title: Description of the tadpoles of three rare species of megophryid frogs (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Gunung Mulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
abstract: The megophryid frogs Leptobrachella brevicrus, Leptolalax dringi and Megophrys dringi are species exclusively known  from highly localised areas in isolated mountain ranges on Borneo. The tadpoles and adults in this study were collected at the shared type locality for the three species in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo). The species identities of larvae were determined via comparison to syntopic adults using DNA barcoding techniques based on partial 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequences. The genetic data supported the status of the three taxa as valid species. Descriptions of colouration in life and after preservation, external morphological features, morphometric measurements and ecological notes in comparison to congeneric species are supplied. The tadpoles of L. brevicrus and L. dringi show similar adaptations to a fossorial lifestyle. These include an elongated, vermiform body, a relatively long tail and small eyes. Both were found in the gravel beds of a small mountain stream. In contrast, the larvae of M. dringi are adapted to occupying and feeding at the surface of pools within the stream.
authors: University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern.; Email: evelyne.o@gmx.ch.
authors: Evelyne
authors: E
authors: Oberhummer
authors: Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bernastrasse 15, CH-3005 Bern, Switzerland.; Email: catherin.barten@students.unibe.ch.
authors: Catherin
authors: C
authors: Barten
authors: Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bernastrasse 15, CH-3005 Bern, Switzerland.; Email: manuel.schweizer@nmbe.ch.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Schweizer
authors: Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.; Email: idas@ibec.unimas.my.
authors: Indraneil
authors: I
authors: Das
authors: Biozentrum Grindel und Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.; Email: alexander.haas@uni-hamburg.de.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Haas
authors: Stefan T
authors: ST
authors: Hertwig
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009929:Organ Size; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S