Ghatixalus variabilis
| Ghatixalus variabilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus: | Ghatixalus |
| Species: | G. variabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ghatixalus variabilis (Jerdon, 1854) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Polypedates variabilis Jerdon, 1854 | |
Ghatixalus variabilis is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. It has a number of common names, including green tree frog,[2] though it is terrestrial rather than arboreal in its life style.[3]
Description
Male Ghatixalus variabilis grow to a snout-vent length of 41–51 mm (1.6–2.0 in) and females to about 67 mm (2.6 in). Males have nuptial spines. The colour is variable, even within a single location. Their dorsum have a colour pattern characterized by prominent dark brown blotches.[3]
Ghatixalus variabilis build spherical foams nests that are suspended up to 3 m (9.8 ft) above the water. Tadpoles hatch within the foam and drop to the water after a few days.[3]
Habitat and distribution
Ghatixalus variabilis is only known from the Nilgiri hills (a part of the Western Ghats), Tamil Nadu, India. They are found in evergreen montane forest patches at high altitudes. They are only found very near mountain streams, either on ground or low in the vegetation. When disturbed they escape to the water.[1][3]
Their habitat is threatened by fragmentation due to agricultural and logging activities as well as rural and/or urban development.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Biju, S.D., Dutta, S., Vasudevan, K. & Srinivasulu, C., Angulo, A. (2010). "Ghatixalus variabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Ghatixalus variabilis (Jerdon, 1854)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Biju, S.; Roelants, K.; Bossuyt, F. (2008). "Phylogenetic position of the montane treefrog Polypedates variabilis Jerdon, 1853 (Anura: Rhacophoridae), and description of a related species". Organisms Diversity & Evolution 8 (4): 267–276. doi:10.1016/j.ode.2007.11.004.
External links
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