Purple frog

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Purple frog
Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis.jpg
Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
Calls of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Nasikabatrachidae
Genus: Nasikabatrachus
Species:
N. sahyadrensis
Binomial name
Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
Biju & Bossuyt, 2003
Distribution Map of Nasikabatrachus.jpg
Distribution range of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (in ORANGE)

The purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), Indian purple frog, or pignose frog is a frog species of the genus Nasikabatrachus . It is endemic to the Western Ghats in India. Although the adult frog was formally described in October 2003, [2] the juvenile form of the species was described earlier in 1917. [3]

Contents

History of the discovery

The species was described from specimens collected in the Idukki district of Kerala by S.D. Biju from the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute in Palode, India, from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels), in 2003. However, it was already well known to the local people and several earlier documented specimens and publications had been ignored by the authors in the 2003 paper that describes the genus and species. [4] Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis closest living relatives are considered to be the Sooglossidae, only known in the Seychelles, an island chain in the Indian Ocean. [5]

Name

The scientific name Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis is a Latinized portmanteau of the Sanskrit nāsikā (नासिका) for "nose", Greek batrachos (βάτραχος) for "frog", and Sahyadri, the native name for the Western Ghats which forms the purple frog's natural habitat.

One of its common names, the purple pig-nosed frog, also makes reference to the elongated morphology of its snout, which is well adapted to the acquisition of fossorial termites.

Description

Video recording of a vocalizing male.

The body of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis appears robust and bloated and is relatively rounded compared to other more dorsoventrally flattened frogs. Their flattened body assists them to cling to submerged rocks and boulders which essentially helps them fight strong currents, allowing them to remain near stream banks where they typically reside. [6] Its arms and legs splay out in the standard anuran body form. Compared to other frogs, N. sahyadrensis has a small head and an unusual pointed snout. Adults are typically dark purplish-grey in color. Males are about a third of the length of females. [7] The specimen with which the species was originally described was 7.0 cm (2.8 inches) long from the tip of the snout to the vent. Tadpoles of the species had been described in 1917 by Nelson Annandale and C. R. Narayan Rao as having oral suckers that allowed them to live in torrential streams. [3] [8] Suckers are also present in rheophilic fishes of genera such as Glyptothorax , Travancoria , Homaloptera , and Bhavania , adaptations that are the result of convergent evolution. Some of these fishes co-occur with Nasikabatrachus tadpoles in the hill streams. [7] [9] Its vocalization is a drawn-out harsh call that sounds similar to a chicken clucking. Males of this species exhibit the unique behavior of calling from under a thin layer of soil. Some other burrowing frogs ( Myobatrachus gouldii and Arenophyrne rotunda ) are known to do this, but these frogs have also been observed to call from the surface, while N. sahyadrensis has not. [10] The frogs may switch to headfirst burrowing due to their wedge-shaped skull and other shaped limbs. [11]

Purple frog tadpole Purple frog tadpole by Nihal jabin.jpg
Purple frog tadpole

Distribution

Earlier thought to be restricted to the south of the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats, additional records have extended its known range farther north of the gap. [12] [13] The species is now known to be quite widely distributed in the Western Ghats, ranging from the Camel's Hump Hill Range in the north, all the way to the northernmost portions of the Agasthyamalai Hill Range in the south. [7]

Ecology

Like many frogs, the Indian purple frog is well-adapted to its subterranean environment. [14] The frog spends most of its life underground and surfaces only during the monsoon, for a period of two weeks, for mating. [15] With few field scientists out in the field during the rainy season, the species was discovered and studied only in recent times. Males emerge to call beside temporary rainwater streams. They mount females and grip them (amplexus) along the vertebral column. The females then carry the male frogs on their backs to the egg laying sites which are usually crevices along the fast-flowing streams. [16] Around 3000 eggs are laid in a rock pool and the tadpoles metamorphose after around 100 days. [7]

Purple frog juveniles Purple frog babies by Nihal jabin.jpg
Purple frog juveniles
Purple frogs mating Purple frog mating by Nihal Jabin.jpg
Purple frogs mating

Unlike many other burrowing species of frogs that emerge and feed above the ground, this species has been found to forage underground, feeding mainly on termites using its tongue and a special buccal groove. [17]

In 2015, tadpoles of the species were discovered to be traditionally consumed by tribal communities. [18]

The major threat to these amphibians in the Western Ghats of India is caused by the alteration of natural habitats by an ever-increasing human population, resulting in large areas being converted for settlement and agricultural use. Recent studies have shown frog utilization to be one of the major threats, which include the utilization of frogs for food, traditional medicine such as a cure for burns, asthma, and other lung ailments, [18] research purposes, and pet trade has also been considered a major contributor to their decline. Tadpole-harvesting was prevalent in the monsoon season during July–September every year. The Nadukani-Moolamattom-Kulamaav tribal people have developed an indigenous method for collecting these uniquely adapted suctorial tadpoles. Usually, about 2–5 individuals would participate in each harvesting event. [18] The Purple Frog growth also depends on the velocity of the water. When the velocity of water increased, there was a greater number of tadpoles than the lower velocity of water areas in both streams. The tadpoles also had constant activity in the streams as well. They also have a huge influence on the number of tadpoles in the environments they are in. [18] Due to increasing population in India where the purple frogs are native to, large open areas where purple frogs typically reside are being reconstructed for agricultural and settlement purposes. This has led to almost 40% of all amphibians in the Western Ghats of India going extinct, due to a lack of data the remaining amphibians are mostly unresearched with no knowledge of ecology, biology, defining characteristics, threats faced (Thomas & Biju, 2015).

