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Safaei-Mahroo B, Ghaffari H, Niamir A. A synoptic review of the Amphibians of Iran: bibliography, taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, conservation status, and identification key to the eggs, larvae, and adults. Zootaxa 2023; 5279:1-112. [PMID: 37518755 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5279.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This study provides an illustrated account, a comprehensive update of the systematics, and a bibliography of the 15 species of anurans in five families, eight genera; and of the six species of urodeles in two families, four genera in Iran. Bufonidae, with eight species, is the most diverse family; Salamandridae has five species and Ranidae has four species. This study also presents updated identification keys for the eggs, larvae, and metamorphosed amphibians of Iran. We designated specimen NMW 19855.1 as neotype of Pelophylax persicus (Schneider, 1799) comb. nov.. Along with distribution maps obtained from all the reliable localities and museum specimens known at this time, the modelled habitat of species, and for the first time, the National Red List of amphibians based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria. Based on our evaluation we propose to categorize Bufo eichwaldi, Paradactylodon persicus, Neurergus derjugini, and N. kaiseri as Vulnerable at National Red List, and to move Bufotes (Calliopersa) luristanicus, B. (C.) surdus, Firouzophrynus olivaceus, and Rana pseudodalmatina from the category of Least Concern (LC) to Near Threatened (NT). The National Red List of amphibians that we propose has significant implications for endangered species management and conservation. Forty-one percent of amphibian species in Iran are endemic to the country, and more than forty percent of the Iranian amphibians are at risk of extinction. Zagros Mountain forest and Hyrcaniain forests have more than 80% (i.e. 18 species) of the diversity of Iranian amphibians. A considerable amount of scientific literature published on Iranian amphibians in Persian language is not easily accessible to researchers outside Iran. This monograph attempts to remedy the situation and provides broader access to international herpetology. We recognize that taxonomy is always in a state of flux, and the names and synonymies used here reflect our current view.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanyeh Ghaffari
- Department of Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Natural Resources; University of Kurdistan; Sanandaj; Iran.
| | - Aidin Niamir
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre; Frankfurt am Main; Germany.
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Dufresnes C, Mahony S, Prasad VK, Kamei RG, Masroor R, Khan MA, Al-Johany AM, Gautam KB, Gupta SK, Borkin LJ, Melnikov DA, Rosanov JM, Skorinov DV, Borzée A, Jablonski D, Litvinchuk SN. Shedding light on taxonomic chaos: Diversity and distribution of South Asian skipper frogs (Anura, Dicroglossidae, Euphlyctis). SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2102686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Dufresnes
- LASER, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Stephen Mahony
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Vishal Kumar Prasad
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, People’s Republic of China
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rachunliu G. Kamei
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
- 566 Kohima-Meriema Road (AH1), Meriema, Kohima, 797001, Nagaland, India
| | - Rafaqat Masroor
- Zoological Sciences Division, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, 44000, Islamabad Pakistan
| | - Muazzam Ali Khan
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Charsadda, KP, Pakistan
| | - Awadh M. Al-Johany
- Department of Zoology, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Leo J. Borkin
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Daniel A. Melnikov
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Juriy M. Rosanov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy V. Skorinov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Amaël Borzée
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University, in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, Bratislava, 842 15, Slovakia
| | - Spartak N. Litvinchuk
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Dagestan State University, Makhachkala, Russia
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Joshi J, Agarwal I. Integrative Taxonomy in the Indian Subcontinent: Current Progress and Prospects. J Indian Inst Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-021-00244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Gaitonde N, Deshpande D. Breeding biology of Malabar Tree Toad Pedostibes tuberculosus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Castle Rock, Karnataka, India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2020. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.5308.12.13.16912-16915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Malabar Tree Toad Pedostibes tuberculosus Günther, 1876 is an endemic and endangered species from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, however, its reproductive biology is barely understood. In 2018, we opportunistically encountered a breeding aggregation of P. tuberculosus at Castlerock, Karnataka, and recorded its breeding behavior. We found P. tuberculosus in the northern Western Ghats to aggregate in choruses and breed for a short duration (a couple of nights). Males physically competed in short duels to gain access to females. The males clasped the females around the armpits in a tight axillary amplexus lasting an entire night. The female in an overnight amplexus laid approximately 150 eggs. We observed the tadpoles to rapidly develop and complete metamorphosis within a month. We highlight the variation in reproductive traits in populations of P. tuberculosus distributed along the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot which will aid in conservation and systematics of this species group.
