Frog_leg_13_Dec2007

frog leg

Newsletter of the Amphibian Network of South Asia and Amphibian Specialist Group - South Asia No. 13, December 2007 Eggs, hatching and larval development in Ichthyophis cf.

malabarensis (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae)

Bapurao V. Jadhav1,*, D.D. Thorat1, S.D. Kadam1, L.S. Bhingardeve1 and S.S. Patil2 1

Department of zoology, Balasaheb Desai College, Patan, Satara 415206, India

Department of zoology, Krishna Mahavidyalaya, Retare Bk., Satara 415108, India Email: * bapuraojadhav@yahoo.co.in

2

Biology of Western Ghats caecilians is a less explored subject with very rare studies on reproductive behaviour. We describe egg laying, hatching and early development of Ichthyophis cf. malabarensis from Koyana region in

northern Western Ghats where a single female with 144 eggs were observed

in captivity. As per our knowledge this is the first complete description of initial developmental in caecilians of Western Ghats.

Studies on reproductive biology and reproductive behaviour of cae-

cilians are rare with very few studies from the Western Ghats (Sheshachar, 1933, 1942, 1982; Balakrishna et al., 1983). Ichthyophis of family Ichthyo-

phiidae and order Gymnophiona is oviparous with internal fertilization

(Sheshachar, 1942, 1982; Balakrishna et al., 1983; Pillai & Ravichandran,

1999). Females lay eggs in burrows in moist soil close to water. Female Ichthyophis show parental care by guarding eggs until hatching. Earlier studies on Gegenophis carnosus are restricted to egg and embryo morphology (Sheshachar, 1942). Similar studies have been carried out on I. malabarensis (Sheshachar, 1982; Balakrishna et al., 1983). As per our knowledge this is the first attempt to describe egg, hatching and larval development of I. cf. malabarensis from Patan situated in Koyana region of northern Western Ghats.

Koyana region (17023’N & 73053’E) is situated at an altitude 580m on the eastern border of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. The soil of this region is red loamy, porous and is rich in humus, the pH is 6.2. Average temperature and rainfall of this region are 230C and 1240mm. Vegetation is mainly of paddy, sugarcane and groundnut fields.

A female Ichthyophis cf. malabarensis with 144-egg cluster was

collected from a burrow near a rivulet in wet soil. The egg cluster along with the adult was brought to the laboratory and was kept in an artificial tank of 88.2 x 58.5 x 58.5cm. The bottom bed of decomposed leaves, agricultural wastes and sand was prepared and was placed in the tank. The height of soil bed was 35cm. In this bed a round pit was made, resembling the pit present in natural conditions, with the diameter of 17.5cm and depth of 12.5cm to keep the egg cluster. In this pit the female and her egg clutch was released.

Water was sprinkled on the bed every 3-4days.

The female was fed with

earthworms released in the bottom bed. Daily observations on the behaviour of female were noted.

The newly hatched larvae were kept in a 3-4cm-deep plastic tub

containing water. Food in the form of finely chopped liver, heart and meat of goat were provided once a day and the water of the tub was changed after

1

In this issue - - Eggs, hatching and larval development in Ichthyophis cf. malabarensis (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) Bapurao V. Jadhav, D.D. Thorat, S.D. Kadam, L.S. Bhingardeve & S.S. Patil, Pp. 1-3.

- - Diversity and distribution of amphibian fauna in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh C. Srinivasulu, Manju Siliwal, A. Rajesh, Bhargavi Srinivasulu, P. Venkateshwarulu & V. Nagulu, Pp. 3-6.

- - The comments on record and farther distribution of the Ornate Microhylid Microhyla ornata from Gujarat Raju Vyas, P. 6.

- - Status and morphometric data of some anurans with reference to Agra district, Uttar Pradesh Ravi Kumar Singh & Sant Prakash, Pp. 7-8.

- - Record of Sylvirana leptoglossa (Cope, 1868) (Anura: Ranidae) from Kolasib district, Mizoram, northeastern India H.T. Lalremsanga, Saipari Sailo, B. Kharbuli & R.N.K. Hooroo, Pp. 9-10.

- - Basking in Indian Pond Frogs Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Lesson) at Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh, India V. Kannan, P. 10 - - One eye frog, Sphaerotheca rufescens (Jerdon, 1854) from Konaje, Mangalore, Karnataka Vijay Mala Nair & Santhosh Kumar, Pp. 10-11.

- - Need of anuran studies in habitats of southern Rajasthan, India K.K. Sharma1 and Satya P. Mehra, Pp. 12-16.

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

every two days for up to a

round and prominent.

month.

The

Photographic and live

embryonic larva had three pairs

video recordings of the entire

of external gills; each external

event were made.

gill having median axis sur-

We

observed

144

eggs in the cluster, which is

rounded

by

lamellae.

The

lengths of the three gills were

around 1.5 times more than

8mm, 17.2mm and 10.3mm.

the suspected maximum num-

The ventral side of the larva

ber of eggs in Gymnophiona by

Seshachar (1982).

Eggs in a

yolk.

together by median cord and

veloping stage.

covered with transparent, elastic and gelatinous membrane, which

was

continuous

et

Balakrishna

al .

(1983) mentioned that the em-

bryo of I. malabarensis did not show any movement.

On the

with

contrary, we observed rapid

cords at both ends (Fig 1B).

movement of embryos in the

The length of each cord was

eggs with irregular jerks. The

13mm.

Both

were

female was found to be coiled

straight,

thin,

un-

around the eggs (Fig. 3) in the

twisted and elastic and their

pit until the hatching of the last

hooks for firm attachment to

well-known

median cord during the early

caecilians

stage (Fig.1C). After embryonic

chandran, 1999; Daniel, 2002).

cords hollow,

tips coiled together to from

egg.

This parental care is a phenomenon (Pillai

&

Ravi-

median

the night from 0930 to 1130hr

cord due to increase in size of

and in three successive stages.

the eggs, while the other side

In the first stage, rapid jerky

dian

eggs

the egg, which was followed by

hatched (Fig. 1C). This obser-

emergence of head from the

vation was inconsistent from

egg (Fig. 4A). Stretching of the

the earlier observation by Se-

body could have facilitated the

shachar (1982) who mentioned

break in the membrane. After

a straight chain of eggs con-

the emergence of the head, we

nected end to end by cords

observed a gap of a few sec-

detached

from

remained attached to the mecord

until

the

(Fig. 1D) in I. malabarensis.

The eggs were oval in shape

movements were observed in

movements.

and average size of 14.2

-

the body emerged from the

Details of the eggs

egg (Fig. 4B), followed by an-

are given in Table 1. The de-

other pause. In the third stage

veloping

external

the tail portion came out and

gills, yolk and amniotic fluid

the newly emerged larva coiled

could be seen through the thin

around itself (Fig. 4C). The

eggs.

larva

with

transparent membrane of the A prematurely hatched

larva is shown in Fig. 2.

The

3min.

was

approximately

C

Figure 4. Three stages in the hatching of the larva from the egg.

Refer to the text for details of each stage.

2-

black in colour and 75.2mm in length. The eyes were promi-

elongated, black in colour with

nent and round, mouth was

white strip on the ventral side

sub-terminal

and about 65mm in length and

caudal fin, was laterally com-

weighed 584mg.

pressed.

lateral side of head and were

B

Just hatched larva was

handling within 30min. It was

The eyes

A

average hatching time for each

early-hatched larva died while

were situated on the dorso-

Figure 2. Early hatched larva with yolk and external gills

In the second

stage more than two-third of

larva

Figure 3. Parental care in I. cf. malabarensis.

onds when the larva showed no

with average weight of 750mg 13.2mm.

Figure 1. Egg clutch (A), a single egg (B) and structure of attachment by cord (C) of I. cf. malabarensis. (D) shows the attachment in I. malabarensis as per Seshachar (1982)

in

Hatching took place in

development, one end of cord was

B

Tail was laterally com-

pressed with caudal fin in de-

grapes (Fig.1A). Each egg was

A

showed faint white coloured

single clutch were connected the cluster looked like black

2007 December

and

tail,

with

The caudal fin had

broad dorsal and short ventral

Figure 5. Physical mouth-to-mouth contact between larvae before entry into the water.

lobes. The vent was situated at

2

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

Table 1. Details of egg clutch and eggs of Ichthyophis cf. malabarensis Values

12 days before

hatching

of hatching

1

Weight of single egg

843mg

620mg

2

Weight of total egg mass

121392mg

89280mg

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Length of one cord

Gun-

We are grateful to Dr. Mark

Wilkinson and Dr. David Gower,

embryo of Ichthyophis mala-

London; Dr. Anil Mahabal, Dr.

40.1mm

35.6mm

barensis (Taylor) (Apoda: Amphibia), Current Science 52:

38.2mm

14.2mm

13.2mm

10 Width of egg opposite to cord

12.5mm

10.6mm

the junction of body and tail

the body (Pillai & Ravichandran,

and was longitudinal with white

1999), however, we think it

rings surrounding it. The larva

could be erroneous as we could

had three pairs of external gills

clearly observe the shedding

at the junction of collar and trunk. The lengths of the three

990- 991.

