Preliminary Investigation on the Bush Frogs (Genus: Raorchestes) in Udhagamandalam, the Nilgiris, with an Action Plan for their Conservation

Master's Thesis from the year 2013 in the subject Biology - Zoology, grade: D, , course: M.Sc Zoology and Wildlife Biology, language: English, abstract: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) is the home for many endemic species of Western Ghats. Amphibians within Western Ghats and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve shows very high level of endemism especially in the genera Raorchestes. The genus Raorchestes are shrub frogs in the family Rhacophoridae under the class Amphibia. Published information on the Herpetofauna particularly about amphibians of NBR is scanty. There is no detailed study on the ecology of the bush frogs. Hence it is decided to study the ecology, current taxonomic positions their habit and habitat and distribution pattern of bush frogs. Four different localities have been selected for this study in and around Udhagamandalam. In each locality visual encounter survey method was used to collect data on bush frogs. During the study period, three species of Raorchestes were recorded such as Raorchestes tinniens, Raorchestes signatus and Raorchestes thodai. Raorchestes mostly recorded during the rainy season under bushes and other vegetation.