Arpitha J, Naveen R S, Priti Hebbar
Department of Life Sciences; CHRIST (Deemed to be University); Hosur Road; Bangalore 5600029; India; EDGE of Existence Programme; Conservation and Policy; Zoological Society of London; London; NW1 4RY; UK.
EDGE of Existence Programme; Conservation and Policy; Zoological Society of London; London; NW1 4RY; UK; Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History; Anaikatty; Coimbatore; Tamil Nadu; India.
Zootaxa. 2025 Mar 13;5604(2):167-175. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5604.2.6.
Western Ghats of India is known for its high anuran diversity; however, the larvae of many anurans are still unknown. Studies on anuran larvae can provide insights into their natural history and evolution, help identify cryptic species and aid in amphibian conservation. In this study, we describe the tadpoles of two poorly known species Indirana bhadrai and Micrixalus candidus from the Western Ghats, India using morphology and molecular techniques and provide details on their natural history. The morphology of the tadpoles reflected their habitats. The tadpole of Indirana bhadrai was semiterrestrial, adapted to wet rocky slopes while the tadpole of Micrixalus candidus was fossorial, found under small rocks and sand in slow-flowing streams. Molecular analysis using the 16S rRNA gene showed 100% identity between tadpoles of Indirana bhadrai, and Micrixalus candidus with their adults respectively. The larval descriptions provided in this study can help understand the ecology of the frogs from the Western Ghats.
印度西高止山脉以其丰富的无尾目动物多样性而闻名；然而，许多无尾目动物的幼体仍然不为人所知。对无尾目动物幼体的研究可以深入了解它们的自然历史和进化，有助于识别隐性物种，并有助于两栖动物的保护。在本研究中，我们利用形态学和分子技术描述了来自印度西高止山脉的两种鲜为人知的物种——巴德雷印蛙（Indirana bhadrai）和透明小蛙（Micrixalus candidus）的蝌蚪，并提供了它们自然历史的详细信息。蝌蚪的形态反映了它们的栖息地。巴德雷印蛙的蝌蚪是半陆生的，适应潮湿的岩石斜坡，而透明小蛙的蝌蚪是穴居的，在缓流溪流中的小岩石和沙子下被发现。使用16S rRNA基因的分子分析表明，巴德雷印蛙和透明小蛙的蝌蚪与它们的成体分别具有100%的同一性。本研究中提供的幼体描述有助于了解西高止山脉青蛙的生态。
