Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi | |
---|---|
Male | |
Female | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Nyctibatrachidae |
Genus: | Nyctibatrachus |
Species: | N. mewasinghi |
Binomial name | |
Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi Krutha, Dahanukar, and Molur, 2017 | |
Map showing N. mewasinghi's known distribution in the southern Western Ghats |
Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi, also known as Mewa Singh's night frog [1] or the Peruvannamuzhi wrinkled frog, [2] is a species of frog in the night frog family Nyctibatrachidae. It was described in 2017 by the herpetologist Keerthi Krutha and her colleagues. A small frog, it has an adult snout–vent length of 21.4–23 mm (0.84–0.91 in). It is mainly light greyish-brown above and off-white below, with a triangular light brown patch on the snout, light brown limbs with off-white undersides, and dark grey fingers and toes. It has scattered greyish-brown spots on the throat and the underside of the limbs. When preserved in ethanol, it has a more faded colour.
The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India, where it is known only from the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, where the specimens used to describe the species were originally collected. It is known from streams with plant cover at elevations of around 38 m (125 ft). It has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.
Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi was described in 2017 by the herpetologist Keerthi Krutha and her colleagues based on an adult female specimen collected from the village of Peruvannamuzhi in the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Kerala. The species is named after the Indian primatologist and ethologist Mewa Singh to honour his contributions to the study and conservation of Indian primates. [3]
The species is one of 34 species in the night frog genus Nyctibatrachus , in the robust frog family Nyctibatrachidae. [4] It is sister (most closely related) to N. athirappillyensis , and both of these species are further sister to N. kempholeyensis. The following cladogram shows relationships among the three species, according to the 2017 study that described the species. [3]
Nyctibatrachus |
| ||||||||||||
N. mewasinghi is a small frog, with a snout–vent length of 21.9–22.3 mm (0.86–0.88 in) for adult males and 21.4–23 mm (0.84–0.91 in) for females. The width and length of the head are similar, and the snout is ovoid and longer than the diameter of the eye. Males can be distinguished from females by the presence of a prominent femoral gland (a bulbous gland near the inner thigh). [3]
In adult females, the upperside is light greyish-brown, with a pair of light reddish-brown bands running from behind the eyelids to the middle of the back. The snout has a triangular light brown patch, demarcated by a dark stripe between the eyes. The margins of the upper and lower jaws are grayish, with glandular projections on the lower jaw. The side of the body is slightly lighter than the back, and the underside is mainly off-white, with some scattered greyish-brown spots on the throat. The limbs are light brown with horizontal dark brown bands above and off-white with scattered greyish-brown spots below. The fingers and toes are dark grey, with dark brown bands across the upper side. When preserved in 70% ethanol, the frog has a more faded colour and the bands along the back are cream to light brown. [3]
N. mewasinghi can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of its small snout–vent length; the head being almost as wide or slightly wider than it is long; a prominent Y-shaped ridge from the upper lip to the nostrils; weakly wrinkled skin on the upper sides with prominent granular projections; the absence of glandular folds on the sides of the back; the presence of the dorso-terminal groove (groove on the upper side of the tip of the digit) on the third finger and fourth toe; the discs on the third finger and fourth toe being well-developed and slightly wider than the finger and toe, respectively; two tubercles on the palm; small webbing; the thigh being almost as long as the lower leg; and the lower leg being almost as long as the foot. [3]
N. mewasinghi is endemic to the Western Ghats of India, where it is known only from the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, north of the Palakkad Gap. The specimens used to describe the species were collected from a stream with plant cover, running alongside a wall ahead of a drain releasing excess water from the Peruvannamuzhi Dam, and were at an elevation of 38 m (125 ft). Males have been observed vocalising from rocks and leaves around 5:00 PM. [3] The species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN. [2]
The bicolored frog or Malabar frog is a species of frog endemic to the Western Ghats of India. The tadpoles of the species are black and form dense and compact schools in slow moving streams in forested areas.
Nyctibatrachus is a genus of frogs endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India. Their common name is night frogs. Their scientific name also means "night frog", in reference to their habits and dark color. They are the only extant members of the monotypic subfamily Nyctibatrachinae. Currently, 35 species belong to Nyctibatrachus.
Micrixalus saxicola is a species of frog in the family Micrixalidae, found in forest streams in the Western Ghats of India.This frog has a brown colored dorsum and a white ventral side with irregular white specks on its dark brown throat and chest. Its smooth skin and cryptic coloration allow it to blend into its surroundings while resting or calling. The males of the species are territorial, and will use calling, foot tapping, and foot flagging to warn off competition. M. saxicolais is described by the IUCN as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human interference.The frog also threatened by infection by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
Indirana leithii is a species of frog in the family Ranixalidae. It is endemic to the northern Western Ghats of India. As currently defined, its range is restricted to the states of Maharashtra and southern Gujarat; earlier records elsewhere refer to other species.
Minervarya keralensis is a species of frog from India. Originally described by Albert Günther in 1876, its present-day specific epithet, keralensis, meaning "of Kerala", was introduced as replacement name by Alain Dubois in 1981.
Walkerana diplosticta, also known as the spotted leaping frog, Malabar Indian frog, rufous leaf-hopper frog, and Günther's frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranixalidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats south of the Palghat Gap and only known with certainty from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India. Localities with confirmed records include the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Walkerana leptodactyla is a species of frog endemic to the southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu states of southern India. Precise reports are from Anaimalai hills, Palni hills, Meghamalai, Travancore hills and Agasthyamalai. It is a terrestrial to semi-aquatic frog associated with the leaf-litter of high-elevation evergreen montane forest; it is not known from modified habitats. It is uncommon and believed to be declining in abundance.
