1
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Kunte K, Basu DN. Two new taxa of brush-footed butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, southern India. Zootaxa 2024; 5543:343-367. [PMID: 39646101 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.3] [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: 12/03/2024] [Indexed: 12/10/2024]
Abstract
A new species, Amathusia travancorica sp. nov. (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Amathusiini), and a new subspecies, Athyma inara sahyadriensis ssp. nov. (Nymphalidae: Limenitidinae: Limenitidini), are described from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India, based on multiple male and female specimens. The new taxa are compared with type specimens of related species and subspecies, revealing consistent differences that distinguish the new taxa. Genitalia dissections are also provided as comparative materials. Additional information is provided on historical records, distributional ranges, habits and habitat, phenology, larval host plants, and early stages. Finally, the type locality and synonymy of Pantoporia mera Swinhoe, 1917 are discussed based on comparison of type specimens (Pantoporia mera Swinhoe, 1917 syn. nov.=Athyma inara Westwood, 1850).
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Affiliation(s)
- Krushnamegh Kunte
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; GKVK Campus; Bellary Road; Bengaluru 560 065; India.
| | - Dipendra Nath Basu
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; GKVK Campus; Bellary Road; Bengaluru 560 065; India; Ashoka University; Rajiv Gandhi Education City; Sonipat; Haryana 131029; India.
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2
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Cyriac VP, Mohan AV, Dinesh KP, Torsekar V, Jayarajan A, Swamy P, Vijayakumar SP, Shanker K. Diversifying in the mountains: spatiotemporal diversification of frogs in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Evolution 2024; 78:701-715. [PMID: 38252792 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Mountain ranges are hotspots of biodiversity. However, the mechanisms that generate biodiversity patterns in different mountainous regions and taxa are not apparent. The Western Ghats (WG) escarpment in India is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot with high species richness and endemism. Most studies have either invoked paleoclimatic conditions or climatic stability in the southern WG refugium to explain this high diversity and endemism. However, the factors driving macroevolutionary change remain unexplored for most taxa. Here, we generated the most comprehensive dated phylogeny to date for ranoid frogs in the WG and tested the role of paleoclimatic events or climatic stability in influencing frog diversification. We found that the diversity of different ranoid frog clades in the WG either accumulated at a constant rate through time or underwent a decrease in speciation rates around 3-2.5 Ma during the Pleistocene glaciation cycles. We also find no significant difference in diversification rate estimates across elevational gradients and the three broad biogeographic zones in the WG (northern, central, and southern WG). However, time-for-speciation explained regional species richness within clades, wherein older lineages have more extant species diversity. Overall, we find that global paleoclimatic events have had little impact on WG frog diversification throughout most of its early history until the Quaternary and that the WG may have been climatically stable allowing lineages to accumulate and persist over evolutionary time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Philip Cyriac
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - K P Dinesh
- Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Varun Torsekar
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Aditi Jayarajan
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Priyanka Swamy
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Department of Studies in Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - S P Vijayakumar
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kartik Shanker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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3
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Kunte K, Sengupta A, Pawar U, Nawge V. A new species of silverline butterfly, Cigaritis Donzel, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India. Zootaxa 2024; 5399:85-95. [PMID: 38221173 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5399.1.7] [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: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
A new species, Cigaritis conjuncta sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), is described based on five male and four female specimens from Honey Valley, Kodagu District, Karnataka, which is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India. Cigaritis conjuncta sp. nov. is distinguished from all other congeners in India and Sri Lanka based on the following combination of diagnostic characters in the male: (a) dorsal forewing outer half, costal margin and nearly upper half of the cell black without orange markings, the remaining wing shining deep blue, (b) dorsal hindwing tornus pale orange-red with two black spots, (c) ventral forewing bands at end of discal cell conjoined, and (e) ventral hindwing subbasal and discal bands composed of spots that are not separated but conjoined to form broad bands that have irregular outlines, leaving only a narrow background colour in between. Female is similar on the ventral side, but entirely dark brown above. Male and female genitalia are dissected and figured for two paratypes of each sex, and natural history notes on the species are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krushnamegh Kunte
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; GKVK Campus; Bellary Road; Bengaluru 560 065; India.
| | - Ashok Sengupta
- Indian Foundation for Butterflies Trust. C-703; Alpine Pyramid Apts; near Canara Bank Layout; Kodigehalli; Bengaluru; Karnataka 560097; India.
| | - Ujwala Pawar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; GKVK Campus; Bellary Road; Bengaluru 560 065; India.
| | - Viraj Nawge
- National Centre for Biological Sciences; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; GKVK Campus; Bellary Road; Bengaluru 560 065; India.