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Othman SN, Chen YH, Chuang MF, Andersen D, Jang Y, Borzée A. Impact of the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution and Anthropogenic Factors on the Dispersion of Asian Black-Spined Toads ( Duttaphrynus melanostictus). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1157. [PMID: 32650538 PMCID: PMC7401666 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergence-time estimation critically improves the understanding of biogeography processes underlying the distribution of species, especially when fossil data is not available. We hypothesise that the Asian black-spined toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, expanded into the Eastern Indomalaya following the Quaternary glaciations with the subsequent colonisation of new landscapes during the Last Glacial Maximum. Divergence dating inferred from 364 sequences of mitochondrial tRNAGly ND3 supported the emergence of a common ancestor to the three D. melanostictus clades around 1.85 (±0.77) Ma, matching with the Lower to Mid-Pleistocene transition. Duttaphrynus melanostictus then dispersed into Southeast Asia from the central Indo-Pacific and became isolated in the Southern Sundaic and Wallacea regions 1.43 (±0.10) Ma through vicariance as a result of sea level oscillations. The clade on the Southeast Asian mainland then colonised the peninsula from Myanmar to Vietnam and expanded towards Southeastern China at the end of the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution 0.84 (±0.32) Ma. Population dynamics further highlight an expansion of the Southeast Asian mainland population towards Taiwan, the Northeastern edge of the species' range after the last interglacial, and during the emergence of the Holocene human settlements around 7000 BP. Thus, the current divergence of D. melanostictus into three segregated clades was mostly shaped by Quaternary glaciations, followed by natural dispersion events over land bridges and accelerated by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti N. Othman
- Department of Life Sciences and Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea; (S.N.O.); (M.-F.C.); (D.A.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yi-Huey Chen
- Department of Life Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei 11114, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Feng Chuang
- Department of Life Sciences and Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea; (S.N.O.); (M.-F.C.); (D.A.); (Y.J.)
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Desiree Andersen
- Department of Life Sciences and Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea; (S.N.O.); (M.-F.C.); (D.A.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yikweon Jang
- Department of Life Sciences and Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea; (S.N.O.); (M.-F.C.); (D.A.); (Y.J.)
| | - Amaël Borzée
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Jaiswara R, Dong J, Robillard T. Phylogenetic relationships in the cricket tribe Xenogryllini (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Eneopterinae) and description of the Indian genus Indigryllusgen. nov. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjana Jaiswara
- Department of Biological Sciences Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali Punjab India
- Department of Zoology Panjab University Chandigarh India
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle CNRS, Sorbonne Université des Antilles, EPHE, Université des Antilles Paris Cedex France
| | - Jiajia Dong
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle CNRS, Sorbonne Université des Antilles, EPHE, Université des Antilles Paris Cedex France
- College of Life Science Shaanxi Normal University Xi’an Shaanxi China
| | - Tony Robillard
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle CNRS, Sorbonne Université des Antilles, EPHE, Université des Antilles Paris Cedex France
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Mallik AK, Achyuthan NS, Ganesh SR, Pal SP, Vijayakumar SP, Shanker K. Discovery of a deeply divergent new lineage of vine snake (Colubridae: Ahaetuliinae: Proahaetulla gen. nov.) from the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India with a revised key for Ahaetuliinae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218851. [PMID: 31314800 PMCID: PMC6636718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Western Ghats are well known as a biodiversity hotspot, but the full extent of its snake diversity is yet to be uncovered. Here, we describe a new genus and species of vine snake Proahaetulla antiqua gen. et sp. nov., from the Agasthyamalai hills in the southern Western Ghats. It was found to be a member of the Ahaetuliinae clade, which currently comprises the arboreal snake genera Ahaetulla, Dryophiops, Dendrelaphis and Chrysopelea, distributed in South and Southeast Asia. Proahaetulla shows a sister relationship with all currently known taxa belonging to the genus Ahaetulla, and shares ancestry with Dryophiops. In addition to its phylogenetic position and significant genetic divergence, this new taxon is also different in morphology from members of Ahaetuliinae in a combination of characters, having 12-13 partially serrated keels on the dorsal scale rows, 20 maxillary teeth and 3 postocular scales. Divergence dating reveals that the new genus is ancient, dating back to the Mid-Oligocene, and is one of the oldest persisting monotypic lineages of snakes in the Western Ghats. This discovery adds to the growing list of ancient lineages endemic to the Agasthyamalai hills and underscores the biogeographic significance of this isolated massif in the southern Western Ghats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar Mallik
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Saunak P. Pal
