Hoplobatrachus tigerinus

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Hoplobatrachus tigerinus
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus,Alapuzha.jpg
Breeding male
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Dicroglossidae
Genus: Hoplobatrachus
Species:
H. tigerinus
Binomial name
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus
(Daudin, 1803)
Synonyms

Rana tigerinaDaudin, 1802

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, commonly known as the Indian bullfrog, is a large species of fork-tongued frog found in South and Southeast Asia. A relatively large frog, it is normally green in color, although physiological traits vary between populations. Sexual dimorphism exists between males and females. Outside of its native range, H. tigerinus is a rapidly-spreading invasive species. Both adults and tadpoles can severely damage the populations of other frog species. Typically, Indian bullfrogs dwell in wetland environments. Research has been conducted on their ability to control mosquitos.

Contents

Taxonomy

The Indian bullfrog was first described by François-Marie Daudin in 1802, as Rana tigerina. [3] The type locality was given as "Bengale, India". In 1992, it was transferred to the genus Hoplobatrachus by Alain Dubois, as Hoplobatrachus tigerinus. In addition to various other renditions and misspellings of R. tigerina, other synonyms include Rana picta, Dicroglossus tigrinus, and Euphlyctis tigerina. [4]

Description

H. tigerinus from Bengaluru Indianbullfrog sal.jpg
H. tigerinus from Bengaluru

The Indian bullfrog is a large species of frog. They can grow to be 170 millimetres (6.7 in), with heads generally longer than they are wide, although older individuals tend to have wider heads. Normally green or brown with dark spots, males turn yellow during the breeding season. They tend to have a yellow streak along the spinal region of their back. [5]

Significant variation, in both color and size, exists between different populations, even geographically close ones. A 2012 study found that frogs from different villages in the Jamshoro District of Sindh, Pakistan were consistently different in size and coloration from other local populations. The study suggested that this was caused by food and water quality differences, as well as varying ages. [6]

Their hands are unwebbed, while their feet are essentially fully webbed. Males have nuptial pads (swellings present on the forearms of certain male amphibians used to grasp females for mating) on the first finger and dual blue-colored vocal sacs on either side of the throat. The tail and fins of tadpoles are speckled in black, with tail tips darkly colored. [5]

In males, the tympanum is wider than the eye, while in females the eye is wider than the tympanum. Females are also heavier and longer than males. [6]

Distribution and habitat

Distribution

The Indian bullfrog is native to mainland Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as possibly Bhutan and China, although its presence is uncertain. [1] It has been introduced to Maldives, [1] Madagascar, [7] and India's Andaman Islands, where it is now a widespread invasive species. [8] Likely areas to be invaded in the future include the Mascarene Islands, Malaysia, Indonesia, and East Africa. [9]

Andaman Islands

First reported in October 2011, [10] H. tigerinus has become a major threat to the fauna of the Andaman Islands. Larger than native frogs, it can easily consume large numbers of them, along with reptiles such as the Andaman worm snake and Andaman day gecko, as well as centipedes. The rapid spread of this frog throughout the archipelago is harmful to human residents as well, having disastrous effects on the local economy. The bullfrogs frequently kill and eat residents' fish and chicks, both of which are important to the islanders. While Indian law prohibits their killing, it is still done, both out of desire to rid the islands of the species and for food (H. tigerinus is a very cheap source of protein). Despite these efforts, the frogs' spread continues. [8]

One trait in particular that facilitates this invasion is the carnivorous nature of H. tigerinus tadpoles. Experimentation at the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET) field station on South Andaman Island demonstrated that when kept together in pools with adequate amounts of food, Indian bullfrogs rapidly devoured the tadpoles of native species. This behavior did not appear to increase their growth rate, the time it took to metamorphosize, or adult size. They consumed other tadpoles so quickly that no competitive behavior could be observed between different species. Even when kept only with their own kind, their aggression towards other tadpoles remained, with only three surviving per pool on average (for comparison, when kept without bullfrogs, native tadpoles—of the species Microhyla chakrapanii and Kaloula ghoshi —lived to metamorphosis three out of four times, on average). It is likely that the frog will eventually reach the Nicobar Islands. [11]

