True frog  (Platymantis guentheri)

Platymantis guentheri is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Platymantis guentheri is a tree-dwelling frog, with a distinctive light brown colouration. It has black banding on the limbs and irregular black spots on the body (3), in contrast, the underside of Platymantis guentheri is pale cream and scattered with brown flecks (2).

This species is fairly small compared with many other species of the genus Platymantis, and has wide finger and toe discs, and smooth skin on its back (4).

Platymantis guentheri is endemic to the Philippines and is found on the islands of Bohol, Leyte, Biliran, Maripipi, Dinagat, Panglao, and Mindanao (1).

Platymantis guentheri inhabits tropical and sub-tropical rainforest and is found from sea level up to elevations of 700 metres (5). Although it is generally an arboreal species, it may also be found amongst leaf litter on the forest floor, and under logs and rocks (2).

Following copulation, the female typically lays a clutch of 20 to 24 colourless eggs which are 2 to 3 millimetres in diameter (2). Little more is known about the reproductive biology of Platymantis guentheri; however, it is assumed that like many other Platymantis species, it deposits the eggs amongst the leaves of epiphytic plants and aerial ferns (1).

Species of the Platymantis genus are unusual in that they exhibit ‘direct development’, with the eggs developing straight into froglets, rather than undergoing an aquatic larval stage (6).

The main threat faced by Platymantis guentheri is habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and the logging of large areas of lowland rainforest (1).

There are currently no specific conservation measures in place for Platymantis guentheri. However, this species does occur within a few protected areas, including Mount Malindang National Park and Mount Apo Natural Park. Additional protection of the rainforest habitats across the rest of its range is required to prevent further population declines, particularly on the islands of Mindanao, Leyte, Bohol, and Dinagat (1).

Find out more about Platymantis guentheri and its conservation:

• Amphibia Web:
  http://www.amphibiaweb.org/
• IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group:
  http://www.amphibians.org/ASG/Home.html
• HERPWATCH Philippines:
  http://www.herpwatch.org/