. 04/10/2024 10:50 AM
Discovery of New Reptile and Amphibian Species in Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves
Recent herpetofauna surveys in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) have uncovered a rich biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians, highlighting the ecological significance of these regions. Both reserves, located in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, yielded significant findings, including the discovery of potential new species and the documentation of several endangered and rare species.
From September 7th to 9th, 2024, a herpetofauna survey was conducted in the Masinagudi Division of the MTR, spanning altitudes from 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The survey led to the identification of 33 reptile species and 36 amphibian species. This was the first extensive assessment of herpetofauna in the region, making the findings particularly significant.
A separate herpetofauna survey was conducted from September 3rd to 5th, 2024, in the ATR, specifically in the Akkamalai Grass Hill National Park and Kariyan Shola, part of the Ulanthy forest range in Pollachi division. The six-member research team identified 20 reptile species and 34 amphibian species across diverse high-altitude habitats.
The MTR survey uncovered four species that are potentially new to science:
-Two geckos: One from the Cnemaspis genus and another from the Hemidactylus genus.
-A skink: A previously unknown species.
-A frog from the Sphaerotheca genus.
These discoveries highlight the immense biodiversity of the reserve and will require further taxonomic and molecular research to be formally recognized.
.png1728020468.png)
Several critically endangered and rare species were also documented during the survey, including:
-Micrixalus spelunca (cave dancing frog).
-Nyctibatrachus indraneili (Indraneil’s night frog).
-Calliophis nigrescens (striped coral snake).
-Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra).
-Plectrurus perrotetii (Nilgiri burrowing snake).
In the ATR, the survey yielded remarkable findings, including:
-Critically endangered amphibians: Rhacophorus species (Flying Frog) and Nyctibatrachus species (Deccan Night Frog).
-Rare species: The Resplendent Shrubfrog and Three-lined Shieldtail, a rare snake last seen in 2018.
-Previously unrecorded reptiles: The Anamudi dwarf gecko, observed only twice before, and the newly documented Tailspot Shieldtail.
High-altitude habitats also revealed the presence of the endangered Cold Stream Torrent Frog, endemic to the Anamalai subcluster, and the high-altitude microhylid species.
Both the Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves are situated in the Western Ghats, known for their unique biodiversity. These reserves host a mix of habitats, including montane forests, shola-grassland mosaics, reed and bamboo patches, dry deciduous forests, shrub jungles, and riparian zones.
The Masinagudi Division of the Mudumalai Reserve is particularly notable for its position on both the eastern and western slopes of the Nilgiris, which creates ideal conditions for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Anamalai Reserve’s high-altitude grasslands and dense forests provide habitats for species that are rare or endangered, further emphasizing the conservation importance of the region.
The discoveries in both reserves underscore the need for continuous research and conservation efforts. According to Sujith V. Gopalan, a herpetologist who worked on the MTR survey, species discovered during this study require additional research, including taxonomic work and molecular phylogenetic studies. Collecting specimens for formal identification requires permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden, a step that will be critical for confirming the new species.
In Anamalai, the discovery of species such as the Three-lined Shieldtail and Cold Stream Torrent Frog, which are limited to very specific ecological niches, highlights the fragile nature of these habitats. Deputy Director K. Bhargava Teja of the ATR emphasized that these findings reinforce the need for conservation strategies aimed at protecting these delicate ecosystems.
The researchers in both reserves plan to continue their work, with upcoming surveys targeting the northeast monsoon season. The Masinagudi Division in Mudumalai will focus on cliff and gorge areas that remain inaccessible, with expectations of uncovering even more species. The researchers also aim to study species that are active during the retreating monsoon, particularly burrowing species like Uperodon and Sphaerotheca frogs.
In Anamalai, future surveys will further explore the high-altitude montane grasslands and shola forests, which are expected to yield more discoveries. G. Venkatesh, who led the ATR survey, noted that the findings serve as a starting point for long-term ecological studies that will help preserve the region's biodiversity.
These surveys add to the growing body of knowledge about the Western Ghats' biodiversity and reinforce the critical role of the Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves in wildlife conservation. With 55 reptile species and 39 amphibian species now documented in the Mudumalai Reserve alone, conservationists can develop more targeted management strategies to protect these species.
Many of the species identified in both reserves are endemic to the Western Ghats, and around 40% of them are threatened or near-threatened according to the IUCN Red List. This highlights the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems not only for their intrinsic biodiversity but also for the ecological services they provide to local wildlife and human communities.
The discoveries made during the recent herpetofauna surveys in the Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves offer a compelling glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats. The identification of new species and the documentation of critically endangered reptiles and amphibians call for immediate and sustained conservation efforts. By safeguarding these unique ecosystems, we can ensure the survival of the rare and diverse wildlife that calls these reserves home, while also protecting the broader ecological balance of the region.
As future surveys uncover more species, these findings will continue to inform conservation policies, ensuring that these ecological treasures are preserved for future generations.