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Opposite Lion Gate, Fort, Mumbai, India
| | - S. P. Vijayakumar
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Kartik Shanker
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Vijayakumar SP, Pyron RA, Dinesh KP, Torsekar VR, Srikanthan AN, Swamy P, Stanley EL, Blackburn DC, Shanker K. A new ancient lineage of frog (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae: Astrobatrachinae subfam. nov.) endemic to the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6457. [PMID: 30881763 PMCID: PMC6419720 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Western Ghats (WG) is an escarpment on the west coast of Peninsular India, housing one of the richest assemblages of frogs in the world, with three endemic families. Here, we report the discovery of a new ancient lineage from a high-elevation massif in the Wayanad Plateau of the southern WG. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the lineage belongs to Natatanura and clusters with Nyctibatrachidae, a family endemic to the WG/Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot. Based on geographic distribution, unique morphological traits, deep genetic divergence, and phylogenetic position that distinguishes the lineage from the two nyctibatrachid subfamilies Nyctibatrachinae Blommers-Schlösser, 1993 and Lankanectinae Dubois & Ohler, 2001, we erect a new subfamily Astrobatrachinae subfam. nov. (endemic to the WG, Peninsular India), and describe a new genus Astrobatrachus gen. nov. and species, Astrobatrachus kurichiyana sp. nov. The discovery of this species adds to the list of deeply divergent and monotypic or depauperate lineages with narrow geographic ranges in the southern massifs of the WG. The southern regions of the WG have long been considered geographic and climatic refugia, and this new relict lineage underscores their evolutionary significance. The small range of this species exclusively outside protected areas highlights the significance of reserve forest tracts in the WG in housing evolutionary novelty. This reinforces the need for intensive sampling to uncover new lineages and advance our understanding of the historical biogeography of this ancient landmass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seenapuram Palaniswamy Vijayakumar
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert Alexander Pyron
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - K. P. Dinesh
- Western Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Varun R. Torsekar
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Priyanka Swamy
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Edward L. Stanley
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David C. Blackburn
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kartik Shanker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Diversification of shrub frogs (Rhacophoridae, Pseudophilautus) in Sri Lanka – Timing and geographic context. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 132:14-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Thorpe CJ, Lewis TR, Fisher MC, Wierzbicki CJ, Kulkarni S, Pryce D, Davies L, Watve A, Knight ME. Climate structuring of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection in the threatened amphibians of the northern Western Ghats, India. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180211. [PMID: 30110422 PMCID: PMC6030269 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a pathogen killing amphibians worldwide. Its impact across much of Asia is poorly characterized. This study systematically surveyed amphibians for Bd across rocky plateaus in the northern section of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India, including the first surveys of the plateaus in the coastal region. These ecosystems offer an epidemiological model system since they are characterized by differing levels of connectivity, edaphic and climatic conditions, and anthropogenic stressors. One hundred and eighteen individuals of 21 species of Anura and Apoda on 13 plateaus ranging from 67 to 1179 m above sea level and 15.89 to 17.92° North latitude were sampled. Using qPCR protocols, 79% of species and 27% of individuals tested were positive for Bd. This is the first record of Bd in caecilians in India, the Critically Endangered Xanthophryne tigerina and Endangered Fejervarya cf. sahyadris. Mean site prevalence was 28.15%. Prevalence below the escarpment was 31.2% and 25.4% above. The intensity of infection (GE) showed the reverse pattern. Infection may be related to elevational temperature changes, thermal exclusion, inter-site connectivity and anthropogenic disturbance. Coastal plateaus may be thermal refuges from Bd. Infected amphibians represented a wide range of ecological traits posing interesting questions about transmission routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Thorpe
- Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Todd R. Lewis
- Westfield, 4 Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4PJ, UK
| | - Matthew C. Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Claudia J. Wierzbicki
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Siddharth Kulkarni
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, 2121 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - David Pryce
- Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Lewis Davies
- Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Aparna Watve
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Apsinga Road, PO Box No. 09, Tuljapur 413 601, District-Osmanabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mairi E. Knight
- Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
