Leapfrogging from Sahyadris

A dozen new species of frogs have been discovered in the forests of Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The findings were made by researchers SD Biju of Delhi University, Systematics Lab and Franky Bossuyt of the Amphibian Evolution Lab of the Vrije University, Brussels. The discovery has been acknowledged by the Zoological Journal of Linnean Society, London.

These findings are the result of extensive field study in the Western Ghats over a period of 10 years.

“Nine new Philautus species were identified after independence. We have added another 12 new species to the list during the period 2005-2008. These include discovery of lost species as well,” said SD Biju. Travancore Bush Frog (Philautus Travancoricus) was considered extinct since it was last seen more than 100 years back. The species was rediscovered from a highly degraded environment in its original habitat, Biju added.

The 1600-km Ghats stretch from Mahendragiri in Kanyakumari district up to Tapti river basin in Gujarat. The Ghats have yielded spectacular amphibian discoveries, including the Purple Frog. The new findings include the Philautus Amboli (found in Amboli, Maharashtra), Philautus Akroparallagi, Philautus Chlorosomma, Philautus Chhotta, Philautus Chromasynchysi, Philautus Coonoorensis, Philautus Jayarami, Philautus Kaikatti, Philautus Kani, Philautus Marki, Philautus Munnarensis and Philautus Sushili.

This discovery underlines the need to conserve species and their habitat in the Ghats as large areas in forests continue to be destroyed for plantation and urbanisation.

Seemingly, small disturbances in habitat could wipe out several species. “Once a species is lost, it cannot be brought back. Seven of the 12 new species were found in unprotected areas, which had forest cover some time back. Habitats are rapidly disappearing and urgent steps are needed to save remaining forests from plantation and urbanisation,” Biju said.

Many species are disappearing due to transformation of natural habitat to land for cultivation and urbanisation. The IUCN Global Amphibian Assessment shows that 200 amphibian species have become extinct since 1980 and  one in three among surviving species are on the verge of extinction.