Five of 50 ‘lost’ Indian amphibian species rediscovered
18 Feb 2011
Conservationists announced yesterday that the bubble nest frog, last seen in 1937 has been rediscovered along the western coast of India.
According to S D Biju, programme coordinator, the bubble nest frog is one of five species ''rediscovered'', after earlier having been listed under the category: ''Lost!
Amphibians of India'' programme which started out looking for 50, three months ago.
The bubble nest, or Chalazodes, is a critically endangered species, which is believed, to skip the free swimming tadpole stage while completing the development inside the egg.
The dot frog (Ramanella anamalaiensis) among the four other species, was rediscovered after 73 years in Parambikulam, Kerala, according to researchers. It has been named after the Annamalai Hills in the Southwestern Ghats where it was discovered and last seen in 1937.
It was not even a confirmed species as the original specimen was lost, but it is listed as data-deficient. The narrow-mouthed frog makes loud calls from marshy areas during the monsoon, hiding for the rest of the year, under stones and logs on the forest floor or in tree holes.
