Raorchestes shillongensis

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Raorchestes shillongensis
Xmas frog Shillong.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Raorchestes
Species:
R. shillongensis
Binomial name
Raorchestes shillongensis
(Pillai & Chanda, 1973)
Raorchestes shillongensis map-fr.svg
Distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis
Synonyms

Philautus shillongensisPillai & Chanda, 1973

Raorchestes shillongensis (common names: Shillong bubble-nest frog, Shillong bush frog, Xmas frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Greater Shillong in North East India. It is known from the Khasi Hills in the region of Shillong, Meghalaya in north-eastern India. [2] [1] [3]

Habitat and conservation

This frog is widespread in the Khasi Hills and has also been observed in other places, mostly between 1000 and 1600 meters above sea level. This frog perches on shrubs in forests, but it can also live near streams and even in human settlements. Like other frogs in Raorchestes, scientists believe it breeds through direct development with no free-swimming tadpole stage. [1]

Scientists classify this frog as least concern of extinction because of its large range and its tolerance to habitat disturbance. What threats remain come from habitat loss, such as deforestation associated with logging and infrastructure. Scientists also cite climate change as a threat to this species. Because it lives at high elevations, it cannot simply migrate in search of new habitats. [1]

Documentary

Thumbelina - the story of an Xmas Frog by award-winning Indian wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur is a documentary on Raorchestes shillongensis. [4]

Related Research Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Raorchestes hassanensis, the Hassan bush frog or Dutta's bubble-nest frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to India, including the Western Ghats.

Raorchestes primarrumpfi is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to India and has been observed high in the Nilgiri Massif mountains.

Roarchestes leucolatus is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to India. Scientists have observed it in the Western Ghat mountains, between 894 and 958 meters above sea level.

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

Roarchestes indigo is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to India. It has been observed high in the mountains in scrub tree habitats. This frog has been observed between 1400 and 1700 meters above sea level.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2023). "Shillong Bush Frog: Raorchestes shillongensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 3.1. p. e.T58902A166107836. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T58902A166107836.en. 58902. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Raorchestes shillongensis (Pillai and Chanda, 1973)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. "Raorchestes shillongensis (Pillai and Chanda, 1973)". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  4. "Meet Shillong's Xmas Frog: So Tiny, It Fits In a Raindrop" . Retrieved 2019-09-08.