Rhacophorus calcadensis

Rhacophorus calcadensis, also known as the Kalakad gliding frog,[3] Kalakkad tree frog,[1][2][4] and Langbian flying frog,[2][3] is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to the southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, India.[1][2][3] Its name refers to its type locality, the town of Kalakkad in Tamil Nadu.[2][3]

Rhacophorus calcadensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Rhacophorus
Species:
R. calcadensis
Binomial name
Rhacophorus calcadensis
Ahl, 1927
Synonyms[2]

Rhacophorus beddomii Boulenger, 1882

Description

Their size ranges from 20 to 90 mm. Dorsal coloration is pale greenish-brown with mottling on the flanks. The underbelly is fawn to pale green. Webbing of similar coloration exists between the fingers and toes. Skin flaps are found on fore and hind limbs, with a spur on each hind limb.[5]

Habitat and habits

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, montane forests, and rivers.[1] It is observed over heights of 30 m in the forest canopy during the day. They breed before or after monsoon seasons by descending to shallow pools or slow-flowing streams. Groups of four or five males vocalize around females, making a moderately loud "chuch-chrrr-chuck-chuck-chuck" call. They build foam nests on vegetation hanging over shallow pools of water. The nest is similar to, but smaller in size, than that of Rhacophorus malabaricus.[6]

It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]

References
  1. Biju, S.D.; Dasaramji Buddhe, G.; Dutta, S.; Vasudevan, K.; Srinivasulu, C. & Vijayakumar, S.P. (2016) [errata version of 2004 assessment]. "Rhacophorus calcadensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T58983A86241030. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T58983A11854267.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2022). "Rhacophorus calcadensis Ahl, 1927". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  3. "Rhacophorus calcadensis Ahl, 1927". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  4. Venkataraman, K.; Chattopadhyay, A. & Subramanian, K.A., eds. (2013). Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates). Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. 235 pp.+26 plates. [Rhacophorus calcadensis: p. 124]
  5. Gururaja.K.V. Pictorial guide to Frogs and Toads of Western Ghats, Gubbi Labs, India. ISBN 978-81-924461-0-3
  6. Seshadri.K.S. pers.obs. 2012
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