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FIVE NEW SHRUB FROGS SPECIES FOUND IN WESTERN GHATS

• The researchers from India and United States have found the five new species of shrub frogs.
• These species of the frog were discovered from the Western Ghats which is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot.

Important points:

• The five species of the frogs belong to Old World tree frog of family called Rhacophoridae.
• These species were discovered by researchers from Kerala Forest Research Institute, University of Delhi and University of Minnesota.
• This discovery is part the long comprehensive study on Shrub frogs of genus Raorchestes in the Western Ghats.
• The research was carried out for the period of 10 years.
• The new species were identified and were distinct on the basis of several criteria including the external morphology of frog, calling pattern, DNA, and behaviour.

About Research

• The findings of the research were published in the article called ”An integrative approach to infer systematic relationships and define species groups in shrub frog, with description of five new species from the Western Ghats, India”.
• The research was carried under the leadership of Delhi University Professor Biju.

About Shrub Frog

• The report highlights that, the new species called Raorchestesdrutaahu of the Shrub Frog was discovered from Kadhalar in Idukki district and Siruvani in Palakkad district in the state of Kerala.
• While one other species called Raorchesteskakkayamensis or the Kakkayam Shrub Frog was discovered only around the Kakkayam dam.
• Third species called Raorchesteskeirasabinae or Keira’s Shrub Frog was discovered in Agasthyamalai and Anamalai hills in western ghats.
• The fourth species called Raorchestessanjappai is a green shrub frog. It was found in the Wayanad region of northern Kerala.
• It has been named after Dr M Sanjappa who is an Indian Botanist and former Director of Botanical Survey of India.
• The last species which was discovered is Raorchestesvallikkannan or the Silver-eyed Shrub Frog.
• It was found in Siruvani hills and areas surrounding Silent Valley National Park

SOURCE:THE HINDU