Seshachar,

B.R.

(1942).

Satish Kamble and Dr. Yadav, Zoological

Survey

of

Pune,

Shri.

Varad

and

India, Giri,

Bombay Natural History Soci-

The

ety, Mumbai, for valuable guid-

phis carnosus (Beddome). Current Science 11: 439-441.

lesh Dahanukar and Rupesh

eggs and embryos of Gegeno-

ance. Dr. Sanjay Kharat, NeeRaut helped during manuscript

Pillai, R.S. & M.S. Ravichandran

preparation. Dr. C.B. Salunke

off of the gills during larval

(1999).

Gymnophiona

helped in photography. We are

development.

(Amphibia) of India; A taxo-

also thankful to all our col-

gills were 10.5mm, 24.3mm and 13.4 mm.

K.R.

Acknowledgements:

The Natural History Museum,

4896mg

Width of egg at cord

Current

Observation on the eggs and

34mg

44.1mm

T.A.,

bai.

(Taylor)

1853mm

-

Diameter of egg opposite to cord

Balakrishna

Oxford University Press, Mum-

dappa & K. Shakuntala (1983).

Weight of total egg coat

-

malabarensis

Science 51: 32-34.

13mm

1853mm

Diameter of egg at cord

and reproduction in Ichthyo-

phis

(Apoda- Amphibia).

Length of total cord of egg clutch.

Weight of single egg coat

unique feature of egg laying

On the day

13mm

2007 December

nomic study. Record of Zoo-

In the free floating

logical Survey of India 172: 1–

leagues and our students for

The gills were

stage, the larvae lived in hiding

dark red in colour up to the

places such as stones, bricks

117.

Shalgaonkar, Principal, Balasa-

became very sluggish in loco-

amphibians and reptiles. Bom-

providing infrastructure facili-

first four hours and turned to pale yellow after four hours.

After emergence, the

larvae

came

water at a very slow rate.

stayed

coiled

together

and

around

each

captivity, the larva took 15-

other, like a bundle, in shadow

20min to travel 10cm towards

places or under crevices. Lar-

water. Before entry of the lar-

vae were frequently observed

vae in water an interesting behaviour was observed. the

larva

touched

When

water

signals from the larvae already present in the water.

Then

Ichthyophis

consumed young larvae as well

as eggs. The female consumed only the last few eggs after

times) between the larvae pre-

most other eggs were success-

present in the water (Fig. 5).

is contradictory to the parental

The larvae entered the water,

care behaviour; however, we

went to the bottom and re-

hypothesize that the cannibal-

mained stationery for up to

ism of last eggs could be a

2min, followed by undulating

means by which the female

movements.

reduces

fully hatched. This cannibalism

density

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) (15053'16043'N & 78030'E-79028'E) spread over an area of 3,568km2 in five districts (namely, Kurnool, Prakasam, Guntur, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar) of Andhra Pradesh is the largest tiger reserve in India. It lies in the Nallamala range an unbroken chain of steep hill ranges with an elevation ranging from 100m (Krishna valley) up to

dependent

larva bears gills for the first 15

competition

detached after 15 hours and

first time record of such be-

the other gills got detached

haviour among caecilians of the

within the next 20 hours. When

Western Ghats.

hours. The largest gills got

Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad , Andhra Pradesh 500007, India 2 Zoo Outreach Organization/WILD Society, 9-A Lal Bahadur Colony, Gopal Nagar, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641004, India 3 Freshwater Biology Station, Zoological Survey of India, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500020, Inida Email : * hyd2_masawa@gmail.com 1

malabarensis. The adult female

physical contact (two to three

The free floating

Srinivasulu1, P. Venkateshwarulu1 and V. Nagulu1

cf.

there was a mouth-to-mouth

sent on the edge and the larvae

C. Srinivasulu1,*, Manju Siliwal2, A. Rajesh3, Bhargavi

We also recorded canin

among

917m (Durgamkonda in Markapur reserve forest) in the Eastern

success-

Ghats. The river Krishna flows through nearly 130km of the Tiger

fully hatched larvae. This is the

Reserve dividing it into two halves -- the right (or south) bank and the left (or north) bank. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1978 it was upgraded to the status of the Tiger Reserve in 1983.

The Tiger Reserve is also referred to as ‘Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife

the gills were still attached to the larva, the larva remained in

References

water.

Seshachar,

After detachment the

larva came to the surface for respiration.

Previous studies

ties.

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh

10-15min. nibalism

heb Desai College, Patan for

Diversity and distribution of amphibian fauna in

to show vertical coiling up to

it

stopped moving and waited for

bay Natural History Society and

motion. More than five to seven

larva started moving towards In

Daniel, J.C. (2002). Books of

and fallen leaves in the tub and

their help in fieldwork; Dr. H.D.

Sanctuary’ (named so in 1992, a name less frequently used). The B.R.

(1933).

NSTR is a biodiversity-rich region being home to countless num-

The

ber of hitherto unreported species of fauna (Srinivasulu & Nagulu,

germ cells of Ichthyopihis glu-

2002) and flora (Rao, 1998).

tinosus. Current Science 1: 311

have mentioned that the gills

- 312.

of the larvae are absorbed into

Seshachar, B.R. (1982). Some

Through this report we put on record observations of amphibian diversity, made through late 1995 to late 2003 and vouchers collected during a faunistic survey conducted from 3 to

3

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Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

2007 December

Table 1. Amphibian diversity and their distribution in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh Species Bufonidae 1

"Bufo" stomaticus Lütken, 1862

Distribution

Status

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad, Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nandikonda Valley

Guntur district: Nandikonda Valley, Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 2.

Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Common

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda

Guntur district: Nandikonda Valley, Vijayapuri South, Anupu Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 3.

"Bufo" scaber Schneider, 1799

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad, Vatvarlapally,

Common

Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad, Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nandikonda Valley

Guntur district: Nandikonda Valley, Vijayapuri South, Anupu Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

Microhylidae 5.

4.

Kaloula taprobanica (Parker, 1934) Uperodon globulosus (Günther, 1864)

6.

Uperodon systoma (Schneider, 1799)

7.

Microhyla ornata (Duméril and Bibron, 1841)

Kurnool district: Mukhadwaram, Sunnipenta

Mahboobnagar district: Between Mannanur and Farahabad Kurnool district: Between Mukhadwaram and Srisailam

Mahboobnagar district: Between Mannanur and Farahabad

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Shikaram, between

Rare

Rare

Uncommon

Mukhadwaram and Srisailam

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad, Vatvarlapally,

Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad, Ippalapally,

Common

Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Vijayapuri North

Guntur district: Nagarjunakonda Valley, Vijayapuri South

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 8.

Microhyla rubra (Jerdon, 1854 “1853”)

9.

Ramanella variegata (Stoliczka, 1872)

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Naguluty, Bairluty Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad

Kurnool district: Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Pedda

Uncommon

Manthanala, Pecheru, Naramammidi Cheruvu

Kurnool district: Between Potharajupenta and Naguluty

Rare

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Dicroglossidae 10.

Sphaerotheca breviceps (Schneider, 1799)

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda, Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 11.

Sphaerotheca dobsoni (Boulenger, 1882)

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

From places listed above, owing to its character overlap,

specimens could not be discerned with confidence. It could

Uncommon

also be possible that the third species in this complex, namely,

12.

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799)

Sphaerotheca rolandae (Dubois, 1983) may also be present.

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

4

Common

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

2007 December

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda,

Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 13.

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Lesson, 1834)

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda,

Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 14.

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1802)

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda, Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna 15.

Hoplobatrachus crassus (Jerdon, 1854 “1853�)

16.

Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829)

Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda

Common

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area,

Nagarjunakonda, Tiger Valley

Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

Hathakeswaram, Thummalabailu, Rollapenta, Chinna Manthanala, Pedda Manthanala, Pecheru, Bairluty Ranixalidae 17.

Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888)

Rhacophoridae 18.

Polypedates maculatus (Gray, 1834)

Kurnool district: Rollapenta

Rare

Mahboobnagar district: Mannanur, Farahabad,

Common

Vatvarlapally, Egalpenta, Domalpenta, Amrabad,

Ippalapally, Maddimadugu, Umamaheshwaram, Bilakal

Nalgonda district: Nagarjunasagar Dam area, Nagarjunakonda, Guntur district: Vijayapuri South, Anupu

Kurnool district: Sunnipenta, Srisailam, Shikaram,

16 June 2003, their status and

and Daniel and Sekar (1989). A

Andhra Pradesh Forest Depart-

belonging to 11 genera and

distribution in the tiger reserve.

more detailed systematic ac-

ment

four

Amphibians were studied fol-

count of the amphibians of

Freshwater Biological Station,

(following Frost, 2007). Of this

lowing random surveys in all

NSTR is presented elsewhere

Zoological Survey of India, Kol-

diversity 11 species were com-

kata) for documenting faunistic

mon in occurrence while others

These studies have resulted in

tribution.

the habitat types and vouchers

(Srinivasulu et al., in review).

ground and more aquatic spe-

Sarkar et al. (1993) reported

were hand picked while on

Murthy

(1968)

and

and

another

by

the

diversity of the Tiger Reserve.

families

(Table

1)

were rare and restricted in dis-

the occurrence of eight species

findings of hitherto unreported

The known diversity

were preserved following stan-

of

and undocumented species of

of amphibians in NSTR could

dard techniques and deposited

junasagar

amphibians

these

lection at the Freshwater Bio-

documented

logical Station, Zoological Sur-

phibians of the area until re-

al., 2006; Rao et al., 2005; Rao et al., in review).

be far from complete as indi-

in the national zoological col-

specimens were examined and

us (CS) has been documenting

NSTR is represented by 18 spe-

frog categories. Further de-

carefully identified using diag-

the amphibian diversity of the

cies (consisting 3 bufonids, 6

tailed surveys would undoubt-

nostic

Boulenger

Tiger Reserve and recently two

microhylids, 7 dicroglossids, 1

edly lead to addition of more

(1890), Daniel (1963a,b; 1975)

projects were taken up (one by

ranixalid and 1 rhacophorid)

species.

cies

were

netted.

