ABTRACT

Due to its unusual banding patterns and unique ecological adaptations, the Banded Bullfrog (Kaloula
Pulchra) is a species of amphibian that stand out in the wide variety of terrestrial habitats. We gathered data in
Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur, to ascertain the species distribution and population. This barangay’s data
indicates that there no records or reports of infestation or complaints pertaining to the species, the K. Pulchra.
Because of their small size and dark coloring blended in with their cryptic microhabitats, this species was
moderately difficult to record during the sampling period. This microhabitat consists of cracks, grassland cover,
drainage and other places with minimal amount of light. Four (4) different species of banded bullfrogs were
collected and observed throughout the study in Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur sampling area, The low
collection of the species may be attributed to its alert behavior in the presence of human activities, as the
observed individuals was quick to flee throughout the study. This was confirmed upon encountering the
species in various microhabitats such as in rocks crevices and grassland cover within grounds of the build-up
areas. Bullfrogs get their name from the fact that their sounds are similar to cow mooing. This is because
males make these sounds to attract a partner while it's raining, and when there's a lot of moisture in the air, the
males start to croak because it's usually the best time for females to lay eggs. Long term monitoring of
populations of banded bullfrogs is strongly advised in order to record seasonal and annual variations and
manage the population. Additional research is necessary to prevent this species from becoming invasive in the
area.

INTRODUCTION

The Banded Bullfrog (Kaloula pulchra) is a fascinating amphibian species that stands out
among the rich tapestry of terrestrial habitats due to its unique ecological adaptations and striking
banding patterns. An important question that emerges as researcher is to examine the complex
dynamics of this species population dispersal throughout its environment. Motivated by a shared
interest in understanding the ecological nuances that influence these amphibians' dispersal patterns,
our study aims to investigate this question.
There are important ecological and environmental consequences to understand the spread of
the Banded Bullfrog population in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur. Understanding how environmental
changes brought about by humans affect essential species like the Banded Bullfrog's range and
abundance is crucial as these changes continue to affect natural environments. By using these
insights to guide conservation measures, biodiversity and the delicate balance of ecosystems can be
preserved. Furthermore, researching the population distribution of the Banded Bullfrog may provide
important insights on the general health of its habitat, as amphibians are frequently used as indicators
of environmental health.
This study is guided by several hypotheses that seek to identify the variables affecting the
Banded Bullfrog's population distribution serve as the foundation for this investigation. The influence
of habitat type, water availability, temperature swings, and human disturbances on the spatial
organization of populations of banded bullfrogs is one of the hypotheses being explored. It is
postulated that specific environmental factors serve as important catalysts, affecting the spread of
bullfrogs over the terrain by influencing their selection of breeding and feeding locations.
This species of frog in the narrow-mouthed frog family Microhylidae. It is also known as the
Asian painted frog, digging frog, Malaysian bullfrog, common Asian frog, and painted balloon frog. In
the pet trade, it is sometimes called the chubby frog. Adults measure 5.4 to 7.5 cm (2.1 to 3.0 in) and
have a dark brown back with stripes that vary from copper-brown to salmon pink.
This species is widespread through much of Southeast Asia, South Asia and China. In
Southeast Asia it occurs from Myanmar, Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia and
Viet Nam, south to Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo Pontianak), Sulawesi
(Makassar, Palu, and Flores) and the islands of Tioman, Phuket, Langkawi and Singapore. It has a
fragmented range in India (known to occur in West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Assam, Mizoram, Madhya
Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Bangladesh. In China it is known from Yunnan,
Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan Provinces, and also Hong Kong and Macau. It has been
introduced to Taiwan, Province of China. It is found from sea level up to 750 m asl. 2017 International
Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
It is an introduced species in the Philippines and is currently known to occur on the following
islands: Boracay, Cebu, Luzon, Marinduque, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan (Quibod & Sy, 2018; Pili et
al., 2019). Its introduction into the Philippines was likely accidental, via contamination of plant nursery
materials or stowaways on ships and boats. This species has been recorded in the island of Luzon in
Metro Manila (Las Piñas, Parañaque, Quezon, Marikina), Laguna Province (Santa Rosa, Calamba),
and Bulacan Province (Ipo Dam, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Angat). This species is expected to be
found many other areas adjacent to these given localities and on other islands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The samples of this study were collected within the vicinity of the Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines
Sur. The sampling was conducted from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on December 2,9,16, 2023. Prior to this,
we asked the Barangay if there were any infestations or complaints about the species. We also asked
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) if there were any secondary data
available regarding K. pulchara. However, both entities confirmed that there were no reported
infestations or records on file. During the sampling period, this species was moderately difficult to
record because of their small size and its dark coloration blended well in their cryptic microhabitats.
These microhabitats include the grassland cover, crevices, drainage, and other places with minimal
amount of light. We recorded 4 individuals. The banded bullfrog, K pulchara, is a frog from the
microhylidae family. This species thrives in disturbed habitats including flooded grasslands, roadside
puddles and hidden areas like burrows, holes, or crevices in trees and building (Diemos et al. 2006).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

