Distribution and morphometrics of Kalophrynus palmatissimus (Kiew, 1984) from Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor and Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

A research study on an endemic frog species of Peninsular Malaysia, Kalophrynus palmatissimus (Kiew, 1984) (commonly known as Lowland Grainy Frog) at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR), Selangor and Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR), Negeri Sembilan was carried out from November 2016 until September 2017. This leaf-litter frog species can be found in the lowland forests of Peninsular Malaysia including Pasoh Forest Reserve, Gombak Forest Reserve, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), and Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. The distribution of this species has severely declined and the quality of its habitat in Peninsular Malaysia also continues to decrease as suitable areas are being converted to non-timber plantations and undergo rapid development of infrastructure. This study was conducted to determine the distribution, population density, and morphometric and microhabitat structures of K. palmatissimus at AHFR and PFR. Fifteen and eighteen nocturnal 400 m transect lines with an interval distance of 20 m were used for frog surveys at AHFR and PFR, respectively. In addition, temperature, humidity, soil pH, wind, and light of different microhabitats were also recorded. A total of 34 and 31 individuals of K. palmatissimus were recorded at AHFR and PFR, respectively. The population density of K. palmatissimus recorded at AHFR was 5.31 individuals/km2, whereas 6.02 individuals/km2 was recorded at PFR. Fifteen morphometric traits of K. palmatissimus were measured. Most of the 15 morphometric traits of K. palmatissimus at AHFR and PFR positively correlated with each other. The AHFR’s mean snout- vent length (SVL) (37.00 mm) was larger than PFR’s mean SVL (30.29 mm). The AHFR’s mean SVL for male and female K. palmatissimus were 35.30 mm and 39.40 mm, respectively, whereas the PFR’s mean SVL for male and female K. palmatissimus were 28.60 mm and 33.50 mm, respectively. This species was abundantly found on the surface of forest litter (96.9 %), compared to sandy surface (1.5 %) and on the dead log (1.5 %). It was found that K. palmatissimus at AHFR and PFR highly preferred leaf litter with non-hairy/smooth type morphology as their habitats. The data collections from AHFR and PFR have significantly contributed to a better understanding of ecological distributions, morphometrics, and habitats of this species. This information could help future conservation programmes and management to protect this endemic species from extinction.

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