Vouchers

vey of India, Hyderabad.

keys

by

All

amphibians

from

area.

reports

not

about

Nagar-

Excepting much the

is

Reserve

am-

from

the

(Srinivasulu

et

Tiger

Amphibian diversity of

cently. Since late 1995 one of

5

cated by recent discoveries of hitherto

unreported

species

and absence of montane species belonging to tree and bush

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

References

fauna

British India including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia.

Pradesh. Records of the Zoologi-

+ xviii.

Srinivasulu, C., M. Siliwal, A. Ra-

Boulenger, G.A. (1890). Fauna of

Taylor & Francis, London, 541pp

Daniel, J.C. (1963a). Field guide

sailam

of

Nagarjunasagar

Tiger

Reserve,

crohyla ornata from Gujarat

jesh, P. Venkateshwarulu, I.S.R.

globulosus

Daniel, J.C. (1963b). Field guide

dhra Pradesh, India. Hamadryad

Raju Vyas

505 Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002, India Email: razoovyas@hotmail.com

(2006). First record of Uperodon (Günther,

1864)

(Anura: Microhylidae) from An-

Recently a note was pub-

30(1): 197-199.

India. Part 2. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60:

Rao, K.T., H.V. Ghate, M. Sud-

Daniel, J.C. (1975). Field guide to

tected areas - 19: Herpetofauna

690-702.

the Ornate Microhylid Mi-

paper No. 245, 62pp.

bay Natural History Society 60:

to the amphibians of Western

and farther distribution of

cal Survey of India, occasional

Krishna, C.A.N. Rao & K.T. Rao

415-438.

The comments on record

Sri-

Andhra

to the amphibians of Western

India. Part 1. Journal of the Bom-

2007 December

hakar,

S.M.M.

Javed

&

lished on “Record of the Ornate Microhylid

I.S.R.

(Dumeril

Krishna (2005). Fauna of pro-

the amphibians of Western India.

of Nallamalai hills with 11 new

Natural History Society 72: 506-

10

Daniel, J.C. & A.G. Sekar (1989).

1737-1740.

&

Microhyla Bibron)

at

ornate

Timbi

(Vadodara district) and Hathipura

(Anand district) in central Gujarat”

by Suresh et al. (2005). It is quite

Part 3. Journal of the Bombay

records from the region including

524.

Pradesh. Zoos' Print Journal 20(1):

of the species from Gujarat state.

Field guide to the amphibians of

Rao,

distribution of the species from

the Bombay Natural History Society 86: 180-202.

Frost, D.R. (2007). Amphibian species of the world: an online reference: version 5.0 (1 Febru-

vasulu (in review). Occurrence of

Western India. Part 4. Journal of

ary, 2007). New York, NY: Ameri-

can Museum of Natural History.

Electronic Database accessible at http://research.amnh.org/ herpetology/amphibia/ index.php.,

New

York,

USA

(accessed on 13 March 2007).

Murthy, T.S.N. (1968). Notes on the collection of amphibians from Nagarjuna

valley

(Andhra

Pradesh) with one new record.

Journal of Univ. Poona 34: 63-71.

Rao, R.K. (1998). Nallamalai Hills: among world centers of plant diversity, pp. 317-321. In: The

Eastern Ghats: Proc. Nat. Sem. Conservation of Eastern Ghats, March 24-26, 1998. EPTRI, Hyderabad.

Sarkar, A.K., P.K. Chandra & S. Ray (1993). Amphibia, pp. 65-87.

In: Director (ed.) Fauna of Andhra Pradesh, Part 1. (Reptilia, Amphibia, Fishes). Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Srinivasulu, (2002).

C.

&

Mammalian

V. and

Nagulu avian

diversity of the Nallamala Hills,

Andhra Pradesh, India. Zoos' Print

new

records

K.T.,

M.P.

for

interesting to note the distribution

Andhra

Raju,

The authors have not mentioned

S.M.M.

Javed, I.S.R. Krishna & C. Srini-

banica (Amphibia: Microhylidae)

Rao,

K.T.,

M.P.

Raju,

fossorial

species

Microhyla ornate (Dumeril & Bibron) is very widely and commonly dis-

S.M.M.

tributed in India and so is it in Guja-

Javed, I.S.R. Krishna & C. Srinivasulu (in review). First record of

rat. The distribution of the species

temporalis

from

the Bronzed frog Rana (Hylorana)

can be made out by earlier records

(Amphibia: Ranidae) from Andhra

Katchchh (Daniel, 1963); South

Natural History Society.

Shoolpaneswar Wildlife Sanctuary

(Günther,

1864)

thank

Director,

1999); Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary (Vyas, 1999); Hingolgadh

kata; Officer-in-charge, Freshwa-

Nature Education Sanctuary (Vyas,

ter Biology Station, Zoological

2000); Vansda National Park (Vyas,

Survey of India, Hyderabad; and

2004); Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Head, Department of Zoology,

(Vyas, 2004) and Ratanmahal Wild-

Osmania University, Hyderabad

life Sanctuary (Vyas, 2004).

for facilities and encouragement.

Also I have been able to

We thank Chief Wildlife Warden

examine and record a few speci-

for collection permits; Field Di-

mens of this species from the fol-

rector and other staff of Nagar-

lowing protected areas and the

junasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve

localities: Jessor Bear Wildlife Sanc-

for hospitality. CS and BS acindividual

1960);

Wildlife Sanctuary (Singh & Tatu,

Zoological Survey of India, Kol-

knowledge

(Soman,

(Naik & Vinod, 1992); Rampara

Acknowledgements We

Palanpur

Gujarat (Daniel & Shull (1963);

Pradesh. Journal of the Bombay

tuary,

Research

Balaram-Anmbaji

Wildlife

Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife

Associateship grants from CSIR,

Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Wildlife

New Delhi.

Sanctuary, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary,

Journal 17(1): 675-684.

Blackbuck National Park and Purna

Srinivasulu, C., B. Srinivasulu &

Wildlife Sanctuary (author’s unpub-

C.A.N. Rao (2006). Amphibian

lished observations).

6

distribution of the species particulars of the state. To the best of my

knowledge and according to the published literatures, it shows that the species is commonly and widely distributed in the entire state and in most or all the protected areas of Gujarat.

References Daniel, J.C. (1963). Field guide to the amphibians of western India. Part II.

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60(3): 690-702.

Daniel, J.C. & E.M. Shull (1963). A list of the reptiles and amphibians of the

Surat Dangs, south Gujarat. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60

phibia of Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary.

This

of the Bombay Natural History Society.

by him, only on information and

on the note and inform on further the state.

Reserve, Andhra Pradesh. Journal

few published references referred

(3): 737–743.

distribution areas of the species in

in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger

(2005) is a synchronized result of a

other parts of the state, therefore I

have taken the liberty to comment

Painted Kaloula Kaloula tapro-

The note of Suresh et al.

Naik, Y.M. & K.R. Vinod (1992). Am-

Cobra (8): 7-10.

Singh H.S. & K. Tatu (1999). Biodiversity study on Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary. Gujarat Ecological Education & Research Foundation, Gandhinagar, 106pp.

Soman, P.W. (1960). A note on am-

phibians of Kutch. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 57(1):226-227.

Suresh, B., R. George & Y.M. Naik (2005). Record of the Ornate microhylid

Microhyla ornate

(Dumeril & Bibron) at Timbi (Vadodara district) and at Hathipura (Anand

district) in Central Gujarat. Frog Leg 12: 1.

Vyas, R. (1999). A preliminary survey on amphibian fauna of Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat. Frog leg 3 (2): 2-3.

Vyas, R. (2000). Herpetofauna of Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary,

Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 15(6):285286.

Vyas, R. (2004). Herpetofauna of Vansda National Park, Gujarat. Zoos’ Print Journal 19(6): 1512 – 1514.

Vyas, R. (2004). Note on amphibians of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.

Zoos’ Print Journal 19(7): 1545.

Vyas, R. (2004). Herpetofauna of Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. Tigerpaper 31(3): 17–21.

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

Status and morphometric data of some anurans

with reference to Agra district, Uttar Pradesh

ated on the bank of river Ya-

ing traps on the sides of the

Table 1. List of the sampling

muna and is spread over an

ponds and river were deployed

sites in Agra

area of 4027sq.km between the

All the

(Bishop et al., 1994).