During the entire sampling of areas in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur, we collected and observed 4
individuals’ species of banded bullfrog. The kind of ecosystem the study area might explain the low
species richness of banded bullfrog. The barangay is within a heavily disturbed area surrounded by
agricultural areas, human communities, and built-up structures, which limits the existence of the
species. Such low collection might be attributed to its alert behavior in the presence of human
activities in which an observed individual was quick to escape during the entire sampling. It is
significant increase observed K. pulchara in nighttime (Berry 1964) and high activity in periods of
heavy rainfall (Diesmos et. Al 2006). Another factor was the specific habitat type of K. pulchara
wherein the species thrive in hardly detected areas such as holes and crevices (Diesmos et al 2006)
affecting the observed small number individuals in the study. This was confirmed upon encountering
these species in different microhabitats like in rock crevices and grassland within grounds of the built-
up areas.

Site 1, Zone 2, Curry

Site 2, Zone 4, Curry

 Figure 1. Map of Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur showing site 1(Zone 2) and site 2(Zone 4)

Table 1. Population distribution of Banded Bullfrog in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur

Species Family Common Name Zone 2 Zone 4

Kaloula pulchara Microhylidae Banded bullfrog;
Brown bullfrog;
2 2
Asian painted frog

Figure 2A. Adult banded bullfrog in the drainage Figure 2B. Adult banded bullfrog swam in the
in Zone 2, Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur pond in Zone 2, Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur

Figure 2C. Adult banded bullfrog found inside Figure 2D. Adult banded bullfrog found in
the house at Zone 4, Bongcao, Curry, Pili.CS grassland, Zone 4, Bongcao, Curry, Pili, CS
CONCLUSIONS
Their name, bullfrog, comes from the fact that their sounds resemble cow mooing. And that's
the sound of males attempting to attract a partner, which explains why you hear them more during the
rain. Wherever there is a lot of moisture in the air, the males begin to croak because rain creates a lot
of puddles of fresh water, which is typically the ideal period for females to lay eggs. Hundreds of
tadpoles are produced by the banded bullfrog. Thus, tadpoles develop into adult frogs during a period
of 3 to 4 months. Although female bullfrogs can lay up to 20,000 eggs, only around 2% of those eggs
will develop into tadpoles, according to the survival rate of frog eggs and tadpoles less than 1% of all
these tadpoles will eventually mature into adult frogs since they are being eaten and are in
competition with one another for food (Littleredjungle 2022).
This species consumes preys according to their range of body sizes (Anderson et al. 1999).
The smaller K. pulchara has relatively short jaw and has significantly shorter feeding cycle which
feeds on slow and small preys like ants, flies, crickets, moths, grasshoppers, earthworms and more
(Kuangyang et. Al 2004). Moreover, the preferred diet of this species revealed in competition with the
recorded diet of native species (Almeria et al.2013; Ates et al. 2007; Yap 2015) indicating a potential
threat to native fauna in degraded landscapes.
Plant material and presence of other inorganic matter were all occasional food items in this
species. This herbivory behavior was also rampant on other studies (e.g. Ates et al 2007; Isaacs and
Hoyos 2010; Almeria et al. 2013; Ynot et al 2017) as well. Given the frogs are natural herbivores only
at the larval stage and becomes carnivores after metamorphosis (Wells 2007), it appears that
ingestion of plants was most probably taken accidentally with other preferred prey or food.
A study in the University of the Philippines Mindanao campus indicated that banded bullfrog
(Kaloula pulchara) is one of the invasive species on the campus, outcompeting native frogs’ species
and preying on local wildlife, mostly insects but also vertebrates such as the skink (Jabon et al.2019).
However, the study area showed less population of banded bullfrog can be attributed to a variety of
factors; to its alert behavior in the presence of human activities, presence during nighttime, high
activity in periods of heavy rainfall, and small size and its dark coloration blended well in their cryptic
microhabitats.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The study highly recommends conduct long-term monitoring of banded bullfrog populations to
capture seasonal and annual variations. And conduct more study about these species to prevent the
species becoming invasive in the area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the LGU Curry for allowing us to conduct this
study and to our Professor, Dr. Girlie Jaucian, for providing the opportunity to conduct this study, to
my family that give us support and motivation to finish this study.
And to our beloved God that use the people who help us in the time we will having a hard time.