Kinabalu sticky frog, Kalophrynus baluensis Kiew, 1984 – of Sabah / Borneo

Kalophrynus baluensis Kiew 1984 is a microhylid frog endemic to the upper slopes of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah Borneo where it inhabits primary montane forest between roughly 1400 and 1800 meters above sea level. It is a stocky short legged leaf litter species with brown coloration that provides effective camouflage; females reach about 39 millimeters in snout vent length and males are slightly smaller. Calling males emit a single high pitched whistle with long pauses and when threatened the frog can release abundant sticky white slime. Reproduction likely involves phytotelmata as amplectant pairs and eggs have been observed in water held by tree buttresses. The species belongs to Kalophrynus, the sole genus of the subfamily Kalophryninae which comprises the so called sticky frogs. The type locality is Kamborangoh on Mount Kinabalu and the specific epithet baluensis is a Latinized place name formed with the suffix ensis that denotes origin and refers to Mount Kinabalu. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and no major threats are identified, although its range is very small and confined to high elevation forest on a single mountain.