SURVEY OF AMPHIBIANS IN YETTINAHOLE

WEIRS AND DOWNSTREAM

MUDIGERE SKITTERING FROG, Euphlyctis mudigere

Gururaja KV
FACULTY, SRISHTI INSTITUTE OF ART DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, BENGALURU.

gururaja.kv@srishti.ac.in

A report for the year 2018

Submitted on 15th May 2019
Introduction
Frogs, toads, caecilians and salamanders are collectively called amphibians due to their dual life style
(Gk: Amphi-dual; bios-life). They are the first four limbed animals to set foot on land about 360
million years ago. Amphibians are considered as ‘Canaries in a coal mine’ as they indicate the health
of an ecosystem. They act as energy conveyer belt in the food chain and food web. Frogs and toads
have been a part of our culture dating back to Rig Veda as harbinger of rain, symbol of fertility and
prosperity (Gururaja 2012).

In the world, there are about 8000 species of amphibians (Frost, 2019), nearly a third of them are
facing the threat of extinction. About 200 species have been wiped out from the planet in the last 3
decades. The reason for such decline is many and complex. The key factors include rapid
urbanization, changes and degradation of habitats, global climate change, chemical fertilizers and
pesticides, invasive species and infectious diseases.

India harbours about 445 species (5% of the total) of amphibians belonging to three orders namely,
anura, gymnophiona and caudata. Among them 17 are critically endangered, 33 are endangered, 24
are vulnerable as per IUCN status. However, for nearly 260 species, IUCN status is unknown. This
clearly indicates the requirement of systematic population studies on Indian amphibians. The
Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas are two amphibian hotspots in India. The Western Ghats
has about 300 amphibian species.

The present study of amphibians in the catchment areas of Yettinahole project is to

1. List the amphibian from the weir locations and down streams of the weirs along with their
relative abundance.
2. Provide IUCN status, habitat, micro-habitat conditions of each species.

This will eventually help in understanding the changes in amphibian diversity and distribution over a
period of 2-3 years with reference to the Yettinahole project. Based on the outcomes, conservation
measures can be suggested.

Materials and Methods

Amphibian Survey methods
Direct sampling method: A time constrained (1-person hour each) visual encounter survey is adapted
for amphibian survey (Heyer et al., 1994) in the localities marked within a radius of 250m (Figure
2.5.1). Amphibians were searched by two people using torch lights in all possible microhabitas (small

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pools, puddles, crevices, below rocks/boulders, streams, edges, bushes/shrubs, tree barks, bamboo
cavities, leaf litter, dead wood logs and so on). Two to three surveys were conducted in each locality
during March (24th and 25th) , May (22nd and 24th) and July (27th and 28th) of 2018 at each weir (7 in
total, namely 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8). On observing a species, it was identified using standard keys
(Gururaja 2012) and number of individuals were noted. This provides both diversity and abundance
data about each species.

Indirect sampling methods: In addition to visual encounter surveys, bioacoustical recordings of

amphibians were made using Zoom H1 handheld digital voice recorder. Sound records were made at
44kHz and 16bit rate. These were analysed using Raven Pro 1.5 software.

Survey was carried out between 1800 to 2400h. Permission was not given for night survey in
Kadumane estate. Along with recording amphibian species, habitat images were taken (Plate 1) and
observations on canopy, air temperature, relative humidity and disturbances (noise and habitat)
were also recorded.

Figure 2.5.1. Amphibian survey conducted in 7 localities (circle with red dots). The black circle is
250m radius around the point within which amphibian survey was carried out.

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 PLATES 1. Images and micro-habitats characteristics of sampling localities.

