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Type: Article
Published: 2015-11-24
Page range: 101–113
Abstract views: 46
PDF downloaded: 1

A novel third species of the Western Ghats endemic genus Ghatixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), with description of its tadpole

Natural History Museum, Biodiversity Institute, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-7561, U.S.A. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/ Centre for Herpetology, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India Karakkattupeedicayil, Edakkara, Malappuram, Kerala 679331, India
Karakkattupeedicayil, Edakkara, Malappuram, Kerala 679331, India
School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695016, India
Centre for Wildlife Studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 673576, India
Valiyaparampil House Kuzhimattom, Kottayam 686533, India
Beagle, Chandakunnu, Wayanad, Kerala 673121, India
Amphibia Rhacophoridae Ghatixalus New species Tadpole Western Ghats India

Abstract

The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is a recognized center of rhacophorid diversity as demonstrated by several recent studies. The endemic genus Ghatixalus is represented by two species from two separate high-elevation regions within the Ghats. Here, we describe a third species that can be distinguished by morphological and larval characters, as well as by its phylogenetic placement.