SEAVR 2018: 082‐083
ISSN: 2424‐8525
Date of publication: 19 November 2018
Hosted online by ecologyasia.com

Maren’s Bronzeback Dendrelaphis marenae predation on Common Tree Frog
Polypedates leucomystax on Bicol peninsula, Philippines
Cyrus Job P. DELA CRUZ & Justine Anne B. PRADIL
cyrusjob.delacruz@bicol‐u.edu.phObserver: Justin Anne B. Pradil.
Photograph by: Justin Anne B. Pradil.
Subjects identified by: Emerson Y. Sy (Dendrelaphis marenae), Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz (Polypedates leucomystax).
Location: Sta. Monica Subdivision, Taysan, Legazpi city, Province of Albay, Bicol peninsula, Philippines(N 13.106833 E 123.745262).
Elevation: 60 metres.
Habitat: Low density housing area with surrounding grassland and clumps of banana trees.
Date and time: 26 August 2018, 09:00 hrs.
Identity of subject:(i) Maren’s Bronzeback, Dendrelaphis marenae (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae).
(ii) Common Tree Frog, Polypedates leucomystax (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae).
Description of record: : On the morning of 26 August 2018 an adult Maren’s Bronzeback was observed consuming
a Common Tree Frog on the trunk of a banana tree. The snake gradually swallowed the frog’s head until it was fully
engulfed, after which the snake dragged the frog through the undergrowth.

© Justin Anne B. PradilFig. 1.

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Remarks: Dendrelaphis marenae was identified by (i) a broad post‐ocular stripe that starts on the post‐nasal area,
covers the majority of the temporal region and extends onto the neck and (ii) the presence of a row of enlarged
vertebral scales forming a light ventrolateral stripe (Vogel and van Rooijen, 2008).
Polypedates leucomystax is a non‐endemic widespread rhacophorid in the Philippines (Diesmos et al, 2015)
commonly found on disturbed areas around pools of water (Mcleod et al, 2011). Polypedates leucomystax was
identified by (i) long, slender limbs with expanded flattened tips on its fingers and toes, (ii) light coloured with nostripes dorsally and (iii) head is wider across temporal region (Feng, 1991).
The dietary preferences of Dendrelaphis species are mainly lizards and amphibians (Mcleary & Ichtiarani, 2015,
Leong et al, 2009, Wells, 2005). This observation suggests the first formal documentation of Dendrelaphis marenaepredation on Polypedates leucomystax.
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