CR

Leptobrachella palmata

Declining

Overview

Leptobrachella palmata is a species of frog in the family Megophryidae. It is endemic to Borneo, and known only from its type locality in Lipaso Forest Reserve, Sabah, Malaysia. Common names palm Borneo frog and palm dwarf litter frog have been coined for it.

Leptobrachella palmata faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its limited range in Southeast Asia. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams and its restricted distribution make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human encroachment.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits pristine montane and submontane tropical forests, typically found near clear, fast-flowing streams and rocky areas at elevations between 200-1,500 meters. It requires undisturbed forest canopy cover and clean water sources for breeding and larval development.

Forest· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

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Podocarpus ridleyi

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Benstonea saint-johnii

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Leptobrachella palmata classified as Critically Endangered?
Leptobrachella palmata is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Leptobrachella palmata faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its limited range in Southeast Asia. The species' dependence on pristine forest streams and its restricted distribution make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human encroachment.
Where does Leptobrachella palmata live?
Leptobrachella palmata occurs in Malaysia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Leptobrachella palmata?
The main threats to Leptobrachella palmata are 5.3, 9.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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