The first breeding of Fea's Treefrog - Rhacophorus feae at the Leningrad Zoo with account of the species. by Anna A. Bagaturova, Mikhail F. Bagaturov (corresponding author, email: [email protected]), “Department of Insectarium and Amphibians”, Leningrad zoo, St. Petersburg, Russia Abstract. The success of first captive breeding of the giant species of rhacophorid arboreal frog Rhacophorus feae in amphibian facility in Leningrad Zoo (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) has been described. Their natural history data, conservation status, threads, natural predators, morphology including size discussion, prophylactic and medication treatment; issues of adopting of wild adult specimens, keeping and captive breeding in zoo’s amphibian facility were described; features of breeding behavior stimulation, foam nest construction, rising of tadpoles and young frogs of other rhacophorids in comparison with hylid treefrogs’ species were discussed. Keywords. Rhacophoridae: Polypedates, Rhacophorus maximus, R. dennysi, R. annamensis, R. orlovi, Kurixalus odontotarsus, R. feae: natural history, conservation status, threads, description, thread pose, Vietnam, Thailand; captive management, adaptation, breeding, nest, tadpoles, froglets, veterinary; feeding, proper housing, Hylidae, captive management, raising; Leningrad Zoo. Genus Rhacophorus H. Kuhl and J.C. van Hasselt, 1822 comprised for over 80 species (Frost, 2011, with later additions). Every year new species of rhacophorid frogs described from the territories of Vietnam, China, Cambodia and other countries of southeastern Asia for last decades (Inger et al, 1999 a, b.; Orlov et al, 2004, 2005 etc, see: References section for others). Some species of Rhacophorus also referred to as Polypedates, Aquixalus and Kurixalus according to different authors (Orlov and Ho, 2005, Fei et al, 2005, Yu et al, 2009, Frost, 2011, etc). The type species is Rh. Moschata Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (= Hyla Reinwardtii Schlegel, 1840). According to different points of view taxon Rhacophoridae Hoffman, 1932, which genus Rhacophorus belonging to subfamily Rhacophorinae, for several times on different research data (mostly molecular: Wiens at al, 2009, Li et al, 2008, Li et al, 2009) was included into family Ranidae as a subfamily (Rhacophorinae) or distinct family (Bossuyt and Roelants, 2009). Here we accept the position of Orlov and Ananjeva, 2007 and latter authors by positioning this taxon in family status belonging to neobatrachian clade Ranoidea. Species account of Rhacophorus feae (Boulenger, 1893): Types: MSNG, BMNH. Type territory: “Thao, northern Burma (=Myanmar)”: 19° 23' N, 96° 54' O, 1300 m-1400 m a.s.l. Also referred to as: Polypedates feae (auct. n.) Distribution: South China (Yunnan: Mengla, Hekou and Pingbian Counties), Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar (Karen Hills), North Thailand, Vietnam (North, Central (1 locale) and South (1 locale)). Picture 1. Adult male of Rhacophorus feae with froglet sitting on its head. Photo©Mikhail F. Bagaturov Conservation status and threads. Natural predators. IUCN (Red List) status: Least Concern (LC). That shall be changed at the opinion of authors of this article due to an information massive analyzed during the study and research for the species (see below data). Their status in Thailand is listed as "near threatened" [Nabhitabhata, J. & T. Chan-ard, 2005], because of just the few areas where they are known from. Greatest threats would most likely come from habitat destruction, local climate change by deforestation of unprotected land and rising temperatures from global climate change would definitely threaten their presence in Thailand. It is listed as “endangered“ in Vietnam also due to a limited locality known [Red Datа Book of Vietnam, 2007]. The most known population in Sa Pa suffers from urbanization due to a tourists development of the region as well as deforestation and habitat loss. Species of snakes Amphiesma sp. found on feeding on eggs in the foam nests [Cota, pers. comm., 2010] as well as maybe other species of snakes and groups of reptiles and also amphibians predating on tadpoles, froglets and smaller frogs. It is supposed that they live most of their adult life high up in the trees which they come down from only during the breeding season, thus, adults do not suffer much from predators (collecting by locals for food in breeding pools was and is maybe still one of the major threats). Observation in nature: for the last 20 years in fact it is known from Thailand (Doi Lang, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province [Cota, pers. comm.]; Mae Hong (Pa Sue Falls); Phu Luang, Loei), North (Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces) and South (Kon Tum province; Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak province) Vietnam [Nikolai Orlov, Roman Nazarov, Nguyen Thien Tao, Thomas Ziegler, Jody Rowley]. Natural history of R. feae