Prakash

2

Biochemical Genetics Lab, Department of Zoology, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University) Agra 282005, India Email: 1ravi_dei@rediffmail.com 1,2

water bodies were sampled for

Owing to its proximity to the

aquatic amphibians and soil

witnesses extremes of tem-

ence

perature, which ranges from

Specimens were then placed in

450C in summers to as low as

a jute bag (to prevent suffoca-

20C in winters. Of all the wet-

tion), and area of inspection of

lands situated in the vicinity of

each individual frog was re-

Agra, Keetham lake of Sur-

corded. Specimens were then

sarover Bird Sanctuary is the

transferred to the respective

during dusk in search of prey.

area of nearly 7.2km2 (Gupta et

they were examined for mor-

consumes various plant pests,

was dug to determine the pres-

Snout Vent Length (SVL); Tibial Length (TL); Head Width (HW); Head Length (HL); Eye Naris distance (EN); Interorbital distance (IO); Inernarial distance (IN); Foot Length (FL); Tarsus

Length (TL); Tympanum diameter (TY); Eye Tympanum distance (ET); Body Weight (BW).

Introduction The amphibian fauna, functionally being an important component of most terrestrial and

freshwater

ecosystems,

contributes significantly to the biodiversity of a given area and

serves as the best indicator of environmental health (Blaustein

et al., 1994).

Northern India

comprises of 2.3% and 7.9% of the total endemic and nonendemic species of the amphibians

(Amphibian

handbook 2001).

CAMP

Studies in

the areas of their morphology and speciation are limited in Agra region, which is situated in the Gangetic plains of northern India. Even though several studies have been conducted on the reptilian fauna of Agra,

documentation regarding the amphibian diversity is still insufficient (Gupta et al., 2004).

The present survey was made to emphasize the diversity of anurans in and around Agra region.

al., 2004) and is connected to

Agra district in the

state of Uttar Pradesh is situ-

burrowing

frogs.

phological parameters (Gupta,

2. Babarpur Reserve forest 3. Bainpur Reserve forest

4. Sursarovar Bird Sanctuary 5. Bichpuri farm

6. Taj nature walk

tuberculated with many black spine-tipped

warts.

Gravid

females could be seen hopping It largely feeds on insects and thus is of great economic importance.

Because of its drier

the Yamuna river through a

1998). Identification was done

feeder canal. The annual pre-

according to keys provided by

cipitation in the district aver-

Dutta (1992). Twelve morpho-

ages about 760.4mm, mainly

logical characters were taken

contributed by monsoon rains.

under consideration for mor-

areas

1996) and only adult frogs

playgrounds during hours of

skin and less dependence on water, it has certainly adapted to drier conditions of township in

the

The upper layer of the soil de-

phometric analysis (Rath et al.,

caught

vium brought down by the river

were measured.

late evening.

system and which is intermixed

ments were made using vernier

with quartz grain of Vindhyan

calliper and toe clipping was

sandstone.

used as a technique for mark-

posit (20-25m) is of fresh allu-

this

region

The vegetation of is

chiefly

ing.

dry-

All measure-

The IUCN status for the

city

from

and

was

roadsides

and

"Bufo" stomaticus: It is a me-

dium-sized toad, also known as Marbled Toad.

Colour of

skin varies from gray to olive

deciduous and thorny and may

collected amphibians has also

be classified as scrub jungle.

been shown according to Molur

with distinguished bright yel-

tats, mainly contributed by free

scientific names are after Frost

they acquire during the breed-

floating and submerged vege-

(2007).

ing season. Individuals of this

Observations and Results

mainly during period of late

& Walker (1998) (Table 3). The

The vegetation of aquatic habi-

Ludwigia ads cend ens , Nymp ho id es cristata, Hydrilla verticillata etc.

tation,

Among

consists

rooted

water

Fifty-three

plants

belonging

Sagittaria guayanensis and Limnophyton obturifolium are most common.

Eichhornia crassipes (Jal kumbhi) is a

to

seven

anurans distinct

species, under three families were identified (Table 2). Morphometric data for each spe-

cies was established by taking

troublesome weed in the area.

an average of the measure-

Plants growing in marshy lands

ments of different individuals

include Typha angustata, Polygonum glabrum etc.

lowish tint in male toads, which

species were found in all sites

of

of that species (Table 4).

In-

spite of trying our best to search for specimens through-

evening

moving

around

in

groups in search of food. They burrowed easily in sandy or wet soil using their hind limbs to dig the soil.

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis: It is a medium-sized

frog,

also

known as skipper frog. It has gray or black dorsal covering of skin with dark spots on white

out the district, most of the

ventral side.

was divided into six zones

along the river Yamuna.

reserve forests and Sursarovar

(Table 1) comprising of two

observations done during sam-

reserve forests, one bird sanc-

pling of individual species are

tuary, riverbank and city areas.

given below.

Methodology

The whole study area

samples

Samples were collected from

could

Duttaphrynus

various zones of the study area

Study area and it's ecology

of

terrarium for captive care until

major one, which occupies an

Abbreviations

1. Poia Ghat

27.110N - 78.00E longitude. sandy desert on the west, it

Ravi Kumar Singh1 and Sant

2007 December

be

collected

The

possible

habitats

of

Bird Sanctuary (SSBS) ranging from small ditches, stagnant rainwater pools to the side water

melanostictus:

It is seen in all

aquatic

pockets

of

running

streams. Many habitats of this frog

were

seen

flourishing

in the month of April, mainly

Also known as the Common

during early morning and late

Indian Toad was gray in colour

amidst

ing by hands, nets and by fix-

and red. The skin was heavily

lake of SSBS, which is largely

with various patches of brown

evening. Methods like captur-

7

the

water

hyacinth

spreading over the Keetham

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

2007 December

Table 2. Number of samples collected for

Table 3. List of anurans found in Agra with their IUCN status

study

Species

Species

No. of individuals

Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider) "Bufo" stomaticus (Lutken) Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider) Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin) Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst) Microhyla ornata (Deumeril & Bibron) Uperodon globulosum (Gunther)

collected

Duttaphrynus melanostictus "Bufo" stomaticus Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Fejervarya limnocharis Microhyla ornata Uperodon globulosum

Family

6

10 4

16 15

Status

IUCN

Criteria

Bufonidae

Non-Endemic

VU

A1,acd

Bufonidae

Non-Endemic

LR-nt

A1,acd

Dicroglossidae

Non-Endemic

VU

Dicroglossidae

Non-Endemic

Dicroglossidae

Non-Endemic

Microhylidae

Non-Endemic

Microhylidae

Non-Endemic

LR-nt VU

LR-1c LR-nt

B1,2c A1,d

A1,ac

B1,2abc

B1,2abc

1 1

Total

53

Table 4. Morphometric measurements (in mm) of collected anurans Species

SVL

TL

HW

HL

EN

IO

IN

FL

TL

TY

ET

BW*

Duttaphrynus melanostictus "Bufo" stomaticus Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Fejervarya limnocharis Microhyla ornata Uperodon globulosum

90

30

30

15

11

22

06

95

17

05

09

62

47

22

16

15

06

09

02

73

10

03

05

65

24

21

15

08

17

05

73

13

04

06

105

52

36

32

15

20

05

155

30

07

13

22

10

07

08

02

05

02

33

03

01

02

62 60

30

22

28

20

20 18

08

12

07

04

12

89

03

12

85

05

10

04

30 15

125

07

30 --

05

30

* Body weight in g

known for its avian fauna. It is

city many people are found

spreading

almost entirely aquatic and is

engaged in bulk trading of live

human

found active during day and night.

Because of reducing

water bodies, this species is

specimens of H. tigerinus.

other

colonization

interference.

members

of

and While

Ranidae,

dependent on perennial water

Fejervarya limnocharis: All in-

are largely facing extinction

severely affected and now is

dividuals collected were lacking

due to spreading of urbaniza-

restricted only to reserve for-

a median dorsal line.

Being

tion and shrinking wetlands.

ests.

semi aquatic in nature, it pre-

The species account reported

fers to live beneath stones,

in the present study contains

well known as the Indian Bull-

pebbles and under bark of

more number of species than

frog due to its big size and

trees and litter near the marshy

ever reported so far in the

from olive green to brown with

both in city and reserve forest

In addition to regularly found

variation in habitat and climatic

areas.

species, we also succeeded in

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus: It is

weight.

Its skin colour varies

conditions. and

bright

Males are smaller yellow

coloured

during the breeding season.

When they were housed in terrarium for few days the bright yellow

changed

brown.

In summers, popula-

to

muddy

tions are found in congregation in the moist or damp bed of

edges. Individuals were found

Microhyla ornata: T h e

individual of the smallest mi-

sum and members of limnocharis complex.

seen dwelling in the university

References

crohylid, Microhyla ornata was campus under a stone.

Uperodon

globulosum:

and streams of old city as well

abdomen, only one individual

as forest areas. However, due

was seen in the mud at the

to the increasing human popu-

edge of a pond.

