Rana Cyanophlyctis Research Articles

Carryover effects of embryonic predation risk on larval growth, behaviour, morphology, and metamorphic traits of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

Carryover effects of embryonic predation risk on larval growth, behaviour, morphology, and metamorphic traits of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Anurans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Aims: This paper presents a comprehensive study of the Anuran fauna of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, which was conducted across nine districts. After the collection and identification of specimens from the study area, their diversity, relative abundance (RA), and distribution (C) were evaluated to understand their distribution patterns within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
 Place and Duration of Study: Anurans were collected from the districts of Peshawar, Dir, Bannu, Buner, Charsadda, Chitral, Karak, Lakki Marwat, and Haripur of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July to September 2021 and from April to June 2022.
 Study Design: Visual encounter surveys were conducted during different seasons, encompassing both daytime and nighttime observations near various water bodies such as water channels, small pools, and microhabitats suitable for the anurans. Emphasis was placed on the collection of specimens from diverse habitats. The collected specimens underwent thorough morphological and morphometric analyses to accurately identify the species.
 Methodology: In total, 190 specimens were collected and transported to the laboratory for identification. The collected specimens were euthanized, carefully arranged, and preserved in glass jars filled with a 10% formalin solution. Accurate species identification was achieved through the utilization of authentic literature, updated taxonomic keys, and observation and measurement of morphological and morphometric parameters.
 Results: The specimens that were examined and identified belonged to two families, Bufonidae and Dicroglossidae, and five genera. Two genera were observed in the Bufonidae family, Duttaphrynus and Bufotes. The Dicroglossidae family comprised three genera: Hoplobatrachus, Euphlyctis, and Allopaa. In the current study, seven different species were identified: Duttaphrynus stomaticus, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Bufotes surdus from the Bufonidae family, and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Euphlyctis kalasgramensis, and Allopaa hazarensis from the Dicroglossidae family. Duttaphrynus stomaticus was the most abundant species found at all the study sites (C=88.8% and RA=44.2%), whereas Euphlyctis kalasgramensis and Allopaa hazarensis were sporadic (C=11.1% and RA=0.52%), and (C=11.1% and RA=2.10%), respectively. Furthermore, this research unveils the first-ever report of Euphlyctis kalasgramensis within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically in the Peshawar District, while Allopaa hazarensis was solely reported in the Dir district.
 Conclusion: The study found that Duttaphrynus stomaticus exhibited a vast distribution across all nine districts surveyed. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, being an ecologically diverse area, holds diverse anuran fauna. Taxonomic revision of the anuran fauna using both classical and molecular approaches may yield several new taxa. This will further help in the study of biology and conservation as well as the ecological role of anurans. The current taxonomic work may require improvement.

Phylogenetic relationships of two species of Haematoloechus (Trematoda: Haematoloechidae) infecting Euphlyctis spp. from the biodiversity hotspot, Western Ghats, India.

During a parasitological survey in the biodiversity hotspot, two species of the digenetic trematode, Haematoloechus from the lungs of Indian skipper frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and the Indian green frog, E. hexadactylus inhabiting the biodiversity hotspot, Western Ghats, India, were found and described using morphological and molecular tools. Morphological examinations indicated that the two species are Haematoloechus almorai Pande, 1937 and H. (H.) variegatus capyristes (Klein, 1905; Ingles, 1932) Odening, 1958 as previously described in the original manuscripts but with some morphological differences. The ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) and 28S gene of ribosomal DNA sequences were performed for phylogenetic studies showed that the sequences of these species did not match with any of the previously reported sequences on GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis placed H. almorai and H. (H.) variegatus capyristes in a well-supported clade under the genus Haematoloechus. This is the first molecular study of present Haematoloechus species from the Western Ghats, India and discussed their phylogenetic position.

Effect of water physicochemistry on amphibian abundance in Sub-tropical Kupinde Lake of the Nepal Himalaya

Abstract. Sunar CB, Pandey N, Chand B, Upadhyaya LP, Thapa B, Pant RR, Khanal L. 2022. Effect of water physicochemistry on amphibian abundance in Sub-tropical Kupinde Lake of the Nepal Himalaya. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 12: 92-99. Amphibians are the key bioindicators of ecosystem health. Their diversity and abundance are affected by the physicochemical factors of the environment. Wetland ecosystems of the Himalaya are under the threat of human activities and current climate change. However, hydrochemical status and faunal diversity are poorly documented in the wetlands of western Nepal. This study characterized the physicochemical parameters of water in Kupinde Lake in the Salyan District of Karnali Province, Nepal, and established the association between amphibian abundance and those parameters. A total of 24 samples of surface water were collected at the lake's edge during October 2021, and 18 physical and chemical parameters were analyzed. Visual encounter surveys were conducted at each water sampling site to count amphibians within a circle of two meters in diameter. The lake water was slightly alkaline (mean pH = 8.16±0.29), and the major dominating cation and anion were Ca2+ and HCO3-, respectively. Amphibian abundance was positively correlated with pH, HCO3-, and NH4+ and negatively correlated with EC, TDS, CO2, Cl-, and Na+. The polynomial regression analysis revealed amphibian abundance has a consistent positive association with water pH (r2 = 0.497, p < 0.05) and unimodal relation with the temperature (r2 = 0.188, p < 0.05). Low amphibian diversity and dominance of a single amphibian species, the Indian skipper frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Schneider, 1799), indicate poor ecosystem health of the lake. The findings of this study provide baseline information for monitoring and managing the Kupinde Lake.

Abundance and diversity of herpetofauna population of Korapuzha Estuary, India: A transitioning shoreline ecosystem

A comprehensive assessment of the Korapuzha Estuary's herpetofauna species diversity was done from September 2018 to September 2019. Amphibians and reptiles were spotted along a terrestrial stretch using active searching; call survey; road-kill analysis and direct observation (opportunistic spotting). The findings reveal 16 species of reptiles from 11 families and 1 amphibian. The Indian Skipper Frog is the sole amphibian that has been identified. 4 species of the order Testudines and 12 species of the order Squamata were identified among all the reptiles. The Common Indian Monitor, garden lizard, Indian Cobra, Oriental Ratsnake, and Indian Black Turtle, were the most frequently seen reptiles. The banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus) was recorded for the first time in Kerala's marshes. Pelochelys cantorii (Cantor's Giant Softshell), a species of reptile fauna, is listed on IUCN redlist as a critically endangered species. The frequency of herpetofauna is significantly limited owing to the region's close vicinity to the ocean, which prevents taxa from dispersing despite the fact that these organisms are difficult to locate due to their paradoxical activities.

THE PREVALENCE OF HELMINTH PARASITES IN AMPHIBIA FROM SAMASPUR BIRD SANCTUARY, A RAMSAR SITE IN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Amphibian hosts from the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary were investigated for the study of helminth parasites. A total of four species of hosts were studied and revealed the infection of five species of helminth parasites. In the study area, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis harboured four species namely, Cosmocerca sp., Rhabdias sp., Ganeo tigrinum and Pleurogenoides gastroporus with prevalence of 0.33% each and intensity of 1.33, 1.66, 0.33 and 2 respectively. While, Duttaphrynus stomaticus was infected by a single species, Cosmocerca kalesari with prevalence of 1%, intensity 4-6 and abundance of 4.66. No infection was found in Polypedates maculatus and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus. This is the first study on the helminth parasites in Amphibian hosts from Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh.

Does atrazine induce changes in predator recognition, growth, morphology, and metamorphic traits of larval skipper frogs (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis)?

Atrazine, an info disruptor, interferes with the olfaction of aquatic organisms by impairing the chemosensory system. Consequently, it affects behavior, physiology, and growth increases mortality and infections, and suppresses the immune system of aquatic animals. In this study, we wanted to determine the sensitivity of larval Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis to different concentrations of atrazine by assessing their antipredator behavior, growth, morphology, and metamorphic traits. The results indicate that exposure to atrazine did not affect the survival of tadpoles. However, it caused retarded growth at higher concentrations. Interestingly, the antipredator behavior of tadpoles toward conspecific alarm cues decreased in a dose-dependent manner with an increase in the concentration of atrazine. Tadpoles exposed to low concentrations of atrazine had deeper, wider bodies and tails while those exposed to higher concentrations had shallower and narrower bodies with shallower tail muscles. However, at low and moderate concentrations atrazine did not affect size at metamorphosis, it extended the larval duration at higher concentrations.

