Advertisement calls of Limnonectes macrognathus (Anura: Dicroglossidae) and Leptobrachium smithi (Anura: Megophryidae), native frog species from Langkawi, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bioacoustics information is an essential tool for anuran identification, especially within cryptic species. Here we recorded and analysed 17 calls of a male Limnonectes macrognathus individual and 15 calls of a single male Leptobrachium smithi. A Limnonectes macrognathus individual was caught at Gunung Raya on 13 July 2019, and an individual of male Leptobrachium smithi was caught at Lubuk Semilang on 18 January 2019. These species are native of the Langkawi Archipelago. The calls of Limnonectes macrognathus are short trills while Leptobrachium smithi calls have a single high-pitched ‘Kwak’ call. The advertisement call of Limnonectes macrognathus consists of two types that are emitted at a rate of 1 to 4 calls per minute. Each call lasts for 28.18 ± 29.69 (8.45–131.08) seconds (means ± SD (minimum – maximum)). Leptobrachium smithi produced high-pitched calls which consist of an apparent ‘KWAK’ sound. The advertisement call of Leptobrachium smithi consists of a single-note which is emitted 4–6 times per minute. Each call lasts for 0.22 ± 0.01 (0.21–0.23) seconds.