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Thorpe CJ, Lewis TR, Kulkarni S, Watve A, Gaitonde N, Pryce D, Davies L, Bilton DT, Knight ME. Micro-habitat distribution drives patch quality for sub-tropical rocky plateau amphibians in the northern Western Ghats, India. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194810. [PMID: 29579111 PMCID: PMC5868820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of patch quality for amphibians is frequently overlooked in distribution models. Here we demonstrate that it is highly important for the persistence of endemic and endangered amphibians found in the threatened and fragile ecosystems that are the rocky plateaus in Western Maharashtra, India. These plateaus are ferricretes of laterite and characterise the northern section of the Western Ghats/Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot, the eighth most important global hotspot and one of the three most threatened by population growth. We present statistically supported habitat associations for endangered and data-deficient Indian amphibians, demonstrating significant relationships between individual species and their microhabitats. Data were collected during early monsoon across two seasons. Twenty-one amphibian taxa were identified from 14 lateritic plateaus between 67 and 1179m above sea level. Twelve of the study taxa had significant associations with microhabitats using a stepwise analysis of the AICc subroutine (distLM, Primer-e, v7). Generalist taxa were associated with increased numbers of microhabitat types. Non-significant associations are reported for the remaining 9 taxa. Microhabitat distribution was spatially structured and driven by climate and human activity. Woody plants were associated with 44% of high-elevation taxa. Of the 8 low-elevation taxa 63% related to water bodies and 60% of those were associated with pools. Rock size and abundance were important for 33% of high elevation specialists. Three of the 4 caecilians were associated with rocks in addition to soil and stream presence. We conclude the plateaus are individualistic patches whose habitat quality is defined by their microhabitats within climatic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Thorpe
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CJT); (TRL)
| | - Todd R. Lewis
- Westfield, Wareham, Dorset, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CJT); (TRL)
| | | | - Aparna Watve
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Taljapur, Osmanabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Nikhil Gaitonde
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Kodigehalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - David Pryce
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis Davies
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - David T. Bilton
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Mairi E. Knight
- Ecology and Evolution Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
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Bell RC, Webster GN, Whiting MJ. Breeding biology and the evolution of dynamic sexual dichromatism in frogs. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:2104-2115. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R. C. Bell
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California Berkeley CA USA
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - G. N. Webster
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia
| | - M. J. Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia
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Smart U, Sarker GC, Arifin U, Harvey MB, Sidik I, Hamidy A, Kurniawan N, Smith EN. A New Genus and Two New Species of Arboreal Toads from the Highlands of Sumatra with a Phylogeny of Sundaland Toad Genera. HERPETOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-16-00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Utpal Smart
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Goutam C. Sarker
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Umilaela Arifin
- Centrum für Naturkunde - Zoologisches Museum, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael B. Harvey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Broward College, 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie, FL 33314, USA
| | - Irvan Sidik
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences–LIPI, Widyasatwa Loka Jl. Raya Jakarta Bogor km 46, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Amir Hamidy
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences–LIPI, Widyasatwa Loka Jl. Raya Jakarta Bogor km 46, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Nia Kurniawan
- Department of Biology, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Eric N. Smith
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
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Garg S, Biju SD. Molecular and Morphological Study of Leaping Frogs (Anura, Ranixalidae) with Description of Two New Species. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166326. [PMID: 27851823 PMCID: PMC5112961 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The monotypic anuran family Ranixalidae is endemic to India, with a predominant distribution in the Western Ghats, a region that is home to several unique amphibian lineages. It is also one of the three ancient anuran families that diversified on the Indian landmass long before several larger radiations of extant frogs in this region. In recent years, ranixalids have been subjected to DNA barcoding and systematic studies. Nearly half of the presently recognized species in this family have been described over the last three years, along with recognition of a new genus to accommodate three previously known members. Our surveys in the Western Ghats further suggest the presence of undescribed diversity in this group, thereby increasing former diversity estimates. Based on rapid genetic identification using a mitochondrial gene, followed by phylogenetic analyses with an additional nuclear gene and detailed morphological studies including examination of museum specimens, new collections, and available literature, here we describe two new species belonging to the genus Indirana from the Western Ghats states of Karnataka and Kerala. We also provide new genetic and morphological data along with confirmed distribution records for all the species known prior to this study. This updated systematic revision of family Ranixalidae will facilitate future studies and provide vital information for conservation assessment of these relic frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Garg