The building of dams during monsoon season is affecting the loss of microhabitat that is needed for survival of the Purple Frog. The harvesting of tadpoles by indigenous communities is also a factor for their endangerment. [19]

Related Research Articles

<i>Nasikabatrachus</i> Genus of amphibians

Nasikabatrachus is a genus of frogs. It is presently treated as the only genus in the family Nasikabatrachidae, though previously it was included in the family Sooglossidae. Two species are recognized, Nasikabatrachus bhupathi and Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, both endemic to southwestern India. Both Nasikabatrachidae and Sooglossidae are thought to be the only extant families of the superfamily Sooglossoidea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sooglossidae</span> Family of amphibians

Sooglossidae, the Seychelles frogs or Seychelles Island frogs, are a family of frogs found on the Seychelles Islands. Until recently, this family was believed to include the genera Sechellophryne, Nesomantis and Sooglossus, but following a major revision of amphibians in 2006, the genus Nesomantis was named a junior synonym of Sooglossus. Their closest relatives are the purple frogs (Nasikabatrachidae) of India.

<i>Nyctibatrachus</i> Genus of amphibians

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.

<i>Nyctibatrachus major</i> Species of amphibian

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.

<i>Raorchestes griet</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes griet is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats south of the Palghat Gap in Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, India. The specific name griet honours Griet Decock, spouse of Franky Bossuyt, the scientist who described the species. The common name Griet bush frog has been coined for it.

<i>Raorchestes ponmudi</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes ponmudi is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats, India.

<i>Ghatixalus variabilis</i> Species of frog

Ghatixalus variabilis is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. It has a number of common names, including green tree frog, though it is terrestrial rather than arboreal in its life style.

<i>Raorchestes anili</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes anili, known commonly as Anil's bush frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae.

<i>Raorchestes dubois</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes dubois or the Koadaikanal bush frog is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sathyabhama Das Biju</span> Indian herpetologist and conservationist

Sathyabhama Das Biju is an Indian amphibian biologist, wildlife conservationist and heads the Systematics Lab at the University of Delhi, Department of Environmental Studies and is currently in Harvard University as a Radcliffe Fellow at the Radcliffe Institue for Advanced Study. He is dubbed as the "Frogman of India" by media for his passion for frogs and for bringing fresh fascination for Indian amphibians.

<i>Raorchestes</i> Genus of amphibians

Raorchestes is a genus of frogs in the subfamily Rhacophorinae that are found in mountainous regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern China. A recent study places Raorchestes as a sister taxon of Pseudophilautus. Before the description of the genus in 2010, species now in Raorchestes had been assigned to genera Ixalus, Philautus, and Pseudophilautus.

<i>Raorchestes akroparallagi</i> Species of amphibian

Raorchestes akroparallagi is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaira</span> Genus of amphibians

Blaira is a small genus of true toads endemic to the southern Western Ghats, India. The genus was erected in 2021 as a valid substitute name for Ghatophryne which was created in 2009 for Ansonia ornata which was found to be distinct enough to warrant its own genus. This was however considered an invalid description as it was published in an only a digital medium ; Ansonia rubigina was moved based on its morphological similarity and distribution.

<i>Raorchestes chotta</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes chotta, also known as the small bushfrog or small bush frog, is a species of frog found only in Ponmudi in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. This frog lays eggs attached to the underside of a leaf. They hatch as tiny froglets, skipping the tadpole stage. The frog has been observed between 600 and 980 meters above sea level.

<i>Raorchestes jayarami</i> Species of frog

Raorchestes jayarami, also known as Jayaram's bush frog, is a species of frog from the subfamily rhacophoridae found in Valparai in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu in India, where it has been observed between 600 and 1800 meters above sea level.

<i>Raorchestes kadalarensis</i> Species of amphibian

Raorchestes kadalarensis is a species of frog of the genus Raorchestes found in Kadalar near Munnar in the Western Ghats of Kerala in India. This frog has been observed between 1300 and 1700 meters above sea level.

<i>Nasikabatrachus bhupathi</i> Species of amphibian

Nasikabatrachus bhupathi, or Bhupathy's purple frog, is a frog species belonging to the family Nasikabatrachidae. It can be found in the Western Ghats in India and was discovered near the Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. The specific epithet honors the late Indian herpetologist Subramanian Bhupathy (1963–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sooglossoidea</span> Superfamily of frogs

Sooglossoidea is a superfamily of frogs. It contains only two highly divergent families consisting of three genera with two species each, one family being found in southwestern India and the other in the Seychelles.

