Two Species Oftaring Frogs Found In Kalimantan

Researchers show two new species of frogted with findings in the Meratus Mountains area, in the Provinces of South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's biodiversity has increased again. Recently, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) found two new species of frogring in the provinces of South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan) in the Meratus Mountains area.

Head of the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (Brida) of South Kalimantan Province, Taufik Hidayat, confirmed in Banjarmasin, said that his party had received reports of the discovery of the two new species, with the official names Limnonectes Maanyanorum sp.nov. and Limnonectes Nusantara sp.nov.

Taufik said the Limnonectes species Maanyanorum sp.nov. was found on Mount Karasik, Central Kalimantan, given that name in honor of the Dayak Maanyan community.

Meanwhile, the Limnonectes Nusantara species sp.nov. found on the border of Hulu Sungai Selatan (Loksado District) and Banjar ( Paramasan District), was given the name in honor of the Dayak Meratus community.

"Researchers from BRIN and universities from Japan conducted research in the Meratus Mountains, we were given a report regarding the discovery of these two new species of serial frog," Taufik said, as quoted by ANTARA.

According to him, the discovery of the new biological species proves that the Meratus Mountains is a valuable legacy that stores a million natural resources, as well as strengthens the Meratus Mountains which is part of the Geopark Meratus which UNESCO has now recognized as a world heritage after being designated as a Global Geopark in France in June 2025.

Taufik said there are still many possibilities new species that have never existed in Indonesia even in the world that actually exist in the Meratus Mountains area. Therefore, strategic research steps are needed as have just been taken by BRIN.

Regarding the discovery of the new species, he said that it would be an advantage for South Kalimantan to be increasingly recognized by the world because it has unlimited natural resources, especially since the Meratus Geopark has been recognized by UNESCO.

"Research in the Meratus Mountains does have its own challenges. In the future, it is hoped that there will be cooperation with BRIN regarding research like this, we must bring up the potential that exists," said Taufik.

Previously, researchers from BRIN and universities from Japan conducted research in the Meratus Mountains, where the region stretched widely from South Kalimantan to the border of Central Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.

The research was led by Professor of Research for Herpetology at the Center for Biosystematics Research and Evolution of BRINAmir Hamidy.

Amir said this discovery was an important contribution in efforts to document the diversity of Kalimantan herpetofauna, as well as affirm the important role of the Meratus Mountains region in the conservation of endemic species.

Especially at this time, he said, habitat damage to exploitation of types, climate change, and the emergence of disease are the biggest threats to Kalimantan's endemic amphibious survival.

After a DNA check, BRIN stated that the frog was not an ordinary type of frog because it was different from the frog in general, and could only be found in Indonesia.