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India
| | - S. D. Biju
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India
- * E-mail:
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Gaitonde N, Giri V, Kunte K. ‘On the rocks’: reproductive biology of the endemic toad Xanthophryne (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Western Ghats, India. J NAT HIST 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2016.1200686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Gaitonde
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bellary road, Bengaluru, India
- Manipal University, Manipal, India
| | - Varad Giri
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bellary road, Bengaluru, India
| | - Krushnamegh Kunte
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bellary road, Bengaluru, India
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Chandramouli S, Amarasinghe AT. Taxonomic Reassessment of the Arboreal Toad GenusPedostibesGünther 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae) and Some Allied Oriental Bufonid Genera. HERPETOLOGICA 2016. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-15-00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chandramouli SR, Vasudevan K, Harikrishnan S, Dutta SK, Janani SJ, Sharma R, Das I, Aggarwal RK. A new genus and species of arboreal toad with phytotelmonous larvae, from the Andaman Islands, India (Lissamphibia, Anura, Bufonidae). Zookeys 2016:57-90. [PMID: 26877687 PMCID: PMC4740822 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A new bufonid amphibian, belonging to a new monotypic genus, is described from the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Republic of India, based on unique external morphological and skeletal characters which are compared with those of known Oriental and other relevant bufonid genera. Blythophrynegen. n. is distinguished from other bufonid genera by its small adult size (mean SVL 24.02 mm), the presence of six presacral vertebrae, an absence of coccygeal expansions, presence of an elongated pair of parotoid glands, expanded discs at digit tips and phytotelmonous tadpoles that lack oral denticles. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the new taxon (that we named as Blythophryneberyetgen. et sp. n.) was ascertained by comparing its 12S and 16S partial genes with those of Oriental and other relevant bufonid lineages. Resulting molecular phylogeny supports the erection of a novel monotypic genus for this lineage from the Andaman Islands of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Chandramouli
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand, India; Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Karthikeyan Vasudevan
- CSIR-CCMB, Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, Pillar 162, PVNR Expressway, Hyderguda, Attapur Ring Road, Hyderabad 500048, India
| | - S Harikrishnan
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sushil Kumar Dutta
- Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), Nature House, Gaudasahi, Angul, Odisha, India
| | - S Jegath Janani
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Sciences (CSIR-CCMB), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Richa Sharma
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Sciences (CSIR-CCMB), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Indraneil Das
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Ramesh K Aggarwal
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Sciences (CSIR-CCMB), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
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Chan KO, Grismer LL, Zachariah A, Brown RM, Abraham RK. Polyphyly of Asian Tree Toads, Genus Pedostibes Günther, 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae), and the Description of a New Genus from Southeast Asia. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0145903. [PMID: 26788854 PMCID: PMC4720419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian Tree Toad genus Pedostibes, as currently understood, exhibits a conspicuously disjunct distribution, posing several immediate questions relating to the biogeography and taxonomy of this poorly known group. The type species, P. tuberculosus and P. kempi, are known only from India, whereas P. hosii, P. rugosus, and P. everetti are restricted to Southeast Asia. Several studies have shown that these allopatric groups are polyphyletic, with the Indian Pedostibes embedded within a primarily South Asian clade of toads, containing the genera Adenomus, Xanthophryne, and Duttaphrynus. Southeast Asian Pedostibes on the other hand, are nested within a Southeast Asian clade, which is the sister lineage to the Southeast Asian river toad genus Phrynoidis. We demonstrate that Indian and Southeast Asian Pedostibes are not only allopatric and polyphyletic, but also exhibit significant differences in morphology and reproductive mode, indicating that the Southeast Asian species’ are not congeneric with the true Pedostibes of India. As a taxonomic solution, we describe a new genus, Rentapiagen. nov. to accommodate the Southeast Asian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Onn Chan
