This species occurs on the islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Peleng, Seram, Buru, Ambon, Obi, Bacan, Batudaka, Togian and Talatakoh and Halmahera in Indonesia, up to 1,200m asl. It might also occur on Salayar, Sangihe and Talaud, but these are not yet confirmed, and so are not mapped here. However, when this complex is resolved, Limnonectes modestus will probably be confined to Bolaang Mongondow and Gorontalo, in northern Sulawesi (the remainder of the complex belonging to undescribed species) (D. Iskandar pers. comm.).
Habitat and Ecology
It is found near small streams and water pits in many habitats from forest to human habitation to mangrove forests. It can tolerate brackish water. It breeds in streams.
It is an abundant species.
There are no known threats to this species.
The taxonomy of this species needs to be resolved. The distribution among the Maluku Islands needs to be documented, and an assessment of the taxonomic status of the island populations needs to be undertaken. It is not known from any protected areas.
This species is part of a complex of several species that have not been described (D. Iskandar pers. comm.).
Djoko Iskandar, Mumpuni, Stephen Richards 2004. Limnonectes modestus. In: IUCN 2014