TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: In a rare and exciting event, an Indian painted frog, also known as the ‘Sri Lankan bullfrog’ or ‘painted globular frog,’ was recently spotted at the Kawal Tiger Reserve in Mancherial district, Telangana.
EXPLANATION:
- This sighting is particularly noteworthy as this species is not commonly found in this region, making the event a significant occurrence for local wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
- The species is generally found across various regions, including Nepal, West and East India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
- However, in Telangana, the frog has been previously spotted only in the Medak and Adilabad districts.
- The recent sighting at Kawal Tiger Reserve is particularly significant because it highlights the biodiversity present within the reserve and points to the possibility of undiscovered populations of this species in the area.
- The reserve, which is primarily known for its tiger population and other large mammals, now adds the Indian painted frog to its diverse array of fauna.
Ecological Importance
- The Indian painted frog plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.
- As an amphibian, it helps control insect populations, serving as both predator and prey within its food web.
- The presence of this frog in the Kawal Tiger Reserve can be seen as an indicator of a healthy and balanced ecosystem, capable of supporting a wide range of species, including those not commonly found in the area.
- In Telangana, the Indian painted frog had previously been recorded only in the Medak and Adilabad districts.
- The current sighting at the Kawal Tiger Reserve adds a new location to the known range of this species within the state, suggesting potential corridors or pockets of suitable habitat that were previously undocumented.
Future Implications
- The discovery of the Indian painted frog in Kawal Tiger Reserve could prompt further studies and surveys to understand the distribution and habitat preferences of this species better.
- Conservationists and researchers may use this opportunity to explore the presence of other rare or undocumented species within the reserve, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s biodiversity.
Indian Painted Frog:
- Uperodon taprobanicus, also known as the Sri Lankan bullfrog, Sri Lankan painted frog, Sri Lankan kaloula, Ceylon kaloula, Indian painted frog, or painted globular frog, is a species of narrow-mouthed frog.
- It is found in Nepal, Bangladesh, southern and eastern India, and Sri Lanka up to an altitude of about 1300 metres.
- It can grow to an adult length of up to 75 millimetres(7.5 cm) long from snout to vent.
- The Indian painted frog is renowned for its striking appearance and unique coloration.
- Typically, these frogs exhibit shades of brown with patches of brighter colors such as orange or yellow.
- This distinctive coloration makes them a remarkable sight in their natural habitats.
- It was originally described as a subspecies of Kaloula pulchra, ssp. taprobanica.
- The IUCN lists it as being of “Least Concern”.