1. Evergreen vegetation, hill area 2. Perennial stream, evergreen vegetation

3. Perennial stream, evergreen+Ochlandra 4. Perennial stream, evergreen+Ochlandra

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Results
Amphibian Richness
Based on the survey, this report lists 16 species of amphibians, from 6 families and 10 genera and
listed in Table 2.5.1. IUCN status (based on http://www.iucnredlist.org) are as follows – CR –
Critically Endangered, EN – Endangered, Vu – Vulnerable, NT – Near threatened, and DD – Data
deficient. Endemism is considered as endemic to Western Ghats (EN), otherwise stated as non-
endemic (NE). Habitat of the adult are listed as Semi-aquatic (SA, living in the edges of water and
land), Aquatic (A, living in water), and Arboreal (AR, living on plants, bushes, and trees). Functional
ecology of tadpoles, Neustonic (feeding in the columns of water), Benthic (bottom feeders),
Nektonic (feeding through scraping the surface of rock, leaf, and mosses), and Direct Development
(there is no free swimming tadpole stage, the egg hatches into tiny froglet).

TABLE 2.5.1. List of amphibian species with IUCN status, Endemism, habitat requirement of adult
and the functional ecology of tadpoles.
FAMILY SPECIES IUCN ENDEMISM 1 2
MICROHYLIDAE
Microhyla sholigari EN EN SA Neustonic
NYCTIBATRACHIDAE
Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis DD EN A Benthic
Nyctibatrachus sp. EN EN A Benthic
DICROGLOSSIDAE
Fejervarya mudduraja DD EN SA Benthic
Fejervarya caperata DD EN SA Benthic
Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis LC NE A Benthic
Euphlyctis mudigeri DD EN A Benthic
RANIDAE
Indosylvirana intermedius DD EN SA Benthic
Clinotarsus curtipes NT EN SA Nektonic
RANIXALIDAE
Indirana gundia CR EN SA Nektonic
RHACOPHORIDAE
Raorchestes luteolus DD EN AR Direct development
Raorchestes tuberohumerus DD EN AR Direct development
Raorchestes glandulsosus VU EN AR Direct development
Pseudophilautus wynaadensis EN EN AR Direct development
Raorchestes ponmudi CR EN AR Direct development
Rhacophorus malabaricus LC EN AR Benthic
Note: 1-Habitat of adult and 2-functional ecology of tadpole. Please refer to text for abbreviations.

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Locality specific amphibian richness and abundance
Species richness and abundance are provided in Table 2.5.2. Weir 6 is species rich (10 species), while
Weir 4 has only one species. Shannon Diversity Index calculated based on richness and abundance
indicate that Weir 6 and 7 has higher index (2.21 and 1.98 respectively).

TABLE 2.5.2. Amphibian species abundance (no.of individuals/hr of search) in surveyed localities .

SPECIES WEIR 1 WEIR 2 WEIR 4 WEIR 5 WEIR 6 WEIR 7 WEIR 8

Microhyla sholigari 2 3
Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis 3
Nyctibatrachus sp. 1 1
Fejervarya mudduraja 2 3
Fejervarya caperata 2
Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 1 2
Euphlyctis mudigere 1 1
Indosylvirana intermedius 1
Clinotarsus curtipes 1 1
Indirana gundia 2 2
Raorchestes luteolus 1 2 1 1 1
Raorchestes tuberohumerus 2 1 1 1 1
Raorchestes glandulsosus 1
Pseudophilautus wynaadensis 2 2 1
Raorchestes ponmudi 1
Rhacophorus malabaricus 1
RICHNESS 3 6 1 2 10 8 3
ABUNDANCE 5 10 1 3 15 12 3
SHANNON INDEX 1.06 1.7 1 0.64 2.21 1.98 1.1

Species profile
Plate 2 and 3 provides photographs of species observed from the study localities. Species profile is
given below

1. Raorchestes ponmudi (Ponmudi Bush Frog)

It is an arboreal frog that inhabit high evergreen tree canopies, endemic to the Western
Ghats. It is a critically endangered species and has direct development in its life stage.
2. Psuedophilautus wynaadensis (Waynad Bush Frog)
It is an arboreal frog, endemic to the Western Ghats found in bushes. It is an endangered
species and has direct development in its life stage.
3. Raorchestes glandulosus (Glandular Bush Frog)
It is an arboreal frog, endemic to the Western Ghats. It is a vulnerable species and has direct
development.

