Common names:
Purple frog
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Nasikabatrachidae
Species - Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
Distribution:
This species is found only in two small regions in the Western Ghats, India (Figure 2) [1]. It occurs at 850-1000m above sea level [1]. The known populations are found in an area called the Cardamom hills, their range covering only 5000km2 [1]. The populations occur near Idukki Town [1].
Details:
This species resides in forested, freshwater wetland areas [1]. It is found in mostly disturbed secondary, montane evergreen forests but the disturbed nature of the forests may just be due to necessity rather than preference [1]. For the majority of the year they live subterraneanly, living 1.3-3.7m below ground [1]. It only comes to the surface to breed for a few weeks of the year. It does so in both temporary and permanent ponds, often close to streams [1]. Populations are currently declining [1]. Only 135 individuals of this species have ever been recorded, of which only three were female [1]. The population is declining and the threatened forest habitat is in need of protection [1]. This species is noticeably different to all other taxa in taxa Anuran order [2]. Genetic links have been made between this frog and a frog in the Seychelles [2].
Threats to the species:
Small-holder aquaculture farming [1].
Forest conversion to cash crop farming [1].
No conservation initiatives in place [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2004). Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensi. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/58051/11722468. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Angulo, A. (2009) ‘Conservation Needs of Batrachophrynus and Telmatobius Frogs of the Andes of Peru’, Conservation and Society, 6(4), p. 328.
Photo: Amphibian Ark (n.d.) Photo Competition. [ONLINE[ Available at: http://www.amphibianark.org/photo-competition/. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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