Barbourula kalimantanensis is the sole representative of the family Bombinatoridae on the island of Borneo. The species was described only in 1978 by Alexander; and until recently was known from only two specimens. A second species, B. busuangensis, is known from the Palawan group of islands of the Philippines.
The rare images of a living specimens on this web page were kindly Donated and are © by Dr. Tan Heok Hui of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Singapore. These were taken on a recent scientific expedition to Borneo.
Barbourula kalimantanensis is strange-looking: it belongs to an archaic family of frogs with many primitive character states in their anatomy, but on the other hand, shows extensive adaptations for an aquatic mode of life in streams.
The reproductive mode and most aspects of its ecology and physiology REMAIN unknown. It is reported to be the only frog species in the world that lacks lungs.
Size of adults: approx. 70 mm
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