A Report on the Largest Population of a Critically Endangered Treefrog, Dryophytes suweonensis, in Republic of Korea

Abstract

On 26 June 2019, a large number of Suweon treefrogs, Dryophytes suweonensis, was found in a rice paddy located in Gimpo-si, South Korea. A total of 31 adults of D. suweonensis were found, breeding in a single rice paddy. No other Suweon treefrog was found within a radius of approximately 1 km from the rice paddy. The number of Suweon treefrogs recorded was much higher than in any other rice paddy. However, the reason for the large number of Suweon treefrogs gathering in only one rice paddy is unclear. Further studies on the areas where Suweon treefrogs have been found, and protection of the areas and the endangered species is recommended.