Delimiting the distribution range of Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888) (Anura: Ranixalidae), an endemic threatened anuran of the Western Ghats, based on molecular and morphological analysis

Abstract

Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888) (Anura: Ranixalidae) is a frog species endemic to the Western Ghats and is categorized as Vulnerable according to IUCN red list. This species is currently considered to be widespread over the entire Western Ghats. Our study based on molecular data (using DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes and the nuclear rhodopsin gene), morphological analysis of topotypic material as well as material collected from a wide range within the northern Western Ghats, suggests that the species has instead a restricted range in the state of Maharashtra. Specimens identified as I. leithii from the southern Western Ghats as well as from outside the Western Ghats probably belong to hitherto undescribed species. To facilitate future studies in understanding the nature of this species complex and provide better means for identification and delimitation of species we provide molecular, morphological and osteological characters of I. leithii from topotyic material.

Indirana chiravasi, a new species of Leaping Frog (Anura: Ranixalidae) from Western Ghats of India

“…Despite of the above mentioned lacunae, Nair et al (2012b) have provided genetic data for a wide distribution of Indirana populations in southern Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Further, Modak et al (2014) have provided details for Indirana leithii based on topotypic material and a wide distribution in the northern Western Ghats. As a result genetic data from Nair et al (2012b) and Modak et al (2014) forms a good comparative material for assessing the affinities between I. chiravasi and other populations of Indirana sp.…”

“…Further, Modak et al (2014) have provided details for Indirana leithii based on topotypic material and a wide distribution in the northern Western Ghats. As a result genetic data from Nair et al (2012b) and Modak et al (2014) forms a good comparative material for assessing the affinities between I. chiravasi and other populations of Indirana sp. nov. from a wide geographic range within the Western Ghats.…”

“…Furthermore, I. chiravasi has moderate webbing (I1-2II1-3III1¼-3IV3-1¼V*) vs. reduced webbing (I2-2II2-3III2½-4IV4-2½V in I. diplosticta; I1-2II2-3III3-4IV4-3V in I. phrynoderma and I1-2¼II2-3III3-4IV4-3V in I. leptodactyla); distinct canthus rostralis (vs. indistinct canthus rostralis in I. phrynoderma); smooth skin with glandular folds (vs. warty skin in I. phrynoderma), presence of double outer palmer tubercle (vs. single outer palmer tubercle in I. leithii); vomerine teeth in two oblique series at the posterior border of choanae and long midventral lingual papilla (vs. vomerine teeth none and tongue without papilla in I. longicrus) and tympanum 2/3 rd (in female) to Nair et al 2012b) is 9.1-11.0 % for 16S gene and 4.2-4.7 % for all the genes together; and between I. chiravasi and I. leithii (topotypic material from Modak et al 2014) is 12.5-12.8 % for 16S gene and 6.9-7.3 % for all the genes together.…”

“…The true species diversity of Indirana within the Western Ghats, however, is poorly understood as several species are suggested to be in species complexes (Nair et al 2012a,b;Modak et al 2014). With the presence of undescribed species (Nair et al 2012a,b;Modak et al 2014) and poor knowledge on the distribution of known species , the knowledge on Indirana is plagued by both Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls (Bini et al 2006).…”

“…With the presence of undescribed species (Nair et al 2012a,b;Modak et al 2014) and poor knowledge on the distribution of known species , the knowledge on Indirana is plagued by both Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls (Bini et al 2006). Because several species of Indirana are under threatened category (Stuart et al 2008), taxonomic studies on this group are of immediate concern.…”