Raorchestes resplendens

Raorchestes resplendens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Rhacophoridae
Genus:	Raorchestes
Species:	R. resplendens
Binomial name
Raorchestes resplendens

Raorchestes resplendens is a frog species belonging to the family Rhacophoridae. It is a novel species with extremely short limbs and numerous macroglands and has been discovered from the Anamudi summit (2695m asl) in the Western ghats forest of India. The suggested vernacular name for the frog is 'resplendent shrubfrog'.

Description

Individuals of the species are distinguishable from all members of the genus by their bright reddish orange colour and multiple prominent glandular swelling. These are 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 which has resulted in more pronounced crawling behaviour.

Distribution

The species is presently known to live within three sq. kms. on the Anamudi summit within the Eravikulam National Park, India.

Etymology and Systematics

The generic epithet is derived from the name 'Rao' in honour of C.R.Narayana Rao in honour 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 scientific epithet 'resplendent' is a latin term meaning 'bright coloured, glittering, resplendent' referring to the bright red or orange pigmentation.

Behaviour

Females may mate with more than one male and breed more than once in a single season. The females burry their eggs under the moss- covered forest floor, deep inside the base of bamboo clumps.

See Also

• Eravikulam National Park
• Western Ghats

Sources

• New species of frog found in Eravikulam National Park, The Hindu (retrieved on 5th May 2010)
• Original article from Current Science