Hong Kong Cascade Frog (Amolops hongkongensis) is a species of true frog

True frog

The true frogs, family Ranidae, have the widest distribution of any frog family. They are abundant throughout most of the world, occurring on most continents except Antarctica...

 once thought to be endemic to Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

. Their eggs are laid on rock faces in the splash zones of cascades. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170..

Distribution

The populations are now also known in mainland China including Fujian and Guangdong; at least one population is found in Neilingdinghu Nature Reserve. In Hong Kong, the species is found in the New Territories and on Hong Kong Island. It was found in the tiny little streams in Lung Fu Shan

Physical descriptions

The diameter of A. hongkongensis's suction discs is 3-4 times the width of the fingers. It contains the tarsal fold and has white velvety nuptial pad

Nuptial pad

A nuptial pad is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders. Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland appears as a spiked epithelial swelling on the forearm and prepollex that aids with grip, used primarily by males to grasp females during amplexus...

s on the first fingers.