Topic
Micrixalus
About: Micrixalus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7 publications have been published within this topic receiving 115 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: The results of multiple mitochondrial gene (16S and COI) barcoding reveal unexpectedly high species level diversity in the genus Micrixalus, leading to a more than two-fold increase in the number of known species in this ancient lineage.
Abstract: In this study, we investigate species level diversity in the monotypic frog family Micrixalidae, which is endemic to the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Attempting the first nearcomplete taxon sampling of Indian dancing frogs from the entire Western Ghats, we use 138 tissue samples collected from 70 localities over the last 12 years for DNA barcoding. Our results of multiple mitochondrial gene (16S and COI) barcoding reveal unexpectedly high species level diversity in the genus Micrixalus . Based on molecular and morphological evidence, we herein describe 14 new species, leading to a more than two-fold increase in the number of known species in this ancient lineage. Additionally, certain taxonomic uncertainties about the status of previously known taxa in this genus are resolved. Micrixalus narainensis and M. swamianus are considered as junior subjective synonyms of M. kottigeharensis, whereas M. herrei is resurrected from synonymy of M. fuscus and confirmed as a valid species. Taxonomic accounts of three species— M. elegans , M. silvaticus and M. thampi —are provided for the first time after their original descriptions. For nomenclatural stability, M. fuscus, M. saxicola and M. silvaticus are lectotypified, and M. elegans and M. kottigeharensis are neotypified. Detailed descriptions, morphological and genetic comparisons, illustrations, data on distribution, and natural history are provided for all species. We also provide the first osteological description of M. fuscus, the type species of the genus Micrixalus , and we report foot-flagging behavior in a total eight species, including two for which it has been studied previously. Overall, our results highlight the underestimation of true diversity in several amphibian groups of the Western Ghats, suggesting that spatial patterns of amphibian richness and endemism in this region need to be further re-examined. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v43i1.6850 Ceylon Journal of Science ( Bio. Sci. ) 43(1): 2014 Please note that the Full Text PDF is a very large file (11MB) and may take a few minutes to download.
65 citations
Book•
1 Jan 2009
TL;DR: An annotated checklist of 284 species of amphibians of India accommodated under 50 genera and 14 families is provided and species discovery patterns from the various biogeographic zones in India are discussed in detail.
Abstract: An annotated checklist of 284 species of amphibians of India accommodated under 50 genera and
14 families is provided. Synonyms, English names, type localities, deposition of type specimens, type
specimen availability and distributional records in India and outside India are provided for all the species.
Among the 284 species of amphibians from India, 132 are endemic to Western Ghats; 29 to Northeastern
India; and 5 to Andaman Nicobar islands.
Species discovery patterns from the various biogeographic zones in India are discussed in detail.
Cumulative discovery pattern with special reference to the genera Fejervarya (17 species),
Nyctibatrachus (16 species), Indirana (10 species), Micrixalus (11 species), Philautus (46 species) and
Gegeneophis (10 species) are also discussed.
34 citations
TL;DR: Hartmann et al. as discussed by the authors reported that male frogs use inflated vocal sac with conspicuous pigmentation and various body postures for female attraction in both agonistic and courtship interactions.
Abstract: Males of most anuran species vocalize, defend and maintain their territories (Wells, 1997) by acoustic communication. Calls play an important role in anuran communications, and particularly in male-male acoustic competition and female choice (Bastos and Haddad, 2002). In many species of frogs, males fight for receptive females, territories or other resources (Gerhardt et al., 2000; Tarano, 2001; Bastos and Haddad, 2002). Moreover, male frogs maintain spatial separation between each other through vocalization (Ribeiro Matos and Hass, 2000; Rand and Drewry, 1994). In addition to the vocalization, many diurnal and few nocturnal species of anurans use visual display patterns during intra-specific communication during both agonistic and courtship interactions (Haddad and Giaretta, 1999; Hödl and Amezquita, 2001; Hartmann et al., 2004). Courtships of nocturnal Hylids from Brazil have been reported to involve stereotyped behavioral sequences with vocalisation and visual displays (Hartmann et al., 2004; Abrunhosa and Wogel, 2004). Males have been reported to use inflated vocal sac with conspicuous pigmentation (Rosenthal et al., 2004) and various body postures (Linquist and Hetherington, 1996) for female attraction. However, visual displays involving the limb signalling has been reported as the most distinctive anuran visual display (Pombal et al., 1994; Halloy and Espinoza, 1999-2000). The use of foot
26 citations
TL;DR: The discovery of the elusive tadpoles of Micrixalus herrei from the sand beds of a forested stream in southern Western Ghats is reported, and their identity is confirmed through DNA barcoding.
Abstract: Tadpoles of the monotypic Indian dancing frog family Micrixalidae have remained obscure for over 125 years. Here we report the discovery of the elusive tadpoles of Micrixalus herrei from the sand beds of a forested stream in southern Western Ghats, and confirm their identity through DNA barcoding. These actively burrowing tadpoles lead an entirely fossorial life from eggs to late metamorphic stages. We describe their internal and external morphological characters while highlighting the following features: eel-like appearance, extensively muscularized body and tail, reduced tail fins, skin-covered eyes, delayed development of eye pigmentation in early pre-metamorphic stages (Gosner stages 25–29), prominent tubular sinistral spiracle, large transverse processes on vertebrae II and III, ankylosed ribs on transverse processes of vertebra II, notochord terminating before the atlantal cotyle-occipital condyle junction, absence of keratodonts, serrated well-formed jaw sheaths, and extensive calcified endolymphatic sacs reaching sacrum posteriorly. The tadpole gut contains mostly fine sediments and sand. We discuss the eel-like morphology and feeding habits of M. herrei in the context of convergence with other well-known fossorial tadpoles. This discovery builds the knowledge base for further comparative analyses and conservation of Micrixalus, an ancient and endemic lineage of Indian frogs.
16 citations
Journal Article•
5 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |