Abstract
Abstract: The Resplendent Shrub Frog, Raorchestes resplendens Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Dutta, & Bossuyt, 2010 is a Critically Endangered species endemic to the Western Ghats and was considered to be restricted to a three-square kilometer patch atop Anamudi summit. In this study, we report 36 new locations of the species from the Anamalai massif of the southern Western Ghats. Niche-based prediction modelling suggests that the species is restricted to Anamalai massif. The call description of this frog is also provided for the first time. The preferred microhabitat of the frog is Chrysopogon grass clumps in the marshy/swampy montane grassland ecosystem. Restricted to a small area with controlled burning management practiced in its habitat, R. resplendens needs immediate attention.
Highlights
There are currently 8,134 described species of amphibians (Frost 2020) and an average of 144 species described every year starting from 2004–2015 (Tapley et al 2018)
The species belongs to the beddomii clade (Vijayakumar et al 2014) and is restricted to the Anamalai massif of Western Ghats
The present study reports 36 new locations for the species including four from outside Eravikulam National Park (ENP) (Table 1 and Image 2)
Summary
There are currently 8,134 described species of amphibians (Frost 2020) and an average of 144 species described every year starting from 2004–2015 (Tapley et al 2018). One of the most diverse groups of frogs in India with the greatest number of species described since 2004 is the genus Raorchestes known to be a genus of direct developing rhacophorid frogs (Biju et al 2010). The species is known from only from its type locality, a three square kilometer patch of habitat on the Anamudi summit, the highest peak (2,695m) in Western Ghats in Eravikulam National Park (ENP) and a site approximately 20km north-east of Anamudi summit (Joseph et al 2012). Raorchestes resplendens is assessed as Critically Endangered (IUCN SSC Amphibian Species Specialist Group 2011). Eravikulam National Park (ENP, 10.083–10.333 0N & 77.00—77.166 0E) in Kerala, India This 97km national park is one of the few remaining undisturbed patches of the montane shola-grassland ecosystem in the Western Ghats. More than 60% of the park area is dominated by grasslands with shola patches in the valleys
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