New Bush Frog Species Discovered on the Slopes of Mount Merapi

RRI.CO.ID, Cibinong - Researchers from the National Innovation and Research Agency (BRIN) have discovered a new species of bush frog on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta Province. The species, named Philautus candrageni, increases the list of amphibian endemics on Java Island.

The discovery was made by a team from BRIN’s Centre for Biosystematics and Evolutionary Research led by Alamsyah Elang Nusa Herlambang. The study was based on intensive field surveys across Central Java and Yogyakarta Province carried out from 2017 to 2025.

Researchers also examined specimen collections housed at the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB), Directorate of Scientific Collection Management at BRIN. The findings were published in the international journal Zootaxa, Volume 5768, March 2026.

In the publication, the researchers report that Philautus candrageni is a new bush frog species found in the Mount Merapi area. The discovery raises the number of endemic Philautus species on Java, which previously comprised only three species.

Alamsyah said the new species shows distinct morphological, genetic, and bioacoustic characteristics compared with its closest relatives. The frog is medium-sized, has a relatively smooth dorsal skin texture, and exhibits a unique mating call pattern.

“Philautus candrageni is characterized by a medium-sized body and a head structure with a pronounced canthus rostralis. Its mating call consists of three distinct notes,” said Alamsyah in a statement quoted on BRIN’s website on Monday, 6 July 2026.

The species was identified using an integrative taxonomic approach that combined morphological analysis, mitochondrial DNA-based molecular phylogenetics, and bioacoustic analysis. This approach allowed researchers to uncover evolutionary lineages previously hidden as cryptic diversity.

Field sampling was conducted on Mount Ungaran, the Menoreh Range, and Mount Merapi. All specimens were analyzed morphometrically and genetically and documented as part of the national collection.

According to the study, Philautus candrageni has a limited distribution confined to the slopes of Mount Merapi. The species occupies plantation and mid-elevation montane habitats.

The discovery adds important data on Indonesia’s amphibian biodiversity and reinforces the country’s status as a global megabiodiverse nation. Indonesia’s species richness continues to be revealed through ongoing scientific research.

Alamsyah noted that endemic species with restricted ranges are highly vulnerable to environmental change and therefore require more targeted conservation efforts to preserve their natural habitats.

“Targeted conservation measures are needed to protect the habitats of endemic species, so their populations can be maintained in the wild,” he said.

BRIN conveyed it will continue to carry out sustainable exploration and biodiversity studies in Indonesia to strengthen the national scientific data base and support conservation strategies for the country’s endemic species. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)

Source: https://rri.co.id/iptek/2548331/spesies-baru-katak-semak-ditemukan-di-lereng-gunung-merapi