It is endemic to New Guinea and is known from its type locality, the eastern slopes of the Wondiwoi Mountains, from the Fakfak Mountains (both in West Papua, Indonesia), and from the Bewani and Torricelli Mountainss in the West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.

[2][3] Rainer Günther named the species after his son Volker and daughter-in-law Jane.

It is morphologically similar to Papurana aurata but has distinctive small glandular ridges across dorsal surface of thighs, as well as a solid white longitudinal stripe, surrounded by a blackish area, on the posterior thigh.

The species shows strong sexual dimorphism in colour, at least among individuals in mating condition.

[3] Adults can be found perched on the leaves in low vegetation, 0.5–2 m (2–7 ft) above the ground.