An-

other aspect of declining of this

During field survey it

species is unrestricted trade for

was observed that both species

the purpose of school practical and for medicine manufactur-

to semi arid urban conditions

ing units. In slum areas of the

and seem to have coped with

and global extinction. Conservation

Biololgy 8(1): 60-71.

Dutta, S.K. (1992). Amphibians of India: Updated Species List with Dis-

tribution Record. Hamadryad 17: 113.

Gupta, B.K., A.K. Sinha., S. Prakash & K. Satyanarayan (2004). Herpetofauna Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Keetham, Agra, U.P. Zoos’ Print Journal XIX(8): 8.

Gupta, B.K. (1998). Captive Care of Common Indian Frogs and Toads.

Coimbatore Zoological Park and ConCentre,

Pioneer

house,

Rath, S., S. Mishra & S.K. Dutta (1996).

Morphometric and sex ratio analysis

Tamil

of Indian Tree Frog Polypedates maculatus (Anura: Rhacophoridae).

Zoos’ Print 11(5): 23-29.

phibians of India Report Summary.

Acknowledgement

Bishop, C., D. Bradford, G. Casper, S.

financial assistance provided by CSIR-

Zoos’ Print Journal XIII(12): 1-29.

Corn, S. Droege, G. Fellers, P. Geissler, D.M. Green, R. Heyer, M. Lannoo, D. Larson, D. Johnson, R. Mc Diarmid, J. Sauer, B. Shaffer, H. Whiteman & H. Wilbur (1994). A Proposed North American

Amphibian

Monitoring

Program. Proceedings from the 1994

8

Judging stability of population to local

Amphibian Populations Task Force -

Molur, S. & S. Walker (1998). Am-

of "Bufo" were largely adapted

Sousa (1994). Amphibian declines:

CAMP Handbook (2001). Declining

Nadu.

Discussion

Blaustein, A.R., D.B. Wake & P.W.

Peelamedu, Coimbatore.

tion Peelamedu, Coimbatore,

known as Gray Balloon Frog

Conference, 1-13.

servation

South Asia, Zoo Outreach Organiza-

Also

due to expanded balloon like

clining for this species.

collecting Uperodon globulo-

only

nullahs, under drainage covers

lation, such habitats are de-

given area.

North American Monitoring Program

We kindly acknowledge the NET JRF grant and all infrastructure facilities provided by the Dayalbagh University to generate species database of anurans of this region.

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

Record of Sylvirana lep-

toglossa (Cope, 1868) (Anura: Ranidae) from

Kolasib district, Mizoram, northeastern India

Department of Zoology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya 793022, India E-mail: kasto_h@yahoo.co.in

This note reports the

occurrence of Sylvirana lep-

toglossa (Cope, 1868) from a

forest in Kawnpui under Konortheastern

of

Mizoram,

India,

located

60km north of Aizawl.

Four

adults (1 male and 3 females)

of Sylvirana leptoglossa were

collected from a forest area

near a pond located at Kawnpui (28058'15.5"N - 92041'30.9"E ca.310 above msl). One of the specimens (Sl No. V/A/480)

was deposited with ZSI, Eastern Regional

Station,

Shillong.

Since, the altitude is not so high summer is hot and wet while winter is cool and dry.

During the field survey from 2003 to 2005, collection was done

at

night

toglossa

Hylorana

as

Cope,

1868;

lep-

Mizoram state.

139

Adult

[syntypes: MCZ 1588 (3 specifrom

Assam

(Dutta,

time

in

the

month of June where the aver-

age air and water temperature were 320C and 31.50C, respectively. Average rainfall of this region during this month is 58.7cm.

The area is dominated

by shrubby vegetation like Ag-

eratum conyzoides, Crassocephalum crepi-dioides, Drymaria cordata, Eupatorium riparium, Hedychium sp., Mussauenda glabra, Nymphoides indicum, Osbeckia crinata, Pterris sp., Thysanolaena maxima, etc., bamboos like Dendro-calamus spp. and Melocanna baccifera and trees like Careya arborea, Shorea robusta, Tectona grandis, etc.

sam region did not yield posiyear

2004

where

Snout-vent length

43.5

50

56

59

Head length

14.5

15.6

19

20

Eye diameter

6

6.2

6.1

6

Head width

tive result (Chanda, 1994), till the

Adult females

male

1997), several surveys in As-

B. Kharbuli and R.N.K. Hooroo

District

leptoglossa collected from Kawnpui area of Kolasib district,

This species was first

mens)]

H.T. Lalremsanga, Saipari Sailo,

lasib

Table 1. Morphometric measure-ments (in mm) of adult Sylvirana

Distribution described

2007 December

Sen

(2004) reported the presence of this species in Meghalaya

3.5

3.5

5

7

7.6

9

Length of hand Length of 1st finger

Thailand (Siam) and Vietnam (Annam) as reported by Dutta cies was recently found to occertain forest areas in Mizoram.

9

4.8

16

19

34

15

37

16

12

13

Length of 4th finger

8.5

10

14

14.5

Length of tibia

26

32

31.5 28 30

31

Length of 1st toe

5

10

10

10

Length of 3rd toe

16

21

19

21

Length of 5th toe

16.5

22

20

22

Diagnostic features

Length of 2nd toe

show a brown dorsum with

Length of 4th toe

small to large black spots or

8

26

13.2

10

4.5

8.5

Length of foot

All the four specimens

25

11

3.8

5

7

Length of hindlimb

cur in the hills and valleys of

3.4

18

Length of 2nd finger Length of 3rd finger

(1997). This endangered spe-

17

Snout length

Length of arm

found in Myanmar (Karin Hills),

14.5

Interorbital space Tympanum diameter

and Assam. The species is also

13.5

11 81

21

10 21

13.2 88 27

14

27

16 92

14

30

19 93

14

31

markings; lateral sides black under which black spots are present; loreal and temporal region dark brown or black.

Tympanum distinct, 4/5th diameter of eyes.

Ventral parts

white and smooth, spotted or marbled with brown on the throat and axial regions. Skin strongly

granulated

on

the

Figure 1. Rana leptoglossa

head and back, a strong and broad

glandular

dorsolateral

fold running above the tympanum up to the hip.

Another

glandular fold extends from posterior region of eyes up to the shoulder.

Head is slightly

longer than broad, depressed, snout is obtusely pointed, pupil of eyes are circular.

Forelimbs moderately long, fingers free and long with

Figure 3. Male Ventral

small discs, subarticular tubercles

are

distinct

and

oval.

Hindlimbs long with blackish crossbands, tibiotarsal articulation reaching between eyes and

nostrils,

overlapping

heels when

strongly hindlimbs

folded at right angles to body; tibia four and a half times as

Figure 2. Preserved

long as broad. Outer metatarsal

Figure 4. Toes of Male

tubercle is smaller than inner

9

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

metatarsal tubercle, subarticuar tubercles

distinct

and

oval.

Toes with small discs on the tips and 2/3 to Âź webbed. Fingers and toes in order of length are

3>4>1>2

Basking in Indian Pond Frogs

All

measurements were made with vernier caliper and ruler as shown in Table 1.

the

survey

Sylvirana leptoglossa could be

easily distinguished from other species on the basis of unique calls produced by the males.

The present survey shows that the species is moderately common during rainy season. Also, it may be mentioned that in the present case the number of

females collected is more but in the field the males outnumber the females.

behavioural and physiological

(Lesson) at Pulicat Lake, An-

adjustments in order to main-

dhra Pradesh, India

tain body temperature within a range.

V. Kannan

Senior Research Fellow, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, SB Singh Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400023, India Email: vaikan@rediffmail.com

(Daniel, 2002).

drying

(1994).

Anura

(Amphibia) of northeastern India.

Memoirs of the Zoological Survey of India 18: 79-80.

Dutta, S.K. (1997). Amphibians of India and Sri Lanka (Checklist and

thigmothermy

served in the Indian Tree Frog

Polypedates maculatus (Lillywhite et al., 1998). Since

weeds

the behavioural studies on the

On 14 February 2005,

herpetofauna are scant, it is

I was involved with fieldwork to

significant to add the behaviour

select sites for the study on

of the Indian Pond Frogs in the

waterbirds of Pulicat lake, the

saline environment.

second largest brackish water lake in India (13035'90.9N &

Indian Reptiles and Amphibians.

Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai.

However, the culverts

Lillywhite, H.B., A.K. Mittal, T.K.

across the road to Pernadu

Garg & I. Das (1998). Basking

island had pools of water pre-

Behavior, Sweating and Thermal

sent at a depth of about 1m

Ecology of the Indian Tree Frog,

159-

about 100 frogs were basking

Polypedates maculatus. Journal of Herpetology 32(2): 169-175.

Sen, N. (2004). Further notes on

of stagnant water at 1130hr. It

and reptiles as low enery sys-

Bibliography). Odyssey Publishing House,

Bhubaneswar,

160pp. statewise distribution of the amphibian Fauna of

North East

India. Records of the Zoological

Survey of 112.

India 102(3-4): 105-

I noticed

Pough, F.H. (1983). Amphibians

on the bank of the small pool

tems, pp. 141-188.

was quite unusual for me to

The

notice this behaviour of frogs.

