AmphibiaChina 中国两栖类.

Description
Rana plancyi is a large sized frog (85 mm SVL for females and 50 mm SVL for males). It has a pointed snout in lateral view. The tympanum is distinct. Paired dorsolateral glandular folds are wide and distinct (Lue 1990).

The dorsum and sides are grassy green with thick golden brown stripes on the dorsum running from snout to vent. Ventrally, Rana plancyi is white (Lue 1990).

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: China

	View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.
	View Bd and Bsal data (7 records).

This species is present in Taiwan (primarily the mid-northern regions) and the eastern provinces of China, including Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and possibly Jiangxi. It is uncertain whether this species is present in Korea (Pipeng and Changyuan 2008). Rana plancyi is more commonly found in plains and hills at lower elevation, closer to sea level (Lue 1990), but does occur up to 1,200 m asl (Pipeng and Changyuan 2008). It is found in ponds (particularly lotus ponds), paddy fields, and ditches (Pipeng and Changyuan 2008).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors

R. plancyi can be easily observed both at night and during the day. It leaps into the water when approached by potential predators (Lue 1990). Breeding is in still water (Pipeng and Changyuan 2008).

When viewed dorsally, Rana plancyi generally assumes a triangular position with its legs as the base (Lue 1990).

Trends and Threats
Although this species is common, it is declining. Water pollution and urbanization, along with consumption and trade in China are thought to be causing the decline. It does occur within a number of protected areas (Pipeng and Changyuan 2008).

Relation to Humans
In 2007, a case study was reported where a 70 year old man was thought to have contracted eosinophilic meningitis from ingesting a raw Rana plancyi frog infected with rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis). However, more research is needed to confirm that the parasite is actually contracted through ingestion and not just through direct contact (Lai et al. 2007).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

Urbanization
Predators (natural or introduced)

References

Lai, C.-H., Yen, C.-M., Chin, C., Chung, H.-C., Kuo, H.-C., and Lin, H.-H. (2007). ''Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis after ingestion of raw frogs.'' The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 76(2), 399-402.

Lue, K.-Y. (1990). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Taiwan. The Council of Agriculture, Taiwan. R.O.C.

Pipeng, L., and Changyuan, Y. (2004). Pelophylax plancyi. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2009.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2009 Pelophylax plancyi <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/5128> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 19, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 19 Nov 2024.

AmphibiaWeb's policy on data use.