Raorchestes travancoricus, variously known as the Travancore bushfrog, Travancore bubble-nest frog, or Travancore tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. The species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats, India. Its specific name, travancoricus, as well as its three common names, refer to its type locality, Bodinayakkanur in the former Travancore state (now in Tamil Nadu).[2]
| Raorchestes travancoricus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus: | Raorchestes |
| Species: | R. travancoricus
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| Binomial name | |
| Raorchestes travancoricus (Boulenger, 1891)
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| Synonyms | |
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Ixalus travancoricus Boulenger, 1891
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Rediscovery
editIn early 2009, University of Delhi researchers announced that the species had been rediscovered in the Western Ghats.[3] The rediscovery was a result of intense surveying in the Western Ghats. Before the discovery of a single male from Vandiperiyar in 2004, the species had not been recorded after its description in 1891 by George Albert Boulenger. More recently, two males have been found from Vagamon. The species remains very rare, and the known populations, both in Kerala, occur in disturbed habitat (tea plantations) outside protected areas.[4]
Description
editR. travancoricus is a small frog, males measuring 22–25 mm (0.87–0.98 in) in snout-vent length and the single measured female 30 mm (1.2 in). Its back is light-greyish red to brown with prominent brown broad lines alternating with thin faint lines. It has a yellowish brown iris. R. travancoricus is a close relative of R. luteolus with which it could be confused.[4]
Habitat
editThis frog has been observed perched on shrubs near or between plantations, such as tea plantations and in some tropical evergreen forests and vayal habitats. Sometimes this frog sits on leaf litter. This frog has been observed between 350 and 1802 meters above sea level.[1]
Threats
editThe IUCN classifies this frog as endangered because of its small range, which is heavily fragmented and subject to ongoing degradation. Many people also take a pilgrimage to the Western Ghats. The pilgrims, the garbage they leave behind, and the burnings performed to create space for them can all disturb this frog. Scientists cite climate change as another threat: Because this species lives high in the hills, it cannot readily migrate to colder habitats. This frog's range includes a protected park, where an estimated half the population is believed to live: Periyar Tiger Reserve.[5][1]
Scientists believe the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis can infect this frog. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis causes the fungal disease chytridiomycosis.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2023). "Travancore Bush Frog: Raorchestes travancoricus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 3.1. p. e.T58927A166108743. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T58927A166108743.en. 58927. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Raorchestes travancoricus (Boulenger, 1891)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ University of Delhi (3 February 2009). "Dozen New Tree Frogs Discovered In Rapidly Vanishing Habitat In India". ScienceDaily.
- ^ a b Biju, S. D.; Bossuyt, F. (2009). "Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 new species". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 155 (2): 374–444. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00466.x.
- ^ Krystal Gong; Michelle S. Koo (13 April 2009). Kellie Whittaker (ed.). "Raorchestes travancoricus (Boulenger, 1891)". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
Further reading
edit- Boulenger GA. 1891. On new or little-known Indian and Malayan Reptiles and Batrachians. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Sixth Series 8: 288-292. (Ixalus travancoricus, new species, p. 291).
External links
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Data related to Raorchestes travancoricus at Wikispecies