A good number of new species are being described and included in the genus Fejervarya / Minervarya from South Asia and Southeast Asia in the recent past. But, the classification or consideration of the genus Fejervarya / Minervarya is only phylogenetic, where it is difficult to morphologically identify the genus in the overlapping range of geographical distribution. Recently a large sized new species of cricket frog Fejervarya kalinga has been described, which is thought to be endemic to the Eastern Ghats (a unique geographical landscape running parallel to the East Coast of India). Here we report a morphologically variable and distinct population of F. kalinga from the Western Ghats (an amphibian diversity hotspot running parallel to the West Coast of India). We discuss the importance of genetic studies in handling such morphologically highly variable populations of the species and their adaptation to different habitats and their implications in taxonomic identity.
The study discusses about the new data on larval description, morphological features, larval ecology of stage 25–40 of the Jerdon’s Narrow-mouthed Frog Uperodon montanus (Jerdon, 1853). Tadpoles were identified up to family and genus level based on the historical literature and the species level confirmation was done with molecular studies. We also present a new northern limit record of this species from the Pushpagiri hill ranges in Karnataka (12.669 N, 75.717 E) and a new highest elevation record of 1,916 m at Vaguvarai, Idukki, Kerala which are outside its currently known distribution and elevation ranges. As per the present work, the distribution range of U. montanus has extended northwards by 130 km and upwards by 216 m. Additionally, the IUCN Red List status for the species is also discussed based on the area of occupancy and extent of occurrence redone considering the new range envelope.
Minervarya cf. keralensis has been detected for the first time north of the Palghat gap in the central Western Ghats, a range extension of about 85 km. This species calls and breeds in the post-monsoon period (Jan–March) and exhibits axillary amplexus. Male call characteristics, natural history observations, and distributional complexities are described. Currently, the Minervarya nilagirica group that includes M. keralensis, show a complex distribution pattern in peninsular India that is worthy of further phylogeographic study.
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