The Jhalida porphyritic granitoid pluton is exposed in a regional shear zone belonging to the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex of the Satpura Orogen (c. 1.0 Ga), regarded as the collisional suture between the South and North Indian blocks. The pluton intruded the migmatitic gneisses, metapelites, calc-silicate rocks and amphibolites belonging to the amphibolite facies. The mineral assemblage indicates the calc-alkaline nature of the granitoids. Mafic (Pl–Qz–Bt±Hbl) schists occur as xenoliths within the pluton. The granitoids are classified as alkali-calcic to alkalic, dominantly magnesian grading to ferroan, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, and shoshonitic to ultrapotassic. Geochemically, the granitoids are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), particularly K, and light rare earth elements (LREE), but are comparatively depleted in Nb, Ta, and heavy rare earth elements (HREE). The strong negative correlation between SiO2 and P2O5, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous character, high liquidus temperature (798–891°C) and high fO2 (ΔQFM +0.8 to +1.6) of the melt suggest their I-type nature. Field relations and tectonic discrimination diagrams imply their post-collisional emplacement. Low Nb/U (average 8.5), Ce/Pb (average 9.0), and Al2O3/(Al2O3 + FeO(t) + MgO + TiO2) ratios and relatively low Mg number (average 0.15) of these granitoids indicate a crustal mafic source. Batch melting (at 825–950°C) of 10–20% of an old, incompatible elements-rich high-K high-alumina hornblende granulite can generate the porphyritic granite melt. The heat source for melting was an upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle in the post-collisional set-up. Textural and chemical characteristics of the mafic xenoliths show that invading porphyritic granitoid magma metasomatized the amphibolite protoliths.
The present study deals with the breeding and nesting behaviour of Rhacophorus maximus at Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram, Meghalaya, North East India. Breeding activity of R. maximus occurred after the first few showers of rain and an increase in air temperature. The species breeds sporadically for a short period, which lasts for about 6-8 weeks during March and April. Amplexus took place on land as well as in water and lasted for several hours. Aggregations of male frogs making advertisement call at the breeding sites have been observed. Competition among the males to mate with the female frogs and at the same time trying to dislodge the amplecting pairs have also been observed. Multiple amplecting pairs are seen in the temporary rainfed pond at Mawsynram, which appeared to be a congenial breeding habitat during the peak of the breeding period. Both male and female frogs took active part in nest construction. The species constructs foam nests on diverse substrata such as aquatic vegetation about 2-3 cm above the water surface, on bare rocks near the water bodies and on earthen banks. The water temperature recorded during oviposition ranged from 20C to 22.5C, air temperature from 21.5C to 26C and relative humidity from 65% to 99%. The eggs are large, measuring 2 mm in diameter, unpigmented, white in colour and clutch size varies between 809 and 2059 with a mean of 1351.96 83.07.
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