Nest-making Frogs in India

[Mrudul Godbole]

Read this interesting article on BBC site, so thought of sharing on the forum:-

A scientist in India says he has found three rare species of frogs that make nests in which to lay their eggs.

Dr SD Biju of Delhi University says the frogs make nests after laying eggs to protect them from heat and predators.

The discovery was made in the rainforests of the Western Ghats mountain range in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka.

It comes after 20 years of intensive research carried out in Wayanad in Kerala and Coorg in Karnataka.

'Extremely rare'

The tiny frogs, which measure up to 12cm (about five inches) in length, roll leaves from top to bottom to make a cocoon and produce a sticky substance to close the ends to secure the eggs.

"These are extremely rare frogs, the only ones of their kind found in Asia," Dr Biju told the BBC.

He said the frogs differed from leaf-nesting frogs found in America and Africa as they make their nests after the females have laid the eggs.

The American and African species build the nest in the process of laying eggs, and both male and female frogs build it together.

Dr Biju says the species are seriously threatened by coffee and other plantations due to which they are losing their habitat in the forest.

"Eight years ago when I visited the area it was easy to spot them breeding during the night. But there has been a dramatic change and it's now extremely rare to spot them," he says.

You can check the article at the link below -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8233923.stm

[Sabyasachi Patra]

It is interesting to hear about this species. These kind of information reminds us how insignificant is our understanding of nature and the complex ecological relationships among the various species. A few hundred hectares of expansion of the plantations or acquiring of area for any project can simply eradicate a species like this. I wish we can save the little bit of wilderness still left in this country.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

This is interesting, thanks for sharing it.
It is sad that these treasures, maybe even those yet to be discovered, are already threatened with extinction...:-( Hope we can save the little wilderness left...