Leptolalax laui | Lau's Leaf Litter Frog

Leptolalax laui (Myers & Leviton, 1962)
Lau's Leaf Litter Toad 劉氏掌突蟾

Taxonomy

Order	Anura
Family	Megophryidae
Scientific name	Leptolalax laui
Chinese name	劉氏掌突蟾
Common name	Lau's Leaf Litter Toad

This species was previously described as Leptolalax liui. However, taxonomic studies suggested that the population in Hong Kong and Shenzhen belong to the same species, and it is different from topotypic L. liui that occurs in Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan and Guizhou Provinces. (Sung et al., 2014

Description

Size	2.5 cm
Description	A small toad Back brown with irregular dark mottling Presence of triangular marking behind the eyes Numerous granules over the body Chin and belly white Two white tubercles present on the chest Fingertips rounded

Habitat and Ecology

Habitat	Streams in secondary forests between 100 - 800 m elevation.
Activity
Behaviour	It is a burrower, but has well-developed adhesion disc on its fore limbs to enable climbing on steep surface. When disturbed, it is able to blow up its body and secrete sticky mucus.
Diet	Ants and other insects.

Reproduction

Breeding period	February to September
Mating call	(Please click to play)
Larvae	Bottom dwelling, about 30 mm in length Body greyish-brown or dark-brown Tip of the tail is rounded with transparent tail fin May take only 20 days to complete metamorphosis
Egg	Dark brown, floating in masses on stagnant water body.

Distribution and Conservation

Distribution	Occur in a number of sites, including Tai Mo Shan, Tai Po Kau, Shing Mun, Ho Chung, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Sunset Peak, Lantau Peak, in Hong Kong, as well as Wutongshan National Forest Park, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province. Exact distribution in China is unknown.
Conservation status (IUCN)

Gallery

References
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