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Issue: Vol. 5604 No. 2: 13 Mar. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-03-13
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5604.2.6
Page range: 167-175
Abstract views: 128
PDF downloaded: 4

Larval descriptions and natural history of two endemic frogs (Amphibia: Anura) from the Western Ghats, India

Department of Life Sciences; CHRIST (Deemed to be University); Hosur Road; Bangalore 5600029; India; EDGE of Existence Programme; Conservation and Policy; Zoological Society of London; London; NW1 4RY; UK
EDGE of Existence Programme; Conservation and Policy; Zoological Society of London; London; NW1 4RY; UK; Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History; Anaikatty; Coimbatore; Tamil Nadu; India
Department of Science and Humanities; Manipal Institute of Technology Bengaluru; Manipal Academy of Higher Education; Manipal; 576104; India
Amphibia Biodiversity hotspot Fossorial tadpole Indirana Micrixalus Semiterrestrial tadpole

Abstract

Western Ghats of India is known for its high anuran diversity; however, the larvae of many anurans are still unknown. Studies on anuran larvae can provide insights into their natural history and evolution, help identify cryptic species and aid in amphibian conservation. In this study, we describe the tadpoles of two poorly known species Indirana bhadrai and Micrixalus candidus from the Western Ghats, India using morphology and molecular techniques and provide details on their natural history. The morphology of the tadpoles reflected their habitats. The tadpole of Indirana bhadrai was semiterrestrial, adapted to wet rocky slopes while the tadpole of Micrixalus candidus was fossorial, found under small rocks and sand in slow-flowing streams. Molecular analysis using the 16S rRNA gene showed 100% identity between tadpoles of Indirana bhadrai, and Micrixalus candidus with their adults respectively. The larval descriptions provided in this study can help understand the ecology of the frogs from the Western Ghats.

 

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