Philippine Flat-headed Frog

The Philippine flat-headed frog (Barbourula busuangensis) is a species of frog in the Bombinatoridae family. It is also known under the common names "Busuanga jungle toad", "Philippine aquatic frog", "Busuanga disk-tongued toad", and "Busuanga discoglossid frog" (the last two names reflect the earlier placement of the genus Barbourula in the family Discoglossidae, but are misleading under current taxonomy). It is endemic to the Busuanga, Culion, Balabac, and Palawan islands in the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical dryforests, moist lowland forests, moist montane forests, rivers, and intermittent rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. Little is known of the breeding habits of this rare species and tadpoles have not been observed. This frog (Barbourula Busuangensis) belongs to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata. Under Class Amphibia. Order Anura means tailless amphibians that comprises the frogs and toads. Also called Salientia or Batrachia. From the Family of Bombinatoridae means warty. Genus Barbourula means is a genus of amphibian commonly referred to as jungle toads Species B. Busuangensis.

Gross Morphology

Barbourola busuangensis has a large and heavy body. This species of frog is highly aquatic unlike the other frog. It has a flattened body shape and robust (strong) and muscular hindlimbs and forelimbs that helps them to hop from one place to another. Its forelimbs and hindlimbs digits (fingers) are webbed for them to swim fast when avoiding predators. This frog has a fine body wart for their urination and absorption of moist. Dark in color and its body color is dark green to black. Crossbars on hindlimbs and no external tympanum for hearing.

Animal Description

This frog can only be seen in mountain streams and fast moving water. Barbourula busuangensis’ metamorphosis starts from egg to tadpoles, young frog to adult frog. When mating, the male climbs on top and clasps the female underneath in an embrace called amplexus. During amplexus the female discharges eggs, usually into water, while the male sheds sperms over the eggs. Breathe with the use of lungs and gills on its maturing stage. They also breathe through their skin with tiny blood vessels, capillaries, under the outer skin layers. The food of this frog is insects and finds almost all of its food on land.

Taxonomical Classification