was conducted by the IPB team (Kusrini and Fitri 2006), mostly  in the graveled path used by the workers to check on the gas pipe in several AWI ( AWI-2, 7, 8, 12, 16) and also in tea plantation that surround the area. The team found five (5) species of tree frog, Philautus aurifasciatus , Philautus vittiger, Polypedates leucomystax, Rhacophorus javanus, and R. javanus.    Most notable finding is Philautus vittiger, an endemic and rare tree frog that was found in the bushes surrounding a natural pond between AWI 7 and AWI 8.

Tree Frog

The forest surrounding the CGI concession offers a unique opportunity to study the distribution and natural history of tree frog, especially to understand how habitat within a geothermal concession might still able to sustain tree frog diversity. We propose to conduct an ecological assessment on tree frog diversity within Chevron concession and corridor area, which include research on (a) population density and structure, and (b) habitat requirements and natural history of selected tree frog species.  As part of this proposal, our first year aims are to:

1.    To map the distribution of tree frog within the CGI concessions and the surrounding corridor area to increase our understanding of the role of habitat for the conservation of this species
2.    To record the natural history of Philautus vittiger found in the CGI concession, especially related to its feeding habit

In total, 20 species of anuran were found in this area consisting of  Bufonidae (Bufo asper, Leptophryne borbonica), Megophryidae (Megophrys montana, Leptobrachium hasselti ), Microhylidae (Microhyla achatina, M. palmipes), Ranidae (Rana hosii, R. chalconota,R. nicobariensis, Fejervarya limnocharis, Limnonectes kuhlii, L. macrodon, L. microdiscus, Huia masonii ), and  Rhacophoridae (6 species). The tree frog species consisted of one new record for West Java, which is Polypedates otilophus. Other tree frog species found are Rhacophorus reinwardtii, Rhacophorus javanus, Philautus aurifasciatus, Philautus vittiger, Polypedates leucomystax.  Mature tree frogs inhabit three main habitats: permanent streams, permanent ponds and terrestrial habitats. All tadpoles (except for P. aurifasciatus) were found in aquatic habitats: ponds, streams, roadside ditches and ephemeral pools.

Tree Frog Research