Raorchestes resplendens

Raorchestes resplendens
Conservation status

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Raorchestes
Species: R. resplendens
Binomial name
Raorchestes resplendens
Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Dutta & Bossuyt, 2010[2]

Resplendent shrubfrog, Raorchestes resplendens, is a critically endangered species of frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae.[3] It is a novel species with extremely short limbs and numerous macroglands and has been discovered from the Anamudi summit (2695 m asl) in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India.[2][4]

Description

Within the generally small Raorchestes, Raorchestes resplendens qualify as medium-sized frogs: males grow to a snout-vent length of 23–25 mm (0.91–0.98 in) and females to 25–28 mm (0.98–1.10 in). Individuals of the species are distinguishable from all members of the genus by their bright reddish orange colour and multiple prominent glandular swelling. These are present laterally behind the eyes, on the side of the dorsum, on the anterior side of the vent, on the dorsal side of forearm and shanks and on the posterior side of the tarsus and metatarsus. The limbs are much shorter than in other Raorchestes.[2]

Distribution

The species is presently known to live within three km2 on the Anamudi summit within the Eravikulam National Park, India.[2][3]

Etymology and systematics

The genus Raorchestes is named in honour of C. R. Narayan Rao in recognition of his contribution to Indian batrachology. The scientific nomen Orchestes is based on the first generic nomen coined for frogs of the Philautus group, Orchestes Tschudi 1838. The specific epithet resplendens is a Latin term meaning 'bright coloured, glittering, resplendent' referring to the bright red or orange pigmentation.[2]

While Raorchestes resplendens are morphologically striking and different from other Raorchestes, molecular phylogenetics place them clearly within that genus. This suggests rapid morphological evolution in Raorchestes resplendens.[2]

Behaviour

Raorchestes resplendens have very short limbs, and the species is characterized by pronounced crawling behaviour. It is a ground-dwelling species,[2] while most Raorchestes are typically found in vegetation above the ground, some of them being arboreal.[5]

Raorchestes resplendens females burrow their eggs under the moss-covered forest floor, deep inside the base of bamboo clumps. As mature eggs were found in the oviduct of a female after oviposition, females of this species may mate with more than one male and breed more than once in a single season. Parents do not tend their eggs after oviposition. As is typical for the genus, development is direct, without a free-swimming larval stage. Hatching takes place after about 3–4 weeks. Upon hatching, froglets are fully mobile and measure about 4.5 mm (0.18 in) in snout-vent length.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Raorchestes resplendens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Biju S.D.; Y. Shouche; A. Dubois; S. K. Dutta; F. Bossuyt (2010). "A ground-dwelling rhacophorid frog from the highest mountain peak of the Western Ghats of India". Current Science 98 (8): 1119–1125.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Raorchestes resplendens Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Dutta, and Bossuyt, 2010". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "New species of frog found in Eravikulam National Park". The Hindu. May 5, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  5. ↑ Biju, S. D.; Bossuyt, F. (2009). "Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 new species". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155 (2): 374–444. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00466.x.

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