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4
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Binoy C, Nasser M, Santhosh S. The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot: the example of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) with the description of a new species of Phasgonophora Westwood and a review of the regional species. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2022.2134059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Binoy
- Insect Ecology and Ethology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Thenhipalam, India
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Malabar Christian College, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kozhikode, India
| | - M. Nasser
- Insect Ecology and Ethology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Thenhipalam, India
| | - S. Santhosh
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Malabar Christian College, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kozhikode, India
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5
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M.C. Sruthi, Thomas SK. Checklist of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, a dry forest in the rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats, India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2022. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7613.14.8.21619-21641] [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 first report on the composition of carabids from a natural forest in peninsular India as well as from a dry forest belt in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats is provided, with data on the subfamilies, tribes, genera, species, geographic range, collection techniques, and the relevant literature details for all the listed species. Fifty-four species belonging to 11 subfamilies and 31 genera were recorded. Harpalinae, Lebiinae, and Scaritinae with 15, 14, and seven species, respectively, are the species-rich subfamilies. The species list also includes two first records from India, four first records from southern India, and six species endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hot spot.
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6
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Nameer P, M.S. Syamili, A.F. Katakath, U.S. Amal, M.S. Abhin, A. Devarajan, S. Sajitha, T. Arun, J. Jobin. Database of amphibian vouchers and records available at the Kerala Agricultural University Natural History Museum in Thrissur and an updated checklist of amphibians of Kerala, India. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2021. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.6671.13.10.19391-19430] [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 amphibian database of the Centre for Wildlife Studies of Kerala Agricultural University has the data that are either available as voucher specimens with the Kerala Agricultural University Natural History Museum (KAUNHM) or as photo vouchers and other opportunistic records from Kerala part of the southern Western Ghats between 2008 and 2020. This repository holds information on 91 species of amphibians belonging to 10 families, of which 87% are endemic to the Western Ghats and 34% are classified under the IUCN Red List threatened categories. This study highlights the significance of such digital databases that can serve as an immense source of regional biodiversity data, and therefore, biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
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7
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Hebbar P, Anand A, K.V G. DNA barcoding indicates the range extension in an endemic frog Nyctibatrachus jog, from the Western Ghats, India. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2021; 6:2468-2474. [PMID: 34368447 PMCID: PMC8317943 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1955765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The frogs of genus Nyctibatrachus from the Western Ghats are endemic, with some taxa showing a narrow distribution range. Nyctibatrachus jog was known only from the type locality, Jog falls from Sharavathi river basin suggesting a restricted distribution. In this study, using DNA barcoding, we studied the distribution patterns of N. jog by sampling multiple river basins. 16S rRNA and Cytochrome b genes were used to distinguish N. jog from its congeners as well as to infer intra-species relationships. The results from the 16S rRNA gene showed 99% similarity of the collected individuals with the type specimen from Jog Falls confirming the identity of N. jog. The results indicate that N. jog has wide distribution extending its range in multiple river basins in the Western Ghats, India. This study also provides the Area of Occurrence and Extent of Occurrence of N. jog which could help in developing strategies for its conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Hebbar
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Anisha Anand
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gururaja K.V
- Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore, India
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8
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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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9
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Priti H, Gururaja KV, Aravind NA, Ravikanth G. Influence of microhabitat on the distribution of tadpoles of three endemic
Nyctibatrachus
species (Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hebbar Priti
- Centre for Ecological Sciences Indian Institute of Science Bangalore India
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment Bangalore India
| | | | - Neelavar Anantharam Aravind
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment Bangalore India
- Yenepoya Research Centre Yenepoya (Deemed to be university) Mangalore India
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10
