New Frog Species in Aravalis

• 14 Aug 2019

An amphibian survey conducted by Delhi University professor has found four new species of frogs in the Aravalli biodiversity area.

• The survey has found the presence of eight frog species in Aravalli biodiversity park.
  
  • The four species reported earlier are Bull frog (largest frog in India), Indian skipper frog, Narrow-mouthed frog (smallest land vertebrate from Delhi) and Pierrei’s wart frog.
  • The four new species found this year are Nepal’s Wart Frog, Indian Toad, Indus Valley Toad and Indian burrowing Frog.
• Since frogs are an environmental indicator, their presence indicates a relatively healthy ecosystem.

Indian Skipper Frog

• The species is widely distributed in South Asia and South-east Asia, from southeastern Iran, southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and eastern India at low to moderate elevations.
• They are often seen at the edge of bodies of water with their eyes above the water. They noisily move away from the shore when disturbed, giving them their common name.
• It is classified as least concern by the IUCN.

Pierrei’s Wart Frog

• It is found in India and its adjacent countries Nepal Bangladesh and Bhutan.
• It is a common species associated with paddy fields.
• It is classified as least concern by the IUCN.

Nepal’s Wart Frog

• It is a small-sized frog native to northern and northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• It is classified as least concern by the IUCN.

Indian Toad

• It is found widely from northern Pakistan through Nepal, Bangladesh, India including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other southeast Asian countries.
• It lives mostly in disturbed lowland habitats, from upper beaches and riverbanks to human-dominated agricultural and urban areas but uncommon in closed forests.
• It is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Source: TOI