Shedding light on taxonomic chaos: Diversity and distribution of South Asian skipper frogs (Anura, Dicroglossidae, Euphlyctis)

A known haven of amphibian diversity, South Asia is also a hotspot of taxonomic confusions. Vastly distributed from Saudi Arabia to Myanmar, the dicroglossid genus Euphlyctis (“skittering” or “skipper” frogs) is a representative example. Combining phylogenetic analyses with 16S barcoding and genome size variation of 403 frogs from 136 localities, we examined genetic diversity and distributions across the whole range of Euphlyctis, with a particular focus on taxonomic and nomenclatural issues. We recovered two deeply divergent mitochondrial clades totalling ten lineages that we considered as species, and eight could be attributed valid taxonomic names and junior synonyms. The first clade (subgenus Phrynoderma) is confirmed in South India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and comprises six species: E. karaavali, E. hexadactyla, E. aloysii, E. kerala and two undescribed taxa. Five are endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot and four of them form the E. aloysii species complex. The second clade (subgenus Euphlyctis) extends across South Asia and neighbouring regions, and comprises four species: E. ehrenbergii, E. jaladhara, and two widespread lineages erroneously called “E. mudigere” and “E. kalasgramensis” in recent literature, while their oldest valid names appear to be E. cyanophlyctis and E. adolfi, respectively. Additional analyses on this pair of taxa highlighted strong phenotypic resemblance, notable intraspecific phylogeographic structure, and an extensive contact zone along the southern slopes of the Himalaya, with putative signs of genetic introgression. Through an independent investigation of the historical literature, we identified overlooked issues and misconceptions regarding the status of many old and recent taxa, and proposed solutions, such as transferring “E. ghoshi” to the genus Limnonectes. Our study illustrates how range-wide genetic barcoding can clarify taxonomic confusions, and we call to solve remaining issues prior to the description of new taxa.

Experience window influences development and retention of memory to recognize predators in the larval skipper frogs

Experience window influences development and retention of memory to recognize predators in the larval skipper frogs

Discovery of a new species of Euphlyctis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the western coastal plains of peninsular India.

The aquatic frog genus Euphlyctis is now considered under two separate genera- Euphlyctis Fitzinger and Phrynoderma Fitzinger, with four valid species in each genus, respectively. The current distribution range of the genus Phrynoderma is restricted to peninsular India and Bangladesh, with a probability of availability in Sri Lanka. The genus Euphlyctis has a wide range of distribution from the Arabian Peninsula and the South Asian countries, with a few historical descriptions treated as junior synonyms of the species Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis in India. A new species of skittering frog, Euphlyctis jaladhara sp. nov. is described here from the surroundings of the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary of Kerala, India, which has a predominant distribution in the western coastal plains of peninsular India and some parts of the Western Ghats. The new species has distinct morphological characters and a high genetic distance that distinguishes it from the sympatric species. Discussions are made concerning the validity of the species E. ghoshi and E. kalasgramensis.

Euphlyctis Cyanophlyctis Schneider, 1799 (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) in district Lower Dir, Pakistan.

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (the skittering frog) is one of the most widespread species in Pakistan. Present study was aimed to know the presence of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis in urban and rural areas of Lower Dir, the North-western Pakistan. A total of 33 frogs were collected, including 15 from rural and 18 from urban areas. The frogs were caught by hands covered with gloves instead of using nets. The collection was managed from August to October 2016 and from April to May 2018. Morphometric analysis, coloration as well as photographs of the frogs have been provided in detail. Skittering frogs were seen frequent in swampy areas near the water bodies. These frogs were mostly seen after sunset.

Morphological and Molecular Description of a New Species Haematoloechus dehradunensis sp. nov. (Plagiorchiidae: Haematoloechinae) from the Lungs of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Dehradun, along with a Note on H. singaporensis Yuen, 1962, a New Record to India.

Morphological and molecular description of a new species of Haematoloechus dehradunensis sp. nov. collected from the lungs of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider 1799) from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India and reporting first record of H. singaporensis from India. Digeneans were fixed in AFA (alcohol-formalin-acetic acid), stained with Borax's carmine, studied and photomicrographed with a BX53 DIC/BF Olympus research microscope. Molecular studies were done by DNA isolation using Qiagen, DNeasy® Blood and Tissue Kit and PCR amplification using r-DNA ITS-1 marker situated between 18S and 1.58S gene. The new species is differentiated from other known species of Haematoloechus in having larger oral sucker, kidney-shaped ovary and oval-lobed testes. H. singaporensis collected from E. cyanophlyctis represents a first record for India and a new host record. ITS sequences submitted and compared at NCBI GenBank support the uniqueness of the new species.

Phylogenetic position of Tremiorchis ranarum Mehra and Negi, 1926 (Trematoda: Plagiorchiidae) with remark on this monotypic genus.