in Vietnam (by Orlov and Ananieva, 2007; by Nguyen Thien Tao, pers. comm., 2010) Inhabits mountain range between 1200-2000 m above see level (on northern territories); found mostly in primary forests and may be found near the villages; breeds in May-June (Vietnam) and July (Thailand) on quiet reaches of mountain streams, ponds densely covered with bamboo, banana trees and large Aroid plants. Calling males usually occupy plant leaves, big branches and rock surfaces around the pool at a stand of 1.5-3 m. Most breeding pools are small but deep and allows adult specimens to hide in which they do readily under any thread. Picture 2, 3. Habitat of Rhacophorus feae in Thailand (on the left). Photo©Mihael Cota. Breeding pool at base of the peak of Doi Lang. Nests are visible. Photo©Mihael Cota Nests usually constructed not high above the pools (less than half a meter) on rocks, bamboo and bush branches, sometimes near the water on the ground. There is also data according that breeding season lasts in Vietnam from April to November [Nguyen T. Tao, pers. comm]. In the southern area (Chu Yang Sin National Park) they inhabit montane forests above 1500 m a.s.l. Natural history of R. feae in Thailand (by Michael Cota, pers. comm., 2010) Known from high elevation in montane forests over 1000 m a.s.l., for example: base of the peak of Doi Lang, the second highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain [Nabhitabhata, J. & T. Chan-ard, 2005], etc. In their habitat it has been found in sympatry with Tylototriton verrucosus, which also prefers cooler temperatures, in a number of known localities. Breeding site found at the base of the peak of Doi Lang, Thailand's second highest mountain, with mating aggregation of 5 specimens at a spring fed pool, less than 4m x 4m (See: Picture 2, 3). There were three or four nests already present on foliage hanging over the pool (July). Description. Size discussion. Very large, presumably the largest species of arboreal frog of world fauna (see below for size discussion). Named by George Albert Boulenger in 1893 after great Italian naturalist and zoologist Leonardo Fea (1852 - 1903) who was the collector of the type specimen in the year 1888 among other material brought from his expedition in Burma (Myanmar) [Boulenger, 1893]. Common names known for the species: Fea's (Giant) Treefrog; Thao Whipping Frog; Brown-Folded Treefrog. Picture 4. Rhacophorus feae, adult male (on left) and Rhacophorus dennysi, adult female (bluish overall coloration is due to CB origin of specimen), pictured for comparison on palm. Photo©Mikhail F. Bagaturov Coloration (see: Picture 1, 8) is of different shades of green or dark-brown which mostly dependent on the species' mood and activity in connection with lights, humidity, etc. In the breeding season, the males’ skin develops a scabrous structure overall and the rostrum becomes elongated in the form of a beak-like extension (same is known in males of R. dennysi, but even more prominent). Skin of the female always stays smooth during all parts of the year. Sexual dimorphism in size is also represented like in most rhacophorid frogs (see: Table I). Two large longitudinal ridges of yellowish-brown color alongside lateral fold of the head in adult are characteristic of the species that differentiate it from other giant treefrogs – Rhacophorus dennysi found in the same areas in South China and Vietnam whose ridges are of the same color as the body, but not so intensively developed (see: Picture 4). Body is a bit depressed, not as rounded as in other closely related species. Fea’s treefrog also uniformly colored, as opposed to its close relative, R. dennysi, which has different colored spots on the lateral and dorsal part of the body (rusty, blue or white depending on population they are originated from the wild). Size. Specimens kept in Leningrad zoo: - largest male, c. 12.1-12.3 cm, - female, c. 13.8-13.9 cm. Picture 5, 6. Average size male specimen of Rhacophorus feae from amphibian facility (on left) and female in terrarium at the Leningrad zoo, pictured near the ruler. Photo©Mikhail F. Bagaturov Regarding the size of the biggest arboreal frog, there are different opinions and data known from different sources. Records listed for a female Litoria infrafrenata for 13.9 cm TL as the largest (supposed to refer to a female: authors’ point) [Tyler, 1992]. Source Male size, in Female size, in Source Male size, in Female size, mm mm mm in mm Bagaturov M.& Bagaturov M.& Bagaturova A. c. 112 - 128 c. 138 – 139 Bagaturova A. c. 98-98,5 c. 102-128,5 (measurements made on (3 specimens) (1 specimen) (measurements made on (1 specimen) (5 specimens) live specimens) live specimens) Nguyen Thien Tao 99,4 - 104,7 122,3 Nguyen Thien Tao 60,8–98,9 106,1 – 120,1 (2 specimens) (1 specimen) (6 specimens) (4 specimens) Orlov N.&Ananieva N. 83,4 – 106,5 103,6 – 120,1 Orlov N.&Ananieva N. 96,4 – 128,2 97,2 – 132,1 (10 specimens) (6 specimens) (25 specimens) (25 specimens) Table I.