The frogs were completely out

Aspey and S.I. Lustick (Eds). Ohio

on land exposing their entire

State Univ. Bio Sciences Collo-

acknowl-

edges the financial support from the Council of Scientific and InResearch

quia, No.7. Ohio State Univ Press,

on the surface of the water.

author

(CSIR),

New

Delhi. The authors are thankful to Prof. S.B. Prasad, Head, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University for providing necessary laboratory facilities. We are also grateful to Dr. Indraneil Das, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia and ZSI Eastern Regional Station, Shillong for their help in identification of the species.

Columbus, Ohio.

This floating surface bask and

Huey, R.B. (1982). Temperature,

half or two-thirds of the body

physiology and the ecology of

in water is commonly seen in

reptiles, pp. 25-67.

amphibians. The frogs basking

and F.H. Pough (Eds). Academic

was an unusual sight. So as I

Press, New York.

continued my observation until

Several

reports have documented the presence

of

abnormalities/

deformities among Indian anurans (Kurulkar & Deshpande, 1932; Nair & Kumar, 2005; Mathew & Sen, 2006).

Field

come more prevalent in recent times (Mathew & Sen, 2006).

Several factors which have been implicated as to be the causative agents for various abnormalities/deformities

in

amphibians include UV radiation,

cosmic

rays,

chemical

contamination of water, para-

1997; Nair & Kumar, 2005).

sitic

infestation

and

ground

level ozone (Reaser & Johnson,

records

The a

present

report

one-eyed

female

Sphaerotheca rufescens (having only the right eye) collected from within the area encompassing the water treatment plant (Fig. 1) near one of the outlet pipes used to discard the waste collected after treatment of water, situated within Mangalore

University

(between 12 0 49'28"N 74 56'21"E;

It is a regular phe-

Konaje,

Campus

12048'39"&

74 0 54'44"-

Altitude

Mangalore

100m) in

June

2005.

out of the water bodies during

The major character-

night and rest on land.

istic features (Fig. 1) of the

Most of the true frogs

Dicroglossidae frog, Sphaero-

are thought to be sensitive to precipitation

environmental health.

0

nomenon that pond frogs come

acidic

In: Biology

of the Reptilia. Vol. 12. C. Gans

on land during the midday sun

1200hr.

In: Behav-

ioural Energetics: the costs of survival in vertebrates, W.P.

body. A few were floating still

Acknowledgements

dustrial

during my visit.

Anurans are one of the most sensitive indicators of

malities/deformities have be-

Daniel, J.C. (2002). The Book of

February) due to its shallow

2

2

studies indicate that the abnor-

References

during peak winter (January & nature.

and

and sweating has been ob-

tion of the lake dries up even

S.K.

sun)

1

Reader, Research Scholar, Department of Applied Zoology, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Karnataka 574199, India Email: 1 vijaymalanair@yahoo.com 1

surface) (Huey, 1982). Basking

the surface or among camou-

and

K. Santhosh Kumar

(absorbing heat from a warm

It is commonly seen resting on brown

galore, Karnataka

through external heat sources

the

dominantly an aquatic species.

flaged

1854) from Konaje, Man-

Vijay Mala Nair

tion of heliothermy (basking in

Euphlyctis hexadactylus is pre-

theca rufescens (Jerdon,

perature of reptiles is achieved

plished in part by a combina-

The Indian Pond Frog

One eye frog, Sphaero-

The rise in body tem-

(Pough, 1983) and is accom-

80007'26.0E). The major por-

References Chanda,

dynamic process that involves

Euphlyctis hexadactylus

Remarks During

Temperature regulation is a

and

4>5>3>2>1, respectively.

2007 December

theca rufescens (Jerdon, 1854),

because

commonly

they respire through their skin.

10

called

Rufescent

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

2007 December

Table 1. Morphometric measurements (in mm) of normal (with two eyes) and abnormal (with one eye) female frog, Sphaerotheca rufescens (Jerdon, 1854) Characters

Normal frog

Snout to Vent length (SVL)

37

Head Length

A

1:0.357

Nostrils to the tip of Snout

1

1

1:0.027

1:0.029

Inter-Orbital Width

2

2

1:0.054

1:0.057

1:0.081

1.5

3

1:0.041

3

1:0.081

Inter- Narial Width

3

2.5

1:0.081

Tympanum Diameter

2

1.5

1:0.054

4.5

Forelimb Length

4

21.5

1st Finger Length

1:0.122

20

1:0.135

3rd Finger Length

4.5

4

1:0.122

4th Finger Length

3

2.5

1:0.081

1st toe length

5

5

1:0.135

8.5

1:1.621

8

1:0.230

18.5

5th toe length

11.5

11

1:0.311

1:0.314

fold

A clear glandular

extends

shoulder.

from

eye

1:0.500

The absence of one

to

eye could be due to an injury or

Ventrally smooth.

due to an abnormality induced

Important

phometric

17

during

mor-

measurements

embryonic

develop-

ment/metamorphosis, probably

of

stemming from the ill effects

bulging, roundish sub triangu-

insecticides brought in through

ble 1. The size of the tympa-

run off water from various in-

teeth, both inner and outer

num expressed as ratio to the

dustries around and/or from

diameter of the eye (0.375) is

agrarian practices.

ger and shovel shaped, outer metatarsals feebly separated at distal end, fingers and toe tips without

enlarged

discs

and

digits without intercalary carti-

lage, upper jaw (only) with teeth,

bifid

tongue

without

papilla, tibio- tarsal articulation reaching to the anterior border of the tympanum, colour brown with brick red patches, head

slightly smaller in the case of

by

Since

chemicals/

two

different

the deformed frog compared to

species of frogs with similar

case of the normal frog.

area, it strengthens the possi-

that of its value (0.444) in the

defects were found in the same

The one eye frog re-

bility of this defect being in-

ported in the present study was

duced by pollutants in anurans

captured from within the vicin-

and their sensitivity and sus-

ity of the area from where the

ceptibility to the change in

Indirana species with one eye

their environment makes an-

was documented in the earlier

urans an important indicator

report by Nair & Kumar (2005).

species.

The optic socket on the left

side did not have the eyeball in

References

rounded snout, distinct tympa-

the case of the deformed frog

Kurulkar, G.M. & D.S. Deshpande

diameter of the eye, first finger

However,

broader than long and with num, which is about half the

longer than second and the third finger slightly longer than first.

An inverted V shaped

ridge

present

between

the

1:0.229

4th toe length

caused

metatarsal tubercle being big-

1:1.543

1:0.143 1:0.357

frog are as detailed in the Ta-

metatarsal tubercles - the inner

1:0.114

1:0.071

1:0.351

the deformed and a normal

lar pupil, presence of vomerine

1:0.100

12.5

Lips and limbs cross-barred.

dorsolateral

1:0.042

13

Burrowing Frog, collected in

eyes

1:0.114

1:0.071

3.5

54

1:0.071

1:0.095

5

60

1:0.086

1:0.571

3.5

2.5

1:0.086

1:0.042

1:0.581

2nd Finger Length

shoulders.

tubercles,

1:0.243

3

1.5

Figure 2. The optic chiasma and the optic nerve are seen intact in the frog with one eye. However, the eyeball is absent in the optic socket on the left side

smooth skin with folds and fine

1:0.351

3

3rd toe length

includes

1:0.000

Snout Length

2nd toe length

study

1:0.000

1:0.257

12.5

Eye Diameter

present

8.5

deformed frog

13

Hind limb Length

the

Ratio to SVL in

Head Width

Width of Upper Eyelid

Figure 1. Normal (A) and Deformed (B) female frog, Sphaerotheca rufescens.

Ratio to SVL in normal frog

35

9.5

Nostril to Eye

B

Deformed frog

(1932). Congenital absence of a

captured in the present study. unlike

the

forelimb in a bull frog (Rana ti-

earlier

gerina). Journal of the Bombay Naural History Society 35(2): 462.

report, the optic chiasma and the optic nerve in the case of

Mathew, R. & N. Sen (2006).

the deformed frog was found

Notes

to be intact (Fig. 2).

11

on

abnormalities/

de-

1:0.486

formities in anurans (Amphibia).

Cobra 63: 6-10.

Nair, V.M. & K.S. Kumar (2005).

Deformed frogs - An ecological alarm? FrogLeg 12: 2.

Reaser,

J.K.

&

P.T.

Johnson

(1997). Amphibian Abnormalities: A review. Froglog 24: 2-4.

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

Need of anuran studies

studies were confined to the

in habitats of southern Rajasthan, India

K.K. Sharma1 and Satya P. Mehra2

Molecular Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305009, India Email: 1 kksmds@yahoo.com; 2 spmehra@sancharnet.in 1,2

India is one of the 12 megadiversity countries of the world due to high endemism.

Current status of India’s biodi-

versity suggests that, amongst vertebrates, endemism is highest in amphibians and reptiles (Daniels, 1996). herpetofaunal

So far, high endemism

is

found in certain regions such as Western Ghats, Eastern Himalaya and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Daniels, 1997).

Of the 225 species of amphibians known from India (Biju, 2001), more than 120 occur in the Western Ghats and about 60 species occur in Eastern Himalaya; many being endemic.

