Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology
Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology. Little is known about Walkerana phrynoderma, a frog endemic to the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats of India. Bas...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade de São Paulo
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.revistas.usp.br/phyllo/article/view/147494 |
| _version_ | 1818655499615207424 |
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| author | Arun Kanagavel Sethu Parvathy Abhiijth P. Chundakatil Neelesh Dahanukar Benjamin Tapley |
| author_facet | Arun Kanagavel Sethu Parvathy Abhiijth P. Chundakatil Neelesh Dahanukar Benjamin Tapley |
| author_sort | Arun Kanagavel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology. Little is known about Walkerana phrynoderma, a frog endemic to the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats of India. Baseline information (i.e., distribution, threats, habitat characteristics, activity patterns, and relative abundance) is provided for this species, with the aim of improving our understanding of the status of the species in the wild. Visual-encounter, transect, and time-activity budget surveys were conducted in and around the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. The frog skin was swabbed to determine the presence/absence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and habitat and environmental characteristics were recorded at sites where W. phrynoderma was found. These data were compared with those of sites apparently lacking this species that had suitable habitat. Walkerana phrynoderma is restricted to evergreen forests between 1300 and 1700 m a.s.l. in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and at Munnar; thus, its range was extended from the state of Tamil Nadu to the adjoining state of Kerala. Pesticide runoff and human disturbance are the most severe threats to the species; B. dendrobatidis was not detected. This nocturnal anuran prefers forest edges and is associated with well-shaded forest foors in cool areas near freshwater streams. Walkerana phrynoderma is rarely encountered whereas its congener, W. leptodactyla, is more common. The impact of anthropogenic disturbances, especially waste disposal and development of tourism infrastructure, should be evaluated. The land that is owned by the Forest Department peripheral to the protected areas could be designated as eco-sensitive sites to prevent changes in land use that could have an adverse effect on W. phrynoderma. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T03:10:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bfc984b258ce40e79a1098dea8dd1eaf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1519-1397 2316-9079 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T03:10:40Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | Universidade de São Paulo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology |
| spelling | doaj.art-bfc984b258ce40e79a1098dea8dd1eaf2022-12-21T22:05:51ZengUniversidade de São PauloPhyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology1519-13972316-90792018-06-01171Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphologyArun Kanagavel0Sethu Parvathy1Abhiijth P. Chundakatil2Neelesh Dahanukar3Benjamin Tapley4Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s CollegeConservation Research Group, St. Albert’s CollegePondicherry University, School of Life Sciences, Department of Ecology and Environmental SciencesIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchZoological Society of LondonDistribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology. Little is known about Walkerana phrynoderma, a frog endemic to the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats of India. Baseline information (i.e., distribution, threats, habitat characteristics, activity patterns, and relative abundance) is provided for this species, with the aim of improving our understanding of the status of the species in the wild. Visual-encounter, transect, and time-activity budget surveys were conducted in and around the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. The frog skin was swabbed to determine the presence/absence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and habitat and environmental characteristics were recorded at sites where W. phrynoderma was found. These data were compared with those of sites apparently lacking this species that had suitable habitat. Walkerana phrynoderma is restricted to evergreen forests between 1300 and 1700 m a.s.l. in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and at Munnar; thus, its range was extended from the state of Tamil Nadu to the adjoining state of Kerala. Pesticide runoff and human disturbance are the most severe threats to the species; B. dendrobatidis was not detected. This nocturnal anuran prefers forest edges and is associated with well-shaded forest foors in cool areas near freshwater streams. Walkerana phrynoderma is rarely encountered whereas its congener, W. leptodactyla, is more common. The impact of anthropogenic disturbances, especially waste disposal and development of tourism infrastructure, should be evaluated. The land that is owned by the Forest Department peripheral to the protected areas could be designated as eco-sensitive sites to prevent changes in land use that could have an adverse effect on W. phrynoderma.https://www.revistas.usp.br/phyllo/article/view/147494amphibianAnamalai HillsCardamom HillsEDGE speciesIndirana phrynodermaSallywalkerana phrynoderma. |
| spellingShingle | Arun Kanagavel Sethu Parvathy Abhiijth P. Chundakatil Neelesh Dahanukar Benjamin Tapley Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology amphibian Anamalai Hills Cardamom Hills EDGE species Indirana phrynoderma Sallywalkerana phrynoderma. |
| title | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology |
| title_full | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology |
| title_fullStr | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology |
| title_short | Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology |
| title_sort | distribution and habitat associations of the critically endangered frog walkerana phrynoderma anura ranixalidae with an assessment of potential threats abundance and morphology |
| topic | amphibian Anamalai Hills Cardamom Hills EDGE species Indirana phrynoderma Sallywalkerana phrynoderma. |
| url | https://www.revistas.usp.br/phyllo/article/view/147494 |
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