Tremiorchis is a monotypic genus of digenetic trematode (Plagiorchiidae: Plagiorchiinae), infecting the frogs Rana tigrina (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) and R. cyanophlyctis (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis). Metacercaria use to infect Rana tigrina (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) and R. cyanophlyctis (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) as intermediate hosts, while the cercaria stage found from apple snail, Pila virens. Adults of T. ranarum harbor mature frogs of H. tigerinus and E. cyanophlyctis. Besides the frequent infection of Tremiorchis, no DNA sequence data are currently available for this monotypic genus. The present communication, deals with the sequence data for nuclear ribosomal genes, 18S, small internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 28S to molecularly characterize T. ranarum. Besides this, phylogenetic relationship among the members of the Plagiorchiida is also discussed in detail. An attempt has also been made to provide detailed molecular affinities of T. ranarum with other trematode genera.

Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript peptide (CART) in the tadpole brain: Response to different energy states

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) is an anorexigenic neuropeptide known to play a key role in energy homeostasis across the vertebrate phyla. In the current study, we have investigated the response of the CART immunoreactive system to varying energy states in the brain of a tadpole model. The pro-metamorphic tadpoles of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis were fasted, or intracranially injected with glucose or 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG; an antagonist to glucose inducing glucoprivation) and the response of the CART containing system in various neuroanatomical areas was studied using immunohistochemistry. Glucose administration increased the CART immunoreactivity in the entopeduncular neurons (EN), preoptic area (POA), ventral hypothalamus (vHy) and the Edinger Westphal nucleus (EW) while CART positive cells decrease in response to fasting and glucoprivation. A substantial decrease in CART was noted in the EW nucleus of tadpoles injected with 2DG. These regions might contain the glucose-sensing neurons and regulate food intake in anurans. Therefore, we speculate that the function of central CART and its antagonistic action with NPY in food and feeding circuitry of anurans is evolutionary conserved and might be responsible for glucose homeostasis.

Herpetofauna assemblage in two watershed areas of Kumoan Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

We surveyed herpetofauna along the poorly-explored region of two watersheds of Kumoan Himalaya, Dabka and Khulgarh. Adaptive cluster method was used to collect forest floor reptiles, and stream transect was used for stream reptiles and amphibians. In total, 18 species of reptiles were recorded in two watersheds, with 15 and nine species recorded in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Forest floor density of reptiles was 87.5/ha in Dabka and 77.7/ha in Khulgarh. In terms of species, Asymblepharus ladacensis and Lygosoma punctatus density were highest in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Eight species of amphibians were recorded in Dabka with a density of 9.4/ha and four species in Khulgarh with density of 5.2/ha. In both watersheds, density of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis was highest. Reptilian and amphibian diversity of Dabka was 1.52 and 1.23, respectively, and in Khulgarh 0.43 and 0.23, respectively. In both watersheds reptile density, diversity and richness decreased with increasing elevation. Reptile density showed a weak correlation with microhabitat features such as litter cover, litter depth, and soil moisture in both watersheds. Amphibian density was positively correlated with soil moisture, litter cover, and litter depth. Comparison showed that Dabka is richer and more diverse than Khulgarh, presumably because of the undisturbed habitat, broad and slow stream, and deeper forest litter of the former.

Temporary Water Holes May Benefit the Breeding of the Common Skipper Frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Seasonal fluctuations in adult Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis density were recorded in two permanent ponds in Southeastern Bangladesh. From a two-year dataset of seven habitat parameters, the seasonal suitability of two different pond habitats was examined to understand these fluctuations of frog density. The combined influence of the parameters on the density was significant in all three seasons. One combination was found to be optimal: water temperature of 24 °C, a pH of approximately 6, and a water depth of 2.29 m. These conditions supported more than 24 frogs per acre in the round pond. In the forestry pond, the optimal parameters were a water temperature of 27 °C and a water depth of less than 1 m, which accommodated 27 frogs per acre. The result indicates that a slight increase in any of these parameters was found to sharply lower the accommodation capacity of the studied ponds to less than half of the aforesaid densities, especially in the rainy season. During this season, the adults were found to breed in the small waterholes adjacent to the ponds. This may be the response of anuran to temporal unsuitability, for example, the depth of water and the pH of the permanent ponds.

On two new species of Mehraorchis Srivastava, 1934 (Digenea: Pleurogenidae) infecting frogs of the South Western Ghats, India

Two new species of digenetic trematodes of the genus Mehraorchis infecting the freshwater frogs, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus inhabiting the South Western Ghats, India, are described with illustrations and details on the prevalence, intensity and mean abundance of infection of Mehraorchis janardanii n. sp. and Mehraorchis euphlycti n. sp. are added. M. janardanii n. sp. and M. euphlycti n. sp. are differentiated from other Mehraorchis species based on the differences in their morphology and morphometry. The prevalence of M. janardanii n. sp. in E. cyanophlyctis is 1.29%, the intensity is 13 and the mean abundance is 0.16. The prevalence of infection of M. euphlycti n. sp. in E. cyanophlyctis is 0.64% and in H. tigerinus 6.06%, the intensity of infection is one in both the hosts and the mean abundance is 0.006 and 0.06, respectively.

