Lake 2010: Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change
22nd-24th December 2010 Page 1
ANURAN AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
USE IN DHARWAD
Rajendra M. Pattar*1, Vijaykumar A. Kudari 2 and Ravishankar D. Kanamadi 3
* Author for correspondence
1Assistant Professor in Zoology, Kittel Science College, Dharwad, 580001
2 and 3Department of Zoology Karnatak University, Dharwad, 580003
Karnataka State, India
E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The distribution of anuran amphibians in Dharwad area has been studied. A total of 13 species were
recorded in the present study. The absence of Uperedon systoma was noticed, which may be attributed to its rare
occurrence or reduction in its population size. The population density of Hoplobatrachus tigerinus has reduced
drastically in comparison with earlier reports. The Kapila pond and puddles around Kelageri tank form potential
breeding grounds for 11 species, suggesting their species richness. The species Philautus variabilis is expanding its
distribution.
The present study reveals that by and large the number of anuran species that were found earlier have been
retained in Dharwad area in spite of destruction of habitat structure. However, the density of population of few
species has reduced. Geographical Information System (GIS) was also made use, as it allows the spatial and
temporal analysis of the features of interest and helps in solving the ecological problems. In this current study, an
attempt is made for mapping the potential breeding grounds to give a base line data for further research.
Key words: Anurans, diversity, GIS, breeding ground, Dharwad
INTRODUCTION:
Monitoring and mapping of biological recourses is a major concern from the conservation perspective as the
depletion of biodiversity is an irreversible change. Studies on amphibians of Dharwad (Kanamadi and Saidapur,
1981, Saidapur and Kanamadi, 1982; Kanamadi and Hiremath, 1989, 1990; Kanamadi et al., 1992, 1993, 1994,
1995, 1996; Kadadevaru and Kanamadi; 2001) indicate that it is rich in anuran species. Due to rapid urbanization
during last two decades there is a considerable change in the habitat areas of anurans. In the course of urbanization,
there is diversion in inflow of water and conversion of many tanks into layouts. Kudari and Kanamadi (2008)
suggested that the existing water bodies have reached eutrohic state. The present study was undertaken to assess the
impact of urbanization on anuran species, if any. The investigation includes the current status of anuran species
diversity, their habitat use and mapping of breeding grounds.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Dharwad (15º 17΄ N 75 º 3΄ E ) is situated on the edge of Western Ghats and is hilly area spread over
seven small hills at an average altitude of 750 meters above the sea level. It is in between two distinct geographical
divisions i.e. Malenadu (hilly, forest land with red soil) and Belawalnadu (Deccan plains with black soil). Anuran
habitats of Dharwad were surveyed. The potentiality of breeding activity was determined based on the richness of
advertisement calls. Based on breeding activity to monitor, fifteen water bodies were selected for the present study.
The field studies were carried out for a period of two years (2009 and 2010) during monsoon season. The species
were identified based on the publications (Kanamadi and Saidapur, 1981; Saidapur and Kanamadi 1982; Kanamadi
and Hiremath, 1989, 1990; Kanamadi et. al., (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996) and bioacoustics. The species were
further confirmed by using standard keys (Daniel, 1963; Daniels, 1975) and using sound ruler software by
comparing the oscillograms with published data. Land use dynamics was analyzed for study area by using Survey of
India toposheet which covers Dharwad town with base layers such as region’s boundary, and vegetation types. The
digitization of study area was done by using toposheets, Google earth free software available on net and Map Info
Professional 8.0 software.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
The number of anuran species found in the study area in comparison to previous studies summarized in
Table 1. In the present study, a total of 13 species belonging to 11 genera were recorded. Kanamadi and Hiremath
(1989) reported the presence of 13 anuran species (table-2). Later Kanamadi et al., (1996) added one more species to
this list i.e., Philautus variabilis. During two years of our study 13 species were recorded except Uperedon systoma.
The absence of this species might be due to reduction in its population size or its rare occurrence.
Microhyla ornata, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Limnonectes limnocharis, Polypedatus maculatus and Bufo
melanostictus are widely distributed in Dharwad area which is similar to the observations of Kanamadi and
Hiremath (1989) with respect to the species E. cyanophlyctis, B. melanostictus and P. maculatus.
