[1][2] Common names Ruo River screeching frog and France's squeaker have been coined for it.

[2] The specific name francei honours Mr. F. H. France, young forestry officer who perished in trying to cross the Ruo River close to the type locality of this species.

A deep black band edged with lighter above runs from the nostril, above the eye, and down to the forearm base.

Its elevational range is 700–2,500 m (2,300–8,200 ft) above sea level It lives in leaf litter but can also climb trees.

[1] Threats to this species include logging, plantation of pines, spread of small-scale subsistence farming, and use of fire to manage grasslands.