Effect of water level on insect-tadpole predator-prey interactions

Predator-prey interactions are affected by environmental conditions. We examined the effect of changes in water level on the predator-prey interactions in a food web comprising of a top predator (dragonfly naiad), one mesopredator (backswimmer), and prey tadpoles of species that differ in microhabitat occupancy (neustonic and benthic). The results revealed that under high water level conditions (HWL), predators took longer to attack the neustonic tadpoles (Microhyla nilphamariensis) relative to the low-water-level condition (LWL). Dragonfly larvae mostly attacked the benthic tadpoles (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) when the water level was high. Nevertheless, under LWL, dragonfly larvae equally attacked both benthic and neustonic tadpoles. Interestingly, dragonfly larvae frequently attacked mesopredators (i.e., backswimmers) when they were presented together with neustonic tadpoles. These results demonstrated that changes in water level influence predator-prey interactions in the pond ecosystem where neustonic tadpoles faced lower risk under HWL. The reduction of water level favored the survival of benthic prey tadpoles. The presence of mesopredator (backswimmers) reduced the predation risk of neustonic tadpoles. These results help to understand how the differences in predation risks shape anti-predator responses in these prey tadpoles.

Food Habits and Helminth Parasites of Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) in the Lower Dir, Pakistan

A total of 30 specimens of Skittering frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis), (Anura: Dicroglossidae) were captured from seven selected localities in the Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan from April to August 2016. They were euthanized with the help of Chloroform (CHcl3) solution. The biometry each specimen was measured, then dissected to examine for helminth parasites and foodstuff. All helminths were isolated, washed with normal saline at room temperature, and then preserved in 70% GL ethyl alcohol. Later on, the parasites were classified and studied under the electric compound microscope. In a total of 30 specimens, 17(56.66%) were found infected with 62 helminths parasites belongs to four different species. Among four species, one was Cestodes Nematotaenia dispar species and remaining three were Nematodes i.e. Cosmocerca species, Cosmocercoides (Raillietnema species) and Strongyloides species. Cosmocerca with a percentage of 56.45% was the most dominant. In the total of 30 specimens’ alimentary canal, 10 were found empty, containing nothing while in remaining 20 were full of 9 types of food materials which included insects i.e. Ants, Beetles, Wasps, Spiders, Mosquito larvae and cockroaches, and non-living things like stone pebbles and mollusks shells. Among the serial, flies and snails were in the lowest prevalence and ants were recorded the most important component of the frog diet. Among the insects, ants have occurred in higher prevalence 44.50% and flies 1.15% with the lowest prevalence. The results emphasize the significance of further expected studies in the Dir Lower to get a good understanding of the helminth parasites with the ecological relations of their hosts.

Effects of chlorpyrifos on ultimobranchial and parathyroid glands of Indian skipper frog, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis

This study investigated effects of chlorpyrifos on ultimobranchial (UBG) and parathyroid glands (PTG) of frog, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis. Frogs were treated with chlorpyrifos for short and long term and sacrificed after 24, 48, 72 or 96 h in short term and after 5.10, 15 and 30 days in long term. Chlorpyrifos exposure provokes decrease in serum calcium levels after 48 h which persists till 96 h. There is slight decrease in the nuclear volume of UBG cells and cytoplasm depict weak staining response after 72 h. After 96 h these changes are more pronounced. PTG of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis exposed to chlorpyrifos exhibit no change till 96 h. Serum calcium decreases on day 10 after chlorpyrifos exposure which continue to fall progressively till 30 days. After 15 days chloryrifos exposure, nuclear volume of UBG exhibit decrease and follicular epithelium displays decrease in height. Follicular epithelium after 30 days chlorpyrifos exposure reduces to the extent that it becomes single layered. Few degenerating cells have been discerned. At this interval nuclear volume of ultimobranchial cells exhibits a further decrease. PTG of chlorpyrifos treated frog depicts increased nuclear volume of PTG at 10 and 15 days. The nuclei of PTG are hyperchromatic and the gland becomes compact at 15 days. After 30 days following chlorpyrifos treatment nuclear volume exhibits further increase. Also degenerating cells make their appearance. Calcium regulating glands UBG and PTG of frogs were adversely affected by exposure to chlorpyrifos which may disturb the physiological functions of the organism. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4004156