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Garg S, Suyesh R, Das S, Bee MA, Biju SD. An integrative approach to infer systematic relationships and define species groups in the shrub frog genus Raorchestes, with description of five new species from the Western Ghats, India. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10791. [PMID: 33717674 PMCID: PMC7936570 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Raorchestes is a large radiation of Old World tree frogs for which the Western Ghats in Peninsular India is the major center for origin and diversification. Extensive studies on this group during the past two decades have resolved long-standing taxonomic confusions and uncovered several new species, resulting in a four-fold increase in the number of known Raorchestes frogs from this region. Our ongoing research has revealed another five new species in the genus, formally described as Raorchestes drutaahu sp. nov., Raorchestes kakkayamensis sp. nov., Raorchestes keirasabinae sp. nov., Raorchestes sanjappai sp. nov., and Raorchestes vellikkannan sp. nov., all from the State of Kerala in southern Western Ghats. Based on new collections, we also provide insights on the taxonomic identity of three previously known taxa. Furthermore, since attempts for an up-to-date comprehensive study of this taxonomically challenging genus using multiple integrative taxonomic approaches have been lacking, here we review the systematic affinities of all known Raorchestes species and define 16 species groups based on evidence from multi-gene (2,327 bp) phylogenetic analyses, several morphological characters (including eye colouration and pattern), and acoustic parameters (temporal and spectral properties, as well as calling height). The results of our study present novel insights to facilitate a better working taxonomy for this rather speciose and morphologically conserved radiation of shrub frogs. This will further enable proper field identification, provide momentum for multi-disciplinary studies, as well as assist conservation of one of the most colourful and acoustically diverse frog groups of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Garg
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Robin Suyesh
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.,Department of Environmental Studies, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Das
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, India.,EDGE of Existence programme, Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Mark A Bee
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - S D Biju
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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11
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Srirama R, Priti H, Aravind NA, Ravikanth G. Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for the Endemic Frog Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis and Cross Amplification with Other Nyctibatrachus Species from the Western Ghats, India. CURRENT HERPETOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.5358/hsj.39.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramanujam Srirama
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore 560064, INDIA
| | - Hebbar Priti
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore 560064, INDIA
| | - Neelavara Ananthram Aravind
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore 560064, INDIA
| | - Gudasalamani Ravikanth
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore 560064, INDIA
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12
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Joshi AM, Narayan EJ, Gramapurohit NP. Vocalisation and its association with androgens and corticosterone in a night frog (Nyctibatrachus humayuni) with unique breeding behaviour. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amruta M. Joshi
- Department of Zoology Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune India
| | - Edward J. Narayan
- School of Science and Health Western Sydney University Penrith New South Wales Australia
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13
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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: 1.3] [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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14
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Das A, Garg S, Hamidy A, Smith EN, Biju SD. A new species of Micryletta frog (Microhylidae) from Northeast India. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7012. [PMID: 31223526 PMCID: PMC6568283 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of frog in the microhylid genus Micryletta Dubois, 1987 from Northeast India based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species, formally described as Micryletta aishani sp. nov., is phenotypically distinct from other congeners by a suite of morphological characters such as brown to reddish-brown dorsum; dorsal skin shagreened with minute spinules; snout shape nearly truncate in dorsal and ventral view; a prominent dark streak extending from tip of the snout up to the lower abdomen; ash-grey mottling along the margins of upper and lower lip extending up to the flanks, limb margins and dorsal surfaces of hand and foot; tibiotarsal articulation reaching up to the level of armpits; absence of outer metatarsal tubercles; and absence of webbing between toes. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus are inferred based on mitochondrial data and the new taxon is found to differ from all the recognised Micryletta species by 3.5-5.9% divergence in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA. The new species was found in the states of Assam, Manipur, and Tripura, from low to moderate elevation (30-800 m asl) regions lying south of River Brahmaputra and encompassing the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. The discovery validates the presence of genus Micryletta in Northeast India based on genetic evidence, consequently confirming the extension of its geographical range, westwards from Southeast Asia up to Northeast India. Further, for nomenclatural stability of two previously known species, Microhyla inornata (= Micryletta inornata) and Microhyla steinegeri (= Micryletta steinegeri), lectotypes are designated along with detailed descriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Das