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 4. Raorchestes luteolus (Coorg Yellow Bush Frog)
It is an arboreal frog, endemic to the Western Ghats found in bushes. We do not know the
ecological status of this species (DD).
5. Raorchestes ochlandrae (Ochlandra Reed-bush Frog)
It is an arboreal frog, endemic to the Western Ghats found inside Ochlandra reed bushes
(Hence the name). It has direct development in its life stage, we do not know it’s ecological
status..
6. Indirana gundia (Gundia Leaping Frog)
It is a semi-aquatic frog, endemic to the Western Ghats found along streams and stream
edges. It has a unique semi-aquatic tadpole stage and primitive inguinal amplexus. It is a
critically endangered species.
7. Clinotarsus curtipes (Bi-colored Frog)
It is a semi-aquatic frog, endemic to the Western Ghats. It is found in streams. Tadpoles
exhibit kin recognition. It is a near threatened species.
8. Microhyla sholigari (Sholiga’s Narrow-Mouthed Frog)
It is a small, semi-aquatic frog, endemic to the Western Ghats. It is an endangered species.

The field visits were stopped due heavy monsoon showers in 2018. Hence, relying on richness and
abundance data of 2018 alone will be biased and requires studies for next couple of years. It is
proposed that, in 2019, surveys will be conducted at multiple localities with regular intervals (250m
and 500m) away from Weir constructions to provide more comprehensive understanding of
amphibian diversity and distribution in the region.

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 PLATE 2. Species observed during the field survey.

Raorchestes ponmudi Pseudophilautus wynaadensis

Raorchestes luteolus Raorchestes glandulosus

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 PLATE 3. Species observed during the field survey.

Indirana gundia Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis

Indosylvirana intermedius Microhyla sholigari

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Mitigation Measures
Based on the studies conducted in 2018, within a radius of 250m surrounding each weir, a list of
human induced activities was observed as given below.

1. Heavy modification of streams (diversion, damming and silting)

2. Movement of heavy construction vehicles and materials close to streams
3. New access roads running through forested areas (Habitat modification, fragmentation and
attrition)
4. Increased noise levels (construction and trail run of turbines)
5. Human settlements and associated impacts in nearby streams

All these activities have had an impact on stream dwelling as well as tree dwelling amphibian species
in the area of study. However, due to heavy monsoon in 2018, field surveys were impacted and a
more detailed study in the current year will corroborate our findings. A previous study in this region
(for proposed Shiradi Ghat tunnel project under JICA, 2015-16, for two monsoon seasons) recorded
37 species and the present study showed only 16 species.

Mitigation and management of biodiversity must follow adaptive management plans incorporating
the feedback on both successes and failures of management practices. A few mitigation measures
suggested are

1. Streams needs to be restored: First and foremost is to restore the degraded streams. The
muck, silt, construction materials and diversion has to be removed from streams, so that the
impact is to be contained only at the weir (a maximum of 25 m radius) and not beyond.
2. Habitat needs to be restored: There is no estimate of number of trees/shrubs being cut or
removed for the weir constructions. There is an immediate need to restore these habitats
with samplings of native species as there are a good number of arboreal amphibians in the
region. To maintain the connectivity with the fragmented habitats native species of trees to
allow easy movement of amphibians. Trees would also absorb noise coming from
generators/turbines, thus reducing noise impact on amphibians. Complete removal of
construction materials (settlements, plastics, cement, steel and any unused vehicle) from
the weir is highly recommended.

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Acknowledgements
Thanks to Prof. R. Sukumar for critical feedback and invaluable support during the project. I would
like to thank Ms. Madhushri Mudke, Ms. Purabhi Deshpande, Dr. Seshadri KS, Mr. Abhijith HU, Dr.
Shravana Kumar, Mr. Pavan Kumar H. K. and Mr. Duttaraja for the support in the field.

References
Frost DR. 2019. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 (Date of access).
Electronic Database accessible at http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.
American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.

Gururaja KV. 2012. Pictorial guide to frogs and toads of the Western Ghats. Gubbi Labs Publication.
154+xviii pages, ISBN 978-81-924461-0-3

Heyer WR, Donnelly MA, McDiarmid RW, Hayek LC, Foster MS. 1994. Measuring and Monitoring
Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019. http://www.iucnredlist.org

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