Out of these more than 100 are anurans

(frogs

(Daniels, 1997).

and

toads)

Dutta (1998)

listed systematically all known species from India, primarily

English name of every species or subspecies so far recognized.

Rajasthan is the largest state of India. Major part of the state is covered by desert.

Aravalli

Hills diagonally divide the state and delimit desert.

The state

has the long history of wildlife studies but majority of these were confined to higher vertebrates, and with reference to

amphibian these are meager (Sharma,

1995a,b;

Dube

&

Sharma, 2001; Dube, 2002;

Dube et al., 2002; Sharma &

Khan

2002;

Khan,

2004;

Sharma et al., 2004; Sharma &

Dube, 2005). Since most of the

order

to

under-

give taxonomic categorization

northern parts of the state, in

stand basic pattern of develop-

and

this paper the emphasis has

ment of anurans, table of de-

their sound in Rajasthan was

been given to the southern part

velopment of two anuran spe-

made

(Fig. 1).

The southern part

involves

five

districts

of

cies (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus

& "Bufo" stomaticus) were pre-

identification by

based

Sharma

on

(2005a,b).

The sound spectrum identification and taxonomic categoriza-

pared (Agarwal & Niazi, 1977;

tion is not only precise but

Ra-

Shivpal & Niazi, 1979). It was

environment friendly also be-

jsamand, Udaipur) along with

found that due to characteristic

cause this does not involve

two districts of Jodhpur Divi-

genomic organization of cells

unnecessary killing and fixation

sion (Sirohi & partly Pali). This

of

of animal and data transforma-

area constitutes about 16% of

studies focused on anurans to

tion is also very fast.

the total geographic area of

investigate positional memo-

(2005a) and his associates are

38% of the total forest cover of

cies. This led to exploration of

the anuran species in their

the

other anuran species found in

habitats in Rajasthan.

Udaipur

Division

Chittorgarh,

(Banswara,

Dungarpur,

state and holds approximately state

(Anon.,

2003).

regenerating

blastomea,

ries and developmental poten-

using this technique to monitor

Rajasthan,

state has 11 sites which are

identification

ontogenic

Anuran research and

either protected areas namely

developmental studies followed

conservation needs in southern

Jaisamand

by their use in experimental

Rajasthan: It was in the year

WLS,

Mount

Abu

WLS, Kumbhalgarh WLS, Sita-

their

Sharma

Southern part of the Rajasthan

and

taxonomic

studies (Niazi et al., 1989).

1989 at the First World Con-

mata WLS, Bhensrodgarh WLS,

During this period attention

garh WLS or sites identified for

tion of anurans by raising the

threat of global decline in am-

conservation namely Baghdara

tadpoles in laboratories from

phibian populations (Alford &

CA, Jawai CA, Sei dam and

the spawn collected from wild

Richards, 1999) and showed

Udaipur lake complex (Anon.,

and releasing young ones in

interest towards these small

Phulwari ki Nal WLS and Sajjan-

2003; Islam & Rahmani, 2004).

The terrain is mostly hilly constituted with intrusions of the Vindhyan ranges and Malwa Plateau

from

the

east

and

south/south-east, respectively.

was also paid for the conserva-

the wild (Niazi et al., 1989).

gress of Herpetology (Barinaga, 1990) the world recognized the

animals. Dubois (1999) in his

Anuran species maximally used

book-review pointed out the

as experimental models were

necessity of taxonomic studies

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Niazi et al., 1979), Sphaerotheca breviceps (Sharma & Niazi,

on amphibians in South Asia, as the threats to the natural habitats in this region. At pre-

1979; Niazi & Sharma, 1981;

sent, it is required that this

under consideration (Sirohi &

Sharma, 1982; Sharma, 1984;

unique fauna, before it is im-

Pali) is semi arid.

Sharma & Niazi, 1988) and

poverished at a rapid rate, be

Partly, the west side of the area

using the generic classification of Dubois (1992) and used

In

2007 December

Taxonomic

and

ex-

perimen-tal studies on anurans in Rajasthan: Many areas have

been neglected from biodiversity or ecological point of view especially

with

reference

to

amphibians. McCann (1942a,b) pioneered in listing the anuran

"Bufo" stomaticus (Niazi & Saxena, 1979; Gaur & Sharma,

inventoried

or

described.

Aravind et al. (2004) stated that

1987).

However, Euphlyctis hexadactylus, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Fejervarya limnocharis, Microhyla ornata and Uperodon systoma were also

the recent reports on the dis-

(Niazi et al., 1989).

which could be the case of

explored by these investigators

covery of an unusually high number of new species of frogs from Western Ghats hotspot are not surprising and perhaps it was always waiting to happen

In the 1990s many

higher altitudes. Many sites of

southern belt of state.

naturalists developed interest

Aravalli hills in southern Ra-

studies on anurans were pio-

various

ern Ghats such as Abu hills

neered by Niazi group of Ra-

Sharma (1995a); Dube (2002);

(area

jasthan University, Jaipur which

Khan (2004); Sharma & Dube

Matarmata hills (600m), Jar-

were carried on by Sharma, one

(2005) enlisted all the anuran

ghaji (1,000m), terrains of Sita-

of the associates of Niazi who

species of Rajasthan.

mata forests (423km2, 524m)

species

from The

developed

Abu

hills

of

expe rimental

M.D.S.

in

surveying

parts

For

University,

biodiversity of

in

Rajasthan.

identification

of

Ajmer as a center of anuran

anurans morphological, cyto-

studies.

logical and chemical character-

All these works were

jasthan are similar with Westof

326km2,

1,219m),

and Phulwari ki Nal (511km2, 300m).

Daniels

(1995,

confined to the central Rajast-

istics have been used by many

1999a); Molur & Walker (1998)

han (Jaipur and nearby areas).

investigators.

highlighted the need of am-

12

First attempt to

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

2007 December

Table 1. Anuran species in Rajasthan and their distribution SNo.

1.

2.

3.

Scientific Name

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Euphlyctis hexadactylus Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Fejervarya limnocharis Sphaerotheca breviceps Sphaerotheca rolandae

5.

6.

8.

Indian Bull Frog

Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, Sirohi, Bharatpur,

be considered a threat to an-

Cricket Frog

Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sirohi

organisms thrive on the surface

Indian Green Frog

Alwar, Dausa, S. Madhopur, Nagore, Ganganagar

urans in Rajasthan as these water whereas fluoride content

Ajmer

is high in the deeper levels, but it could possibly become a threat in the long run when

Udaipur, Sirohi, Jaipur Udaipur, Sirohi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ajmer, Bikaner,

deep mining operations may

Jaipur District

cules from the complex miner-

Ganaganagar, Nagore, Jhumjhunu

Green Toad

help leaching of fluoride moleals.

Family Microhylidae

Microhyla ornata Uperodon systoma

Ornate Narrow-mouthed Frog

The Abu hills of south

Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sirohi, Pali

Marbled Balloon Frog

Udaipur, Jaipur

Indian Tree Frog

Udaipur

-western extremity of Aravalli chain is a region of 326km2 of dry deciduous tropical forests

Family Rhacophoridae

Polypedates maculatus

12.

the fluoride richness could not

Jaipur

Short-headed Burrowing Frog Udaipur, Sirohi, Pali, Jaipur, Nagore

"Bufo" viridis

11.

work of Khan (2004) states that

Whole State

Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Asian Toad "Bufo" stomaticus Marbled Toad

10.

richness of water is another

Indian Skipping Frog

Family Bufonidae

9.

the mining area and fluoride

Distribution

major problem. Although, the

Family Ranidae

4.

7.

Common Name

catchment areas. Besides these

with interspersed patches of semi-evergreen forest.

It is

phibian research and conserva-

are several other factors such

tats only, owing to their sensi-

due to its unique natural set

tion in India, in terms of am-

as environmental change, dis-

tive skin, which has to remain

up; hence proposed to be an

phibians taxonomy, range dis-

eases,

moist for normal gas exchange.

eco-sensitive zone of Rajast-

tribution,

their

duced species, which led in

Temperature

han

requirements.

loss of amphibian populations.

being the important limiting

comm.).

Babu (2005) stressed on long-

Daniel

factors in the distribution of

status and distribution of am-

term monitoring to understand

many issues causing decline of

amphibians

(Ravichandran,

phibians of this region is very

ecology

conservation

the

population

during

and

fluctuations

seasons

contaminants,

(1999b)

intro-

mentioned

amphibian population in India

and

humidity

1998), and considered indica-

(Singh,

2004,

pers.

Information on the

limited (McCann, 1942a,b) and

in

different

but such studies are not avail-

tors of pollution and distur-

require immediate attention for

&

Mahanta

able

Rajasthan

bance to their habitat as they

conservation

(1993) highlighted the need of

belt and the possible causes

are the first animals to migrate

cially for amphibians.

extensive quantitative ecologi-

could not be stated authenti-

from

habitat

many humid places on the

cal studies on the amphibian

cally.

The preliminary studies

(Daniels, 1991). It is due to the

other hilly terrains of Matar-

communities in the Indian eco-

point to habitat alterations and

fact that these animals are in

mata, Jarghaji, Sitamata For-

systems.