Nannophrys guentheri is an extinct species of frog in the family Dicroglossidae. It was endemic to Sri Lanka. The species was first identified in 1882 by George Boulenger and named after the German-born British zoologist Albert Günther. It is not known where in Sri Lanka the specimens were found.
The Bombay night frog, also known as Abdulali's wrinkled frog, Abdulali's night frog or Humayun's wrinkled frog, is a species of frog in the family Nyctibatrachidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of Maharashtra state, India. The species is found near torrential hill streams in tropical moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, a habitat that is threatened by habitat loss and pollution. Its name honours Humayun Abdulali, an Indian biologist.
Nyctibatrachus major, the Malabar night frog, large wrinkled frog, or Boulenger's narrow-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Nyctibatrachidae, commonly known as the robust frogs. It was described in 1882 by the zoologist George Albert Boulenger, and is the type species of the genus Nyctibatrachus. It is a large frog for its genus, with an adult snout–vent length of 31.5–52.0 mm (1.24–2.05 in) for males and 43.7–54.2 mm (1.72–2.13 in) for females. It is mainly brownish to greyish in colour, with a dark greyish-brown upperside, a greyish-white underside, and light grey sides. It also has a variety of grey or brown markings. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly greyish-brown to grey, with whitish sides. Sexes can be told apart by the presence of the femoral glands in males.
Nyctibatrachus minimus is a species of frogs in the family Nyctibatrachidae. It is the smallest known frog in the genus Nyctibatrachus and was recently discovered from Kurichiyarmala in the Western Ghats or Wayanad, Kerala.
The spinular night frog, also known as the spinular wrinkled frog, is a species of frog in the family Nyctibatrachidae, commonly known as the robust frogs. It was described in 2011 as one of 12 new species in its genus by the herpetologist Sathyabhama Das Biju and his colleagues. A large frog for its genus, it has an adult male snout–vent length of 52.9–66.2 mm (2.08–2.61 in). It has a brownish-grey back, a grey underside, dark brown limbs, and dark grey feet. When preserved in ethanol, it is black above with greyish-brown undersides. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India, where it is known from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where the specimens used to describe the species were originally collected. It is found under rocks in streams in forests. The species has not been assigned a conservation status by the IUCN.
Micrixalus kodayari, also known as the Kodayar dancing frog, is a species of frogs in the family Micrixalidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats south of the Shencottah Gap in Tamil Nadu, India; it is known from Kodayar and Kakkachi.
Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani, or Vijayan's night frog, is a species of night frogs, family Nyctibatrachidae. The frog is endemic to the Western Ghats, India, and is only known from its type locality, Pandipath, in the Agasthyamalai Hills, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Smaller than a human fingernail, it is among the smallest frog species in the world. Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani is part of a genus that evolved in India around 70–80 million years ago. The species of frog was discovered by scientists from the University of Delhi.
Indosylvirana indica, the Indian golden-backed frog, is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It was formerly considered as conspecific with Indosylvirana temporalis but was found to be a distinct species in a 2014 study.
Nyctibatrachus manalari, the Manalar night frog, is a species of frog in the robust frog family Nyctibatrachidae. It was described in 2017, along with six other species in its genus, by the herpetologist Sonali Garg and her colleagues. A small frog, it has an adult male snout–vent length of 13.1–15.4 mm (0.52–0.61 in). It is mainly reddish-brown in color, with a pale patch on the snout, lighter undersides, and dark brown horizontal lines on the limbs. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly grey to greyish-brown, with grayish-white undersides.
Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei, also known as Robin Moore's night frog or the Tirunelveli wrinkled frog, is a species of frog in the family Nyctibatrachidae, commonly known as the robust frogs. It was described in 2017, along with six other species in its genus, by the herpetologist Sonali Garg and her colleagues. A small frog, it has an adult male snout–vent length of 12.2–13.4 mm (0.48–0.53 in). It is mainly reddish-brown, with a light grey underside, light orangish-brown bands running from the eyes to the middle of the back, light brown limbs, and darker brown hands and feet. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly brown, with light greyish-white undersides and light greyish-brown limbs.
Nyctibatrachus radcliffei, also known as Radcliffe's night frog or the Thiashola wrinkled frog, is a species of frog in the night frog family Nyctibatrachidae. It was described in 2017, along with six other species in its genus, by the herpetologist Sonali Garg and her colleagues. A medium-sized frog for its genus, it has an adult male snout–vent length of 32.8–38.3 mm (1.29–1.51 in). It is mainly reddish-brown, with a light flesh-red coloured underside, light brown limbs, and dark grey hands and feet. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly dark grey, with grayish-white undersides.
Microhyla darreli is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae, the narrow-mouthed frogs. It is endemic to the Western Ghats south of the Palghat Gap in southern India. It is named for Darrel Frost, an American herpetologist, in recognition of the online database Amphibian Species of the World that he maintains. Accordingly, common name Darrel's chorus frog has been coined for this species.
Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai, also known as the Sabarimala night frog or Sabarimala wrinkled frog, is a species of frog in the robust frog family Nyctibatrachidae. It was described in 2017, along with six other species in its genus, by the herpetologist Sonali Garg and her colleagues. A small frog, it has an adult male snout–vent length of 12.3–13.2 mm (0.48–0.52 in). It is mainly brown, with a dark brown back, a greyish-white underside, light brown bands running from the eyes to the middle of the back, light brown limbs, and light grey hands and feet. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly grey, with greyish-white undersides and light grey limbs.