Platymantis insulatos or Gigantes Limestone Frog is a species of small-medium frogs discovered to have adapted the limestone cave environment of Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo, Philippines where it is only found. Platymantis insulatos is known by many names: South Gigantes Island Frog, Gigantes Forest Frog and island forest rog to name a few. It’s specific name “insulatos” is a latin word that means “isolated”.
Adult male measures 38-42 mm while adult female measures 40-45 mm al snout-to-vent length. Their heads are characterized by narrow with a round pointed snout protruding upper jaw and large tympana. Its fingers and toes are long and slender without a webbing but possessing dilated tips. Their body color is generally grayish olive to brown, mottled with large irregular brown or dark spots.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Arvin C. Diesmos)
This species is listed as Critically Endangered under the DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, “Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Flora and Fauna and their categories” since there is no sufficient information regarding its biology, population and extent of its distribution.