Southern Rajasthan

destruction of wetlands due to

close contact with both aquatic

ests, Kumbhalgarh etc., they

needs extensive explorations

scanty rainfall and anthropo-

and land habitats; therefore,

have never been studied quan-

major factors in decline in am-

their great concern is their

with reference to amphibians.

phibian population in this re-

value as indicators of environ-

Amphibians are con-

for global declines of amphibi-

gion.

Besides, frogleg trade

mental stress (Sharma, 1994;

sidered to be more sensitive to

ans have been proposed by

from the Banswara and Udaipur

Blaustein & Wake, 1995; Dube

changes in patterns of tem-

several workers.

Habitat de-

districts is another cause, as

struction and alteration was

districts of southern Rajasthan

han is rich in sites of moist

considered one of the most

were among the main regions

habitats.

Wake, 1990; Khan, 1990; Ghate

years

all other wetlands near human

&

comm.).

habitats.

Dash

along with updated ecological studies of amphibians.

Many possible causes

important factors (Blaustein & Pandhye,

1996;

Ravi-

for

southern

genic activities seem to be the

2001,

changing

one of the main reason for

et al. 2002). Southern RajastExcept

the

moist

habitat sites of protected areas,

of frogleg supply in the past (Tehsin

a

pers.

planning

espeDespite

titatively and explored regularly

perature or rainfall than other terrestrial

vertebrate

groups

(Blaustein & Wake, 1990; Vitt et

al., 1990). Southern Rajasthan

has faced rainfall fluctuations

habitation are under threat of

and there have been paucity of

chandran, 1998; Alford & Rich-

Amphibians exhibit a

pollution. The amphibian habi-

rains during the last decade

ards, 1999). Clear cutting for-

wide range of adaptive radia-

tats of protected areas are also

(1990-2005).

ests,

and

tions suited to their habitats

under threat due to the exces-

had changed the surface water

altering habitat may directly

and modes of life such as bur-

sive pressure of anthropogenic

regime of the concerned area.

affect

rowing, aquatic, semi-aquatic,

activities especially the reli-

Due to lack of quantitative

terrestrial, arboreal and sub-

gious

ceremonies

studies of the anuran species

ever, restricted to moist habi-

of aquatic bodies and their

tion structure has not been

draining

wetlands

amphibian

population

(Petranka et al., 1993; Semlitsch, 1998; Ernst & Rodel, 2005).

Besides above, there

fairs

and

which cause the deterioration

terranean. But they are, how-

13

This fluctuation

the alterations in their popula-

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

ascertained. The recent trends induct the urgent need of studies in such areas where there is

melanostictus and "B." stomaticus, from Rajasthan based on earlier work (Daniel & Sekar,

possibility of habitats of large

1989; Inger & Dutta, 1986;

anuran populations.

Mansukhani & Murthy, 1964; McCann,

Distribution of anuran species in Rajasthan and its southern region: The distribution of the amphibian fauna of India

in

present

context

is

1942a,b;

Sharma,

1992, 1995a,b).

According to Sharma

(1995a), E. cyanophlyctis and

H. tigerinus were two species

distributed

throughout

the

E. hexadactylus was

poorly known (Dutta, 2004).

state.

Inger & Dutta (1986) prepared

distributed in the central part

the list of Indian amphibians and their state-wise distribution.

In this list six species,

viz., Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Microhyla ornata, Fejervarya limnocharis, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus , Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and Sphaerotheca breviceps were described to be present in Rajasthan but

whereas F. limnocharis and M. ornata were only confined in the southern parts of state. D. melanostictus and U. systoma

nidae

breviceps had marked its pres-

D. melanostictus is almost ab-

Very few studies have been carried on the related aspects of anuran diversity of higher

southern parts whereas "B." stomaticus in northern, central,

tion is reverse in many parts in

Waltner, 1974; Ravichandran,

geographical distribution pat-

2001). McCann (1942a,b) was

Polypedates

tern is required to be investi-

the pioneer.

gated for other species whether

compiled the information on

confining to a particular geo-

the altitudinal distribution of

graphical area is a mere chance

amphibians in the Himalaya.

or linked with some specific

Ravichandran (1998) concluded

characteristics of that particular

that Tamil Nadu owes its rich

out species was mentioned in

cated in the outskirts of Sita-

the work of Chanda & Ghosh

mata

(1988) and Das (1990) with no

(Sharma,

any new report from Rajasthan.

same

han making the list of seven

repre-

altitudes

ence in the northeastern and

reported from Bansi forest lo-

of "Bufo" stomaticus in Rajast-

exclusively

sent in this region. This situa-

Further, distribution of the left

note described the distribution

is

sented by "B." stomaticus and

and southern parts of state. S.

and southern parts of the state.

Then after Sekar (1991) in his

Figure 1. Map of southern region of Rajasthan

were distributed in the eastern

the presence of E. hexadactylus

was categorized as doubtful.

2007 December

WLS,

maculatus

Udaipur

1997).

species

was

district

Later

was

Udaipur.

the

recorded

Such

eco-

area.

from Banswara (Sharma & Ag-

1998;

(McCann,

1942a,b;

et al.,

Krishnamurthy

Waltner (1974)

amphibian dicersity to its for-

discussing

ests in higher elevations along

southern Rajasthan the contri-

the eastern slopes of the West-

(1999) reported a burrowing

bution from the adjoining Gu-

ern Ghats.

district. In 2005 a new record

Ajmer was reported (Sharma,

nihotri,

2002)

(Sharma

and

While

Jhalawar

2005a).

Saxena

All

major

peaks

of

species "B." viridis from Jaipur

jarat state cannot be overlooked. Work of Naik & Vinod

Aravallis such as Gurushikhar,

for Sphaerotheca rolandae in

(1993);

Achalgarh, Jarghaji lies in the

Sharma (2005a) stated the dis-

southern

record of the species and pro-

2006 pers. comm.) thus mak-

tribution sites of different anu-

The higher elevations of Chit-

species.

cies from Rajasthan. (Table 1)

to southern belt but extensive

the seasonal ponds and peren-

field surveys are required for

nial water sources are still to

studying the gap of such dis-

be explored for anurans.

species with confirmed distribution.

Dutta (1992) provided the revised and updated distribution vided the distribution of eight Sharma

(1992)

ported Uperodon systoma from

Preliminary stages of studies contucted by us pres-

the Jhalan hills, Jaipur for the

ently

first time in Rajasthan.

population

Al-

highlight of

that

U.

systoma

shows its distribution in the

of this species in India was

habitats of northeastern parts

the earlier papers (Thurston,

is restricted to the habitats of

already described in some of

and

of

Rajasthan.

torgarh and Udaipur holding

The Abu hills are very

every species as emphasized by

important of all the elevated

Dutta (2004).

lands of Rajasthan for amphib-

distribution

Anuran in habitats of

whereas that of F. limnocharis

part

of

continuous

major

though, the wide distribution

(1996)

ran species. Though not close

ing the list of 12 anuran spe-

re-

Vyas

higher

ian

studies.

The

western

slopes of Abu hills have the

altitudes:

Biologists

least disturbed habitat struc-

approached

unaltered

ture with dominant xeromor-

(2005a)

habitats, such as the tops of

phic vegetation finally ending

showed that P. maculatus is

mountains to document anuran

in important wetland in the

confined to south and south-

species before extinction. Spe-

eastern part of state.

cies such as D. melanostictus

foothills.

sented the distribution of nine frog species

regular survey of areas around

1888; Boulenger, 1890; Fergu-

southern part

son,

Similarly,

1904;

Parker,

1934;

Mahendra, 1939; Daniel, 1963).

Sharma (1995a) pre-

viz., Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, E. hexadactylus, H. tigerinus, S. breviceps, M. ornata , U. systoma , D.

have

of the state.

Sharma

In a

and

Euphlyctis

cyanophlyctis

Aravalli foothills near M.D.S.

being the most widespread at

observed that the family Bufo-

1999b;

altitudes 600-900m (Daniels,

University Campus, it has been

14

Ravichandran,

1998).

The eastern slopes

have the disturbance due to main

connectivity

road

and

vehicular traffic but still have

the dense forest patches and some shallow waterbodies in

frog leg

Newsletter of the ANSA & ASG SA

the foothills.

The southern

Recent developments in infor-

slopes of Abu hills still hold the

mation technology tools have

rich patches of forest and wa-

given an excellent opportunity

terbodies even on the higher

to the naturalists and conser-

altitudes. Northern slopes are

vationists to identify and moni-

somewhat

barren

hills

open rocky cliffs.

with

Achalgarh

tor

populations

using their calls.

of

waterbody, Trevor’s Tank, Up-

ran biodiversity even in those

per

areas which are inaccessible

Kodra

are

among the waterbodies or wet-

due

lands on the higher altitudes

muddy and swamp places.

to

dense

Daniel, J.C. & A.G. Sekar (1989). Field

marily. No site has been stud-

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Seminar on Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Bio resources, Barkatulla

1158.

16

Tamil Nadu 641004, India.

E-mail: herpinvert@gmail.com frog leg is available online at www.zoosprint.org