Rakwana Whipping Frog

About the Rakwana Whipping Frog

Taruga fastigo is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and only known from its type locality, Morningside Estate near Rakwana. Prior to its description in 2001, it was confused with Polypedates eques (now Taruga eques).

The specific name fastigo is Latin for "sharpened" and refers to the pointed snout of the species. Adult males measure 35–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in) and females 55–64 mm (2.2–2.5 in) in snout–vent length. The snout is pointed. The canthus rostralis is angular, and the canthal ridges are sharp. The tympanum is visible and the supratympanic fold is distinct. The fingers and toes have well-developed discs; the fingers are free from webbing whereas the toes are webbed. Skin is mostly smooth but granular on the abdomen and underside of the femur. There are prominent white tubercles around the vent and lower surfaces of the thighs. Dorsal colouration is brown or olive green, and the dorsum bears an incomplete, dark-brown hourglass-shaped marking. There is a black line on the lower flank that connects the axilla and groin. The canthal ridge and supratympanic fold are red. The lips have black edges. The venter is... Wikipedia →