This flying frog is about 90-100 mm in total length, with distinct large eyes. The tympanum is prominent, at 1/2 to 2/3 of the eye diameter. Snout is rounded and is not projected outward. Head is as broad as it is long, sometimes slightly broader. Finger tips are expanded into large, oval discs with third finger wider than tympanum (Berry 1975). Hands and feet are fully webbed. Toes discs are smaller than finger discs. There is an oval inner metatarsal tubercle present while the outer metatarsal tubercle is absent. No supratympanic fold is present (Berry 1975).
Skin is smooth or finely granulated above, coarsely granulated below except smooth on the throat. A broad flap of skin on outer edge of forearm and tarsus, and another is at the heel and above the vent. A narrow flap on the inner edge of the arm is present (Berry 1975).
Body color is shiny green with minute white markings and a couple large white patches on the thighs. The flanks, the inside of the thighs,and the undersurfaces of the body are yellow. The interdigital membranes are jet black at the base. These membranes are yellow and veined with black towards the border. The upper surfaces of toes on to four are yellow. Ventral surface of the head and body is whitish (Berry 1975).
 
For photos of Rhacophorus nigropalmatus adults and another species account, see www.frogsofborneo.org.

This species is known from mainland Southeast Asia with certainty from the Thai-Malay Peninsula from Ranong south to Endau-Rompin (Taylor, 1962 and Berry, 1975), from Borneo from eastern Sabah south to southeastern Kalimantan and west to central Sarawak, and also from Sumatra, in Indonesia. It probably occurs more widely than current records suggest, especially in areas between known sites. It occurs up to 600m asl.

Malaysia and Borneo

Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )

Habitat ranges from trees, bushes, palms, etc. in primary rain forests and logged rain forests. Can be found at elevations ranging from 700 to 1800 feet (Berry 1975).

Wallace's flying frog is a relatively small organism (15 - 20 mm) that possesses a distinct large eye. A tympanum membrane is located posterior to the eye. This anatomical feature serves as an eardrum to Rhacophorids as well as to other species of Anurans (Cogger and Zweifel, 1998). The color of the body is a shiny green with lighter yellow on the lateral sides as well as on the toe pads and snout. Wallace's flying frog is an arboreal amphibian that has a terminal segment of each finger and toe which is expanded into specialized toepads that allow these treefrogs to adhere to vertical surfaces. In addition to toepads flying frogs have huge, fully webbed hands and feet, also skin along the side of the body. These provide an increase in surface area so that when the limbs, fingers and toes are extended apart they allow the frogs to glide from high perches (Pakcenter 1999). The hindlimbs are relatively larger then the forelimbs and provide thrust upon jumping.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater

Wallace's flying frog inhabits tropical moist forests.

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest

The flying frog has a diet that consists of insects, and other small invertebrates (Wallace's 1999).

Before mating, the female produces a fluid that she beats into a foam with her hind legs. She then lays her eggs in this bubble nest, at the same time the male fertilizes the eggs with his sperm. The egg nest is then hung over a source of water. When the embryos inside the eggs have developed into tadpoles, the nest falls apart. The young fall into the water and begin life as tadpoles. It is important that the tadpoles don't drop onto dry surface, if so the tadpoles will simply dry out and die (Pakcenter 1999).

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Reproduction: Female produces fluid and converts it into a foam nest by the beating action of her hind legs. She then lays her eggs into the foam nest and at that time the male fertilizes these eggs. The nest is made on branches or leaves above the water. When the embryos inside the eggs have developed into tadpoles, the nest deteriorates and the larvae drop into the water. Larvae live in the water until metamorphosis is completed (Richter & Jacob 1988).

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Status Unknown

Status Unknown