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sonali Garg
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Amir Hamidy
- Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Eric N. Smith
- Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center and Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - S. D. Biju
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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15
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Scherz MD, Hutter CR, Rakotoarison A, Riemann JC, Rödel MO, Ndriantsoa SH, Glos J, Hyde Roberts S, Crottini A, Vences M, Glaw F. Morphological and ecological convergence at the lower size limit for vertebrates highlighted by five new miniaturised microhylid frog species from three different Madagascan genera. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213314. [PMID: 30917162 PMCID: PMC6436692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Miniaturised frogs form a fascinating but poorly understood amphibian ecomorph and have been exceptionally prone to taxonomic underestimation. The subfamily Cophylinae (family Microhylidae), endemic to Madagascar, has a particularly large diversity of miniaturised species which have historically been attributed to the single genus Stumpffia largely based on their small size. Recent phylogenetic work has revealed that several independent lineages of cophyline microhylids evolved towards highly miniaturised body sizes, achieving adult snout-vent lengths under 16 mm. Here, we describe five new species belonging to three clades that independently miniaturised and that are all genetically highly divergent from their relatives: (i) a new genus (Mini gen. nov.) with three new species from southern Madagascar, (ii) one species of Rhombophryne, and (iii) one species of Anodonthyla. Mini mum sp. nov. from Manombo in eastern Madagascar is one of the smallest frogs in the world, reaching an adult body size of 9.7 mm in males and 11.3 mm in females. Mini scule sp. nov. from Sainte Luce in southeastern Madagascar is slightly larger and has maxillary teeth. Mini ature sp. nov. from Andohahela in southeast Madagascar is larger than its congeners but is similar in build. Rhombophryne proportionalis sp. nov. from Tsaratanana in northern Madagascar is unique among Madagascar's miniaturised frogs in being a proportional dwarf, exhibiting far less advanced signs of paedomorphism than other species of similar size. Anodonthyla eximia sp. nov. from Ranomafana in eastern Madagascar is distinctly smaller than any of its congeners and is secondarily terrestrial, providing evidence that miniaturisation and terrestriality may be evolutionarily linked. The evolution of body size in Madagascar's microhylids has been more dynamic than previously understood, and future studies will hopefully shed light on the interplay between ecology and evolution of these remarkably diverse frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Scherz
- Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoologisches Institut, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Systematische Zoologie, Department Biologie II, Biozentrum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Carl R. Hutter
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America
| | - Andolalao Rakotoarison
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoologisches Institut, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde–Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Serge H. Ndriantsoa
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Julian Glos
- Institute of Zoology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sam Hyde Roberts
- SEED Madagascar, London, United Kingdom
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Miguel Vences
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Zoologisches Institut, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Frank Glaw
- Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
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16
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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: 2.3] [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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Garg S, Das A, Kamei RG, Biju SD. Delineating Microhyla ornata (Anura, Microhylidae): mitochondrial DNA barcodes resolve century-old taxonomic misidentification. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2018; 3:856-861. [PMID: 33474344 PMCID: PMC7800528 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1501286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Microhyla ornata, a species originally described from the southwest coast of India in 1841, was long reported to be wide-ranging throughout South, Southeast, and East Asia. Although the name M. ornata is restricted to populations from South Asia, the species is still considered to occur widely in India and its neighboring regions. To clarify the identity and geographical distribution of M. ‘ornata’, we performed DNA barcoding using a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from 62 newly obtained samples. Our results show that this taxon is restricted to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, whereas, populations from the other parts represent three different species – M. mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, and M. nilphamariensis, creating new country records for India. Our work reemphasizes the benefits of DNA barcoding for rapidly identifying populations of widespread species and provides insights into the patterns of genetic differentiation in the M. ‘ornata’ species complex of South Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Garg
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Abhijit Das
- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India
| | - Rachunliu G Kamei
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.,Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - S D Biju
- Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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