Rana chalconota, the Sundaland forest frog, also known variously as the white-lipped frog, copper-cheeked frog Schlegel's Frog, and brown stream frog, is a common true frog found widely in Southeast Asia.Originally described from Java, it was subsequently described from a wider range to include Thailand through Java, Borneo and Sumatra.Wogan et al. (2008) recently extended its range to include Myanmar.However, it is becoming increasingly clear through detailed morphological and molecular studies that the original R. chalconota species concept actually represents a complex of cryptic species (Inger et al. 2009; Stuart et al. 2006). Inger et al. (2009) estimates this complex consists of at least seven different species, including the very similar and frequently confused R. raniceps and R. labialis, and four others they describe as new species.The IUCN restricts the location of R. chalconota to southern Sumatra, Java and Bali (Indonesia) in its species analysis (van Dijk et al. 2009) and suggests that frogs outside of this range are distinct species.
Rana chalconota is a slender, small to moderate-sized species (adults 30–60 mm snout–vent length). It is generally green on top and white or cream-colored below with a distinctively light-colored upper lip. Its large tympanum is brown. The frogs have extensive webbing on their digits, and the tips of the digits are enlarged and have circummarginal grooves (Inger et al. 2009).
Rana chalconota lives in vegetation along slow-moving streams and swamps in closed canopied lowland forests.It occurs in both pristine and degraded forest.A noctural frog, it can be found at nearly any time of year in low numbers, and large numbers during breeding (year round).Frogs breed on the sides of streams, temporary pools, and even paddy fields in some places.Females lay clutches up to about 2200 eggs (van Dijk et al. 2009).