New Tree Frog Species Identified in Sulawesi by BRIN Scientists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team of researchers from the Center for Biosystematics and Evolution Research at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has identified a new species of tree frog from the genus Rhacophorus, discovered in two separate locations on the island of Sulawesi: Mount Katopasa and Mount Gandang Dewata.

The discovery adds to the list of Sulawesi’s endemic fauna, particularly amphibians, and highlights the need to protect biodiversity in the Wallacea region.

The species has been named Rhacophorus boeadii, in honor of the late Boeadi, a naturalist and scientist from the Zoological Museum Bogoriense (MZB), who made significant contributions to zoology and herpetofauna conservation in Indonesia.

BRIN herpetologist Amir Hamidy explained that Rhacophorus boeadii sp. nov. can be distinguished from the three other Rhacophorus species in Sulawesi—R. edentulus, R. georgii, and R. monticola—by its unique morphological features.

"This frog is medium-sized, with the male body length measuring about 40–45 millimeters and the female 48-54 millimeters. Other distinctive features include the male's slanted snout, rough dorsal skin with white spots, and a pattern of white spots on the sides of the body," said Amir in a written statement on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

He said the discovery was the result of intensive surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 in Mount Katopasa (Central Sulawesi) and Mount Gandang Dewata (West Sulawesi). Morphological, genetic, and acoustic analyses confirmed that the frog represents a previously undocumented species.

"We are very excited about this discovery because it further expands our knowledge of the unique biodiversity of Sulawesi. However, we are also concerned because its habitat, which is specialized in highland forests, is highly vulnerable to threats of habitat destruction and climate change," expressed Amir.

As part of the Wallacea region, Sulawesi is known as a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism, especially among amphibians. However, increasing pressure on natural habitats poses a significant threat to the survival of these endemic species.

The research has been published in the international scientific journal Zootaxa (5569 (2): 201-230), contributing valuable insight to the taxonomy and conservation of Indonesia’s biodiversity.

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