Journal Article

A detailed account of the reproductive strategy and developmental stages of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (Anura: Nasikabatrachidae), the only extant member of an archaic frog lineage

Zachariah, A., Abraham, R.K., Das, S., Jayan, K.C. and Altig, R.

Record Number:
4105
Year:
2012
Journal:
Zootaxa
Pages:
53-64
Volume:
3510
URL:
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1D2C3790-E2E0-4D80-8D7B-144884AFDD50
Abstract:
Novel and significant data on the breeding biology and tadpole morphology of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis expands our understanding of this unusual frog and clarifies some data in other reports. Nonpigmented eggs are laid in arrays or clumps in small shaded rocky pools in the bedrock of torrential streams, as they are charged by early monsoon rains. The suctorial tadpole adapted to rheophilic habitats, has a strongly depressed body, dorsal eyes, complete marginal papillae, a labial tooth row formula of 2/3 or 2/3(1), and a medial vent with unusual flaps subtending the vent and limb buds. Tadpoles metamorphose in about 100 days. Additional site records and issues relating to the conservation of this frog and its habitat in the southern Western Ghats of India are discussed.
Times Cited:
0