Dancing Frog Discovered in South India’s Forests

Dancing Frog Discovered in South India’s Forests: Species on the Brink of Extinction

Scientists have discovered 14 species of “dancing frogs” in the forests of South India. These frogs have derived their distinctive name from the somewhat unusual kicks the male frogs of this species make to attract the attention of the females during the breeding season. Scientists have found that 80% of these dancing frogs are now residing outside their protected area and their natural habitat is undergoing depletion.

This research finding is the result of a 12 year old study. Leading scientist Sathyabhama Das Biju has discussed the unusual behaviour of these frogs. According to him, what is unique about this particular species is their “foot flagging behaviour” to attract the attention of females at the time of breeding.

The male dancing frog extends stretches and whips its legs to the side in order to attract the female. The discovery of this new frog species was published in the Ceylon Journal of Science. The research was conducted in the mountain ranges extending from the Western Ghats running south from Maharashtra.

Over 14 species of these dancing frogs have been discovered in the mountainous jungles in the south. These tiny amphibians are natural acrobats because of their unusual kicks to attract their mates. The morphological descriptions and molecular DNA markers are what distinguish this frog species from others. The number of known Indian dancing frog species now extends to 24, following this exciting discovery. The Indian monsoons are of special value to this dancing frog. This is because these frogs breed after the annual monsoon within fast rushing streams of water. What is dismal is that their natural habitat is now becoming drier.

This bittersweet discovery has been likened to a Hollywood movie by University of Delhi professor and scientist Sathyabhama Das Biju because of the dire threat posed to the newly discovered dancing frogs due to global warming and climate change. Scientists have also indicated that they do not have the time or resources to collect data about the declining habitat trends. It is quite unfortunate that there is not enough funding for such research programs to ascertain the change in natural habitats due to climate change.

The lush mountain range of the Western Ghats extends nearly 1600 km from the western state of Maharashtra to the southern states of the country. This particular dancing frog displays a unique breeding behaviour and its species is equally distinctive. In a confirmation that size does matter, larger-sized frogs tend to dance more. Leg extensions are used by these male frogs toward off other males who may be advancing towards their females.

The sex ratio of these amphibians is also dismal. There is only one female for 100 males. This gender inequity is causing much aggression among the male species of the dancing frog. Professor Biju is a botanist turned herpertologist who has acquired a reputation as India’s “Frogman”. Many dozens of species of frogs have been discovered by Professor Biju during his 40 year career as a specialist in this field.

The Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They are one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The mountain ranges here hold at least 1/4th of the various Indian species of birds, animals and reptiles. Due to factors such as iron and bauxite mining as well as water pollution and unregulated farming practices, this region has become hit by changing rainfall patterns and temperature extremes due to climate change.

A 2010 Report issued by the Ministry of Environment in India has also indicated that the Ghats are going to be hit by changes in climate and rainfall patterns. The tiny frogs are no bigger than walnuts. They are one of the many species that live in this bio-diverse region. Whether it is the animal population or the human, climate change has the capacity to impact all.

With changing times and rising awareness levels, hopefully climate change and global warming will be combated. Then, the frog will continue dancing without the threat of extinction hanging over its head.