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - L. Lee Grismer
- Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | | | - Rafe M. Brown
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Robin Kurian Abraham
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
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Gopalan SV, Kumar SU, Kumar KS, George S. Genetic diversity of an endangered bush frog Pseudophilautus wynaadensis (Jerdon, 1854 "1853") from the south of Palghat gap, Western Ghats, India. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2014; 27:3846-3851. [PMID: 25231715 DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2014.958673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Samples of endemic endangered frog species, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis, were assessed with the aid of mitochondrial DNA markers in order to study the pattern of intra specific genetic variation of samples lying south of Palghat gap of the Western Ghats, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Partial mitochondrial CO1 and 16S gene sequences were obtained for 21 specimens. RESULTS Phylogenetic analysis revealed that samples from either side of Palghat gap belonged to a single species. The population of frogs south of Palghat gap showed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity. The relative gene heterogeneity statistics were low and the gene flow estimates were very high. The AMOVA results showed that 96.05% of the total variations were within the populations. CONCLUSION It was concluded that high genetic diversity with relatively little geographic differentiation was found in the populations of P. wynaadensis lying south of Palghat gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujith V Gopalan
- a Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Division , Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology , Thiruvanathapuram , Kerala , India
| | - Suresh U Kumar
- a Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Division , Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology , Thiruvanathapuram , Kerala , India
| | - Kiran S Kumar
- a Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Division , Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology , Thiruvanathapuram , Kerala , India
| | - Sanil George
- a Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Chemical Biology Division , Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology , Thiruvanathapuram , Kerala , India
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Van Bocxlaer I, Biju SD, Willaert B, Giri VB, Shouche YS, Bossuyt F. Mountain-associated clade endemism in an ancient frog family (Nyctibatrachidae) on the Indian subcontinent. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2011; 62:839-47. [PMID: 22178364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Night frogs (Nyctibatrachidae) form a family endemic to the Western Ghats, a hill chain along the west coast of southern India. Extant members of this family are descendants of a lineage that originated on the subcontinent during its longtime isolation in the Late Cretaceous. Because the evolutionary history of Nyctibatrachidae has always been tightly connected to the subcontinent, these tropically-adapted frogs are an ideal group for studying how patterns of endemism originated and evolved during the Cenozoic in the Western Ghats. We used a combined set of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA fragments to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 120 ingroup specimens of all known species of Nyctibatrachidae. Our analyses indicate that, although this family had an early origin on the Indian subcontinent, the early diversification of extant nyctibatrachids happened only in the Eocene. Biogeographic analyses show that dispersal across the Palghat gap and Shencottah gap was limited, which led to clade endemism within mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. It is likely that multiple biota have been affected simultaneously by these prominent geographical barriers. Our study therefore further highlights the importance of considering the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot as an assemblage of distinct mountain regions, each containing endemism and deserving attention in future conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Van Bocxlaer
- Biology Department, Amphibian Evolution Lab, Unit of Ecology & Systematics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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Gaikwad SS, Ghate HV, Ghaskadbi SS, Patole MS, Shouche YS. DNA barcoding of nymphalid butterflies (Nymphalidae: Lepidoptera) from Western Ghats of India. Mol Biol Rep 2011; 39:2375-83. [PMID: 21670958 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-0988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have checked the utility of DNA barcoding for species identification of nymphalid butterflies from Western Ghats of India by using 650 bp sequence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. Distinct DNA barcoding gap (i.e. difference between intraspecies and interspecies nucleotide divergence), exists between species studied here. When our sequences were compared with the sequences of the conspecifics submitted from different geographic regions, nine cases of deep intraspecies nucleotide divergences were observed. In spite of this, NJ (Neighbour Joining) clustering analysis successfully discriminated all species. Observed cases of deep intraspecies nucleotide divergences certainly warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Gaikwad
- Department of Zoology, Modern College, Shivajinagar, Pune, 411005 Maharashtra, India
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