Madagascar

The species was first introduced to Madagascar for food, for which it is still used, although it has now become a pest. Human consumption has not been enough to prevent its spread. [1]

Habitat

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus is typically found in freshwater environments, especially wetlands, such as paddy fields. It is not generally found in other ecosystems, such as forests and coastal areas. [1]

Behavior and ecology

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Indian bullfrog) at Kasaragod, Kerala Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian bullfrog vijayanrajapuram2.jpg
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Indian bullfrog) at Kasaragod, Kerala

Diet

Adult Indian bullfrogs eat invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. [1] Tadpoles are known to consume mosquito larvae, including those of the species Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus . [12]

Reproduction and life cycle

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus reproduce during the monsoon season, in pools of rainwater. They produce many eggs at one time, although many tadpoles die before reaching adulthood. [1] They can live over seven years in the wild. [13]

Research

The Indian bullfrog has been found to be an efficient means of controlling mosquito populations. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP), which are highly toxic to the larvae of Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito), were found to be able to work in conjunction with Hoplobatrachus tigerinus tadpoles to exterminate large numbers of mosquito larvae, with tadpoles consuming more AgNP exposed larvae than non-exposed ones. While AgNP did not cause any immediate harm to the tadpoles, potential long-term side effects (such as changes in life expectancy) have yet to be studied. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tadpole</span> Larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian

A tadpole is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails. As they undergo metamorphosis, they start to develop functional lungs for breathing air, and the diet of tadpoles changes drastically.

<i>Aedes albopictus</i> Species of mosquito

Aedes albopictus, from the mosquito (Culicidae) family, also known as the (Asian) tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is a mosquito native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. In the past few centuries, however, this species has spread to many countries through the transport of goods and international travel. It is characterized by the white bands on its legs and body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American bullfrog</span> Species of amphibian

The American bullfrog, often simply known as the bullfrog in Canada and the United States, is a large true frog native to eastern North America. It typically inhabits large permanent water bodies such as swamps, ponds, and lakes. Bullfrogs can also be found in manmade habitats such as pools, koi ponds, canals, ditches and culverts. The bullfrog gets its name from the sound the male makes during the breeding season, which sounds similar to a bull bellowing. The bullfrog is large and is commonly eaten throughout its range, especially in the southern United States where they are plentiful.

François Marie Daudin was a French zoologist.

<i>Wolbachia</i> Genus of bacteria in the Alphaproteobacteria class

Wolbachia is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that can either infect many species of arthropod as an intracellular parasite, or act as a mutualistic microbe in filarial nematodes. It is one of the most common parasitic microbes of arthropods, and is possibly the most common reproductive parasite in the biosphere. Its interactions with its hosts are often complex. Some host species cannot reproduce, or even survive, without Wolbachia colonisation. One study concluded that more than 16% of neotropical insect species carry bacteria of this genus, and as many as 25 to 70% of all insect species are estimated to be potential hosts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common frog</span> Species of amphibian

The common frog or grass frog, also known as the European common frog, European common brown frog, European grass frog, European Holarctic true frog, European pond frog or European brown frog, is a semi-aquatic amphibian of the family Ranidae, found throughout much of Europe as far north as Scandinavia and as far east as the Urals, except for most of the Iberian Peninsula, southern Italy, and the southern Balkans. The farthest west it can be found is Ireland. It is also found in Asia, and eastward to Japan. The nominative, and most common, subspecies Rana temporaria temporaria is a largely terrestrial frog native to Europe. It is distributed throughout northern Europe and can be found in Ireland, the Isle of Lewis and as far east as Japan.

