About Indian Painted Frog

Context:

A rare Indian Painted Frog was recently sighted at Telangana’s Kawal Tiger Reserve, marking a significant find outside its usual habitats.

Relevance:

GS III: Species in News

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Indian Painted Frog
2. Key Facts about Kawal Tiger Reserve

About Indian Painted Frog:

• Species Overview:
  • The Indian Painted Frog, belonging to the Microhylidae family, is known scientifically as Uperodon taprobanicus.
  • It inhabits regions of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, southern and eastern India, and Nepal, at elevations up to approximately 1300 meters.
  • In India, this species is prevalent in states like West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, with a higher concentration in the southern Western and Eastern Ghats.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Adult frogs can reach lengths of up to 75 millimetres (7.5 cm) from snout to vent, with females generally being larger than males.
  • The species is distinguished by its smooth, rounded body and vibrant coloration, typically brown with bright patches of orange or yellow.
• Conservation Status:
  • According to the IUCN Red List, the Indian Painted Frog is classified as Least Concern.

Key Facts about Kawal Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
  • Situated in the northeastern part of Telangana (Old Adilabad district), bordered by the Godavari River on one side and Maharashtra on the other.
• Geographical and Ecological Features:
  • It is part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
  • The reserve includes catchments for the Godavari and Kadam rivers, which flow southward.
  • It forms a corridor connecting the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra to the north and the Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh to the northeast.
• Habitat and Vegetation:
  • The reserve boasts a variety of habitats including dense forests, grasslands, open areas, rivers, streams, and water bodies.
  • Predominantly consists of Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
• Flora:
  • Notably includes extensive teak forests along with bamboo.
  • Houses around 673 recorded plant species, including significant ones like Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, Terminalia arjuna, and Boswellia serrata.
• Fauna:
  • Features a diverse range of wildlife typical of the Deccan Plateau.
  • Major animals include nilgai, chousinga, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer, wild dog, wolf, jackal, fox, tiger, leopard, and jungle cat.

-Source: The Hindu