<i>Ghatixalus asterops</i> Species of amphibian

Ghatixalus asterops, the Ghat tree frog or starry-eyed Ghat tree frog, is a species of frog in the subfamily Rhacophorinae. It is endemic to India's Western Ghat mountains, specifically the Palani Hills and south of the Palghat Gaps.

References

  1. ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T58051A166098621.
  2. ↑ Biju, S. D.; Bossuyt, F. (2003). "New frog family from India reveals an ancient biogeographical link with the Seychelles". Nature. 425 (6959): 711–714. Bibcode:2003Natur.425..711B. doi:10.1038/nature02019. PMID   14562102. S2CID   4425593.
  3. 1 2 Annandale, N. & Rao, C.R.N. (1917). "Indian tadpoles". Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 13: 185–186.
  4. ↑ Das, Indraneil (2007). "Some forgotten descriptions of Nasikabatrachus (Anura - Sooglossidae)". Herpetological Review. 38: 291–292.
  5. ↑ Biju SD, Bossuyt F. New frog family from India reveals an ancient biogeographical link with the Seychelles. Nature. 2003 Oct 16;425(6959):711-4. doi: 10.1038/nature02019. PMID 14562102.
  6. ↑ Senevirathne G, Thomas A, Kerney R, Hanken J, Biju SD, Meegaskumbura M. From clinging to digging: The postembryonic skeletal ontogeny of the indian purple frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (anura: Nasikabatrachidae). PLOS ONE. 2016;11(3):e0151114.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Zachariah, A; RK Abraham; S Das; KC Jayan & R Altig (2012). "A detailed account of the reproductive strategy and developmental stages of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (Nasikabatrachidae), the only extant member of an archaic frog lineage" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3510: 53–64. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3510.1.3.
  8. ↑ Annandale, N. (1918). "Some undescribed tadpoles from the hills of southern India". Records of the Indian Museum. 15: 17–23.
  9. ↑ Annandale, N. & Hora, S.L. (1922). "Parallel evolution in the fish and tadpoles of mountains torrents". Records of the Indian Museum. 24: 505–510.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Ashish; Suyesh, Robin; Biju, S. D.; Bee, Mark A. (7 February 2014). "Vocal Behavior of the Elusive Purple Frog of India (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), a Fossorial Species Endemic to the Western Ghats". PLOS ONE. 9 (2): e84809. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...984809T. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084809 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   3917828 . PMID   24516517.
  11. ↑ PLOS ONE, 2016, Volume 11, Issue 3
  12. ↑ Das, K. S. 2006 Record of Nasikabatrachus from the Northern Western Ghats. Zoos' Print Journal 21(9):2410
  13. ↑ Radhakrishnan, C.; K.C. Gopi & K.P. Dinesh (2007). "Zoogeography of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju and Bossuyt (Amphibia: Anura; Nasikabatrachidae) in the Western Ghats, India". Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 107 (4): 115–121. doi: 10.26515/rzsi/v107/i4/2007/159116 . S2CID   251728922.
  14. ↑ Bittel, J. (2021, May 4). New purple pig-nose frog found in Remote Mountains. Animals. .
  15. ↑ Marshall, Presented by Michael (17 October 2014). "Eight ugly animals we should save anyway". BBC Earth. Retrieved 3 January 2015. India's purple frog spends almost all the year underground, surfacing for around two weeks in the monsoon to breed in temporary ponds created by the torrential rain.
  16. ↑ Das, Sandeep; Tapley, Benjamin; Gray, Claudia; Das, Jyoti; Divakar, Nithin (2019). "A Survival Blueprint for the conservation and management of the Purple Frog Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, in Kerala, India" (PDF). The EDGE of Existence Fellowship. Zoological Society of London.
  17. ↑ Radhakrishnan, C.; Gopi, K. C.; Jafer Palot, Muhamed (2007). "Extension of range of distribution of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju & Bossuyt (Amphibia: Anura: Nasikabatrachidae) along Western Ghats, with some insights into its bionomics" (PDF). Current Science. 92 (2): 213–216.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, A.; Biju, S. D. (2015). "Tadpole consumption is a direct threat to the endangered purple frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis". Salamandra. 51: 252–258. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  19. ↑ Thomas, Ashish; Das, Sandeep; Manish, Kumar (1 June 2019). "Influence of stream habitat variables on distribution and abundance of tadpoles of the endangered Purple frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (Anura: Nasikabatrachidae)". Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 12 (2): 144–151. doi: 10.1016/j.japb.2019.01.009 . ISSN   2287-884X.

THOMAS, A., & BIJU, S. D. (2015). Tadpole consumption is a direct threat to the endangered purple frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis. Salamandra, 51(3), 252–258.

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