<i>Aedes aegypti</i> Species of mosquito

Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax. This mosquito originated in Africa, but is now found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosquito control</span> Efforts to reduce damage from mosquitoes

Mosquito control manages the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health, economies, and enjoyment. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice throughout the world and especially in the tropics because mosquitoes spread many diseases, such as malaria and the Zika virus.

<i>Hoplobatrachus</i> Genus of amphibians

Hoplobatrachus is a genus of frogs in the family Dicroglossidae. This genus is found in both Sub-Saharan Africa and southern and southeastern Asia. It is the sister taxon of Euphlyctis, although there is some evidence that it might be paraphyletic with respect to Euphlyctis. These frogs are sometimes known as the crowned bullfrogs or the tiger frogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded bullfrog</span> Species of frog

The banded bullfrog is a species of frog in the narrow-mouthed frog family Microhylidae. Native to Southeast Asia, it is also known as the Asian painted frog, digging frog, Malaysian bullfrog, common Asian frog, and painted balloon frog. In the pet trade, it is sometimes called the chubby frog. Adults measure 5.4 to 7.5 cm and have a dark brown back with stripes that vary from copper-brown to salmon pink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moor frog</span> Species of amphibian

The moor frog is a slim, reddish-brown, semiaquatic amphibian native to Europe and Asia. Moor frogs are known for their ability to freeze solid and survive thawing. The frog makes use of various cryoprotectants i.e. antifreeze that decrease its internal freezing temperature. The species is distributed over a large range, covering a significant portion of Eurasia. Male moor frogs are known to turn blue temporarily during the height of mating season. This coloration is assumed to signal a mate's fitness. Moor frogs typically mate through multimale amplexus a form of polyandry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pig frog</span> Species of amphibian

The pig frog is a species of aquatic frog found in the Southeastern United States, from South Carolina to Texas. Some sources also refer to it as the lagoon frog or the southern bullfrog.

<i>Kaloula baleata</i> Species of amphibian

Kaloula baleata, the flower pot toad or sometimes the smooth-fingered narrow-mouthed frog, is a species of narrow-mouthed toad. It is native to India, Borneo, Indochinese Peninsula, Java, Malay Peninsula and Philippines where it lives in lowland rainforests and is tolerant of disturbed sites. The IUCN lists it as being of "Least Concern".

<i>Hoplobatrachus crassus</i> Species of frog

Hoplobatrachus crassus, also called Jerdon's bullfrog, Jerdon's bull frog, and South Indian bullfrog, is a species of frog found widely distributed on the plains of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Its range may extend to the adjacent Bhutan and Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpenter frog</span> Species of amphibian

The carpenter frog is a species of true frog found on coastal plain of the Atlantic coast of the United States between central New Jersey and northeastern Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mosquitofish in Australia</span> Introduced pest species of fish in Australia

The eastern mosquitofish was introduced to Australia in 1925, and had spread from the northeast coasts to New South Wales, southern Australia, and parts of Western Australia by 1934. By the 21st century, known populations of wild mosquitofish had occurred in every state and territory except the Northern Territory, found in swamps, lakes, billabongs, thermal springs, salt lakes, and ornamental ponds. Mosquitofish are considered a noxious pest, especially in New South Wales and Queensland, and it is illegal to release them into the wild or transport them live into any of the states or territories. Mosquitofish were introduced by military and local councils to control mosquito populations; however, there has been no evidence that Gambusia has had any effect in controlling mosquito populations or mosquito-borne diseases. Studies have shown that Gambusia can suffer mortalities if fed only on mosquito larvae, and survivors show poor growth and maturation. Gambusia typically eat zooplankton, beetles, mayflies, caddis flies, mites and other invertebrates; mosquito larvae make up only a small portion of their diet.

<i>Bradinopyga geminata</i> Species of dragonfly

Bradinopyga geminata is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known commonly as the granite ghost. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and Thailand, where it is a common and widespread species.

<i>Toxorhynchites splendens</i> Species of fly

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References

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Further reading