Resplendent Shrubfrog

Raorchestes resplendens

Raorchestes resplendens is a critically endangered species of frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae endemic to the high altitude region around the south Indian peak of Anaimudi. It has extremely short limbs and numerous macroglands and was discovered from the Anamudi summit in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India and is known only from the Eravikulam National Park.
Resplendent Shrubfrog (Raorchestes resplendens) Raorchestes resplendens, the Resplendent Shrubfrog, is a critically endangered species of frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae endemic to the high altitude region around the south Indian peak of Anaimudi. It has extremely short limbs and numerous macroglands. Geotagged,India,Raorchestes resplendens,Summer,raorchestes resplendens

Appearance

Within the generally small "Raorchestes", "Raorchestes resplendens" qualify as medium-sized frogs: males grow to a snout-vent length of 23–25 mm and females to 25–28 mm. Individuals of the species are distinguishable from all members of the genus by their bright reddish orange colour and multiple prominent glandular swellings present laterally behind the eyes, on the side of the dorsum, on the anterior side of the vent, on the dorsal side of forearm and shanks and on the posterior side of the tarsus and metatarsus. The limbs are much shorter than in other "Raorchestes". The iris is red.
Resplendent Shrub Frog || Munnar, Kerala || July 2024 The elusive Resplendent Shrub Frog, found in the Western Ghats is a highly endemic species. This species is found only 2600 meters above sea level and adapted to very specific ecological conditions. Reaching about 2.5 cm in length, these frogs are noted for their striking reddish-orange coloration and the distinctive glandular swellings on their sides and backs. Nevertheless, with fewer than 300 mature individuals estimated to be left in the wild, conservation efforts are crucial for the survival of this critically endangered beauty. Raorchestes resplendens,Resplendent Shrubfrog

Naming

The genus "Raorchestes" is named in honour of C. R. Narayan Rao in recognition of his contribution to Indian batrachology. The scientific nomen "Orchestes" is based on the first generic nomen coined for frogs of the "Philautus" group, "Orchestes" Tschudi 1838. The specific epithet "resplendens" is a Latin term meaning 'bright coloured, glittering, resplendent' referring to the bright red or orange pigmentation.

While "Raorchestes resplendens" are morphologically striking and different from other "Raorchestes", molecular phylogenetics place them clearly within that genus. This suggests rapid morphological evolution in "Raorchestes resplendens".

Distribution

The species was initially thought to live within three km2 on the Anamudi summit within the Eravikulam National Park, India but researchers found another site about 20 km away within the same national park.

Behavior

"Raorchestes resplendens" have very short limbs, and the species is characterized by pronounced crawling behaviour. It is a ground-dwelling species, while most "Raorchestes" are typically found on vegetation above the ground, some of them being arboreal.

"Raorchestes resplendens" females burrow their eggs under the moss-covered forest floor, deep inside the base of bamboo clumps. As mature eggs were found in the oviduct of a female after oviposition, females of this species may mate with more than one male and breed more than once in a single season. Parents do not tend their eggs after oviposition. As is typical for the genus, development is direct, without a free-swimming larval stage. Hatching takes place after about 3–4 weeks. Upon hatching, froglets are fully mobile and measure about 4.5 mm in snout-vent length.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Critically endangered
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyRhacophoridae
GenusRaorchestes
SpeciesR. resplendens
Photographed in
India