Pseudophilautus amboli

Pseudophilautus amboli, the Amboli bush frog, is a rare shrub frog species endemic to the Western Ghats (India). It is found in Amboli (the type locality) and Amba in Maharashtra and in Castle Rock, Londa, Jog Falls-Mavingundi, and Kudremukh-Malleshwaram in Karnataka.[1][2]

Amboli bush frog
Individual at Mhadei WLS
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Pseudophilautus
Species:
P. amboli
Binomial name
Pseudophilautus amboli
(Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)[2]
Synonyms

Philautus amboli Biju and Bossuyt, 2009[3]

Description
Amplexus

The Amboli bush frog is a small frog, though it is medium-sized to large among its relatives. The snout–vent length of this species is 34 mm (1.3 in) in males and to 37.5 mm (1.48 in) in females.[3][4] Males have a large and transparent vocal sack when calling. The body is rather robust. Discs of fingertips are much enlarged. Tympanum is dark brown. dorsum is uniform blackish brown. Throat lemon yellowish with minute black spots.[3]

Amboli Bush Frog with enlarged vocal sac for mating calls

Habitat

In Amboli it was found in extremely disturbed areas close to evergreen forest patches, although it is not known whether or not it occurs in primary evergreen forest. It breeds by direct development.[1]

Threats and conservation action

The major threat to the species is habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization and tourism development. It is not known to occur in any protected areas, making habitat protection an urgent priority.[1]

References
  1. S.D. Biju (2004). "Pseudophilautus amboli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T58910A11854647. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T58910A11854647.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Pseudophilautus amboli (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  3. Biju, S. D.; Bossuyt, F. (2009). "Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 new species". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 155 (2): 374–444. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00466.x.
  4. Gururaja, K V (2012). Pictorial Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats. Gubbi Labs. pp. 116–117.
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