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Issue: Vol. 4208 No. 6: 21 Dec. 2016
Type: Article
Published: 2016-12-21
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4208.6.3
Page range: 547–560
Abstract views: 135
PDF downloaded: 3

Redescription and Range Extension of Microhyla sholigari Dutta & Ray (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from South West India 

Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117453.
Manipal University, Manipal 576104, India.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur (P.O), Bengaluru 560064, India.
Gubbi Labs LLP, # 2-182, II Cross, Extension, Gubbi 572216, India.
Department of Applied Zoology, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangaluru 574199, India.
B-14, Law Apartments, Karkardooma, Delhi 110092, India.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur (P.O), Bengaluru 560064, India.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur (P.O), Bengaluru 560064, India.
Gubbi Labs LLP, # 2-182, II Cross, Extension, Gubbi 572216, India.
Amphibia IUCN Red List range extension Western Ghats acoustics morphology integrative taxonomy

Abstract

Microhyla sholigari is an endangered frog described in the year 2000. The original description was based on non-adult types and lacked information on several morphological characters, call structure, genetic material and photographs of the animal in life. The absence of such information posed challenges in field identification of this species. Since the original description, there is one other reported sighting of this species from Kerala in 2001. We encountered specimens that we confer to this species based on morphological similarity to the subadult holotype, from several new localities within and outside the Western Ghats of Karnataka. We here redescribe the species based on additional adult vouchers, provide molecular data, describe the advertisement call and report a range extension. Based on its current distribution, we assess the threat status of the species and suggest listing it as Least Concern according to IUCN Red List criteria. Our paper bridges an important gap in the knowledge of the genus Microhyla in India and highlights the importance of systematic surveys in documenting and understanding amphibian diversity in the region.

 

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