Galaxy frogs

Why in News?

According to the study, a group of seven galaxy frogs vanished, all likely to be dead, after multiple photographers descended on their habitat, causing disturbances and behavioural changes.

• Scientific Name – Melanobatrachus indicus
• Family – Microhylidae
• It is a rare, tiny, and most dazzling amphibious creature in the world that lives exclusively under rotten logs in Kerala’s Western Ghats.
• 1^st discovered in – Although they were first discovered in 1878, not much is known about them since they are difficult to find.
• Distribution – It is endemic to the Western Ghats, Kerala (India).
• Habitat – It is found primarily under rotting logs, leaf litter, rocks, and other moist ground cover within 10 m of streams or in swampy areas.
• It is found in moist evergreen forests at elevations around 1,000–1,500 m, restricted to small forest patches in the southern Western Ghats.
• Ecological Needs – It requires precise temperature & humidity (cold-blooded, highly sensitive) to survive, because they are cold-blooded animals.
• Size – Each the size of a fingertip, measures just 2-3.5 centimetres (0.8-1.4 inches).
• Appearance – Glossy black skin with blue-white speckles (galaxy-like), orange streaks on limbs, giving supernova effect.

• Unique Trait – They use their spots to communicate, making existing data about their population and breeding behaviour deficient.
• Behaviour – They are primarily nocturnal and do not produce calls, making them incredibly difficult to find.
• When threatened, they exhibit a "contraction" behaviour, arching their backs and keeping their limbs close to their bodies.
• EDGE species – These frogs are the only species in their genus, which makes them evolutionarily unique.
• Because of this, they are listed as Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species—one of the world’s most rare and threatened animals.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN - Vulnerable
• Threats – Habitat loss due to deforestation and agriculture, disturbance from photo tourism, and extremely limited distribution make it highly sensitive.

References

1. Indian Express | 7 of world’s rarest frogs presumed dead
2. Amphibia web | Melanobatrachus indicus