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus was reported to be widely distributed (Kanamdi and Hiremath, 1989). The present
study shows that its population has drastically reduced and was recorded in 11 water bodies out of 15 surveyed
(table-1). Even in these 11 water bodies the population of this species was not thick and a maximum of five
amplected pairs were recorded at the peak of breeding activity. This reduction in population size in comparison to
previous reports might be due to urbanization which has directly resulted in destruction of breeding grounds (fig-1
and 2). Many at times due to heavy premonsoon rains the breeding may occur earlier and development activity begin
but further these temporary water bodies may not support complete development which might have resulted in
reduction in the population size during successive years.
The population density of Rana crassa was very thin around Dharwad (Kanamdi et al., 1992). In the
present study it was found only in three water bodies, which supports the observations reported earlier (Kanamadi,
et.al., 1992). Kaloula taprobanica was found only in two water bodies, which appears to be very rare in occurrence.
However there are no reports regarding its population densities earlier. Microhyla ornata and L. limnocharis are
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widely distributed and commonly found in all the water bodies and their population appears to be very thick. This
suggests that these species have quickly adapted to changing habitat structure, so that their breeding activity appears
to be normal even now. Microhyla rubra and Sphaerotheca breviceps were found in 10 and 12 water bodies
respectively and their population was scarce in comparison to M. ornata and L. limnocharis which means that they
are yet to adjust to the changing habitat structure.
Philautus variabilis exhibits direct development (Kanamadi et al., 1996) and is found in Dharwad area. Our survey
from 1996 to till date indicates that it is expanding its distribution around Dharwad year after year. This shows that
the species has greater adaptability towards changing habitat structure.
11 anuran species occur in two water bodies i.e. Kapila pond and Kelageri tank (table-1) which exhibits
species richness. This suggests that the breeding grounds for these species have been preserved even after
construction of new layouts around these ponds. Kapila pond over the years though decreased in its size has retained
its potentiality for the anuran breeding activity. The present study suggests that by and large the number of anuran
species that were found earlier have been retained in Dharwad area inspite of destruction of habitat structure.
However, the density of population of few species has reduced. Further there is a need for quantitative assessment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The authors acknowledge the financial help received from UGC, New Delhi in the form of Minor
Research Project and authorities of Department of Zoology, Kittel Science College, Dharwad for the infrastructural
help. Special thanks are due to Prof. A. D. Kamath of C.S.Bembalgi College, Ramdurg for the help rendered in the
current study.
REFERENCES:
Daniel, J.C. (1963). Field guide to the amphibians of Western India. J Bombay Nat. Hist. Soci. 60:415-438.
Daniels, R.J.R. (1997b). A field guide to the Frogs and toads of the Western Ghats: India. Cobra 28, 1 -24.
Kanamadi R D and C R Hiremath (1989) Anuran amphibian fauna of Dharwad; J. Karnatak Univ. Sci.33 8–12
Kanamadi, R. D. (1996). Acoustic communication in some Indian anurans: A review. Zoos' print. XI (8), 26-35.
Kanamadi, R. D., Hiremath, C. R. and H. Schneider (1993). The advertisement call of South Indian frog
Ramanella variegata (microhylidae). J.Herpetol.,27:2lS-2l9.
Kanamadi, R. D., Hiremath, C. R. and H. Schneider (1994). Advertisement call of two anuran amphibians,
Rana tigrina and Tomopterna breviceps. J . Bio.Sci 19, 75-80.
Kanamadi, R. D., Hiremath, C. R. and H. Schneider,11. (1995). Vocalization and lerriloriality of the Indian
frog, Rana limnocharia. Pine. naliiSci. Acad. B59, 489- 500.
Kanamadi, R. D., Hiremath, C. R. and H. Schneider (1992). Vocalization and breeding period In the South
Indian tropical frog, Rana crassa
Kanamadi, R.D. and C.R. Hiremath, (1990). Vocalization and breeding period in the burrowing from
Tomopterna breviceps. Environ. Ecol. 8, 1055-1056.
4
Kanamadi, R.D. and S.K. Saidapur, (1981). Effect of short- term treatment of methallibure (ICI.33828) on the
testis and thumb pad of the toad Bufo melanostictus. Curr.Sci.50., 623-624.
Kanamadi,R.D., Hiremath,C.R. and H. Schneider. (1994). Advertisement calls of two anuran amphibians, Rana
tigrina and Tomopterna breviceps. J. Biosci. 10, 75-80.
Kanamadi,R.D., Hiremath,C.R. and H. Schneider. (1994). Courtship, Amplexus and advertisement call of tree
frog Microhyla rubra. Curr. Sci. 66, 5-11.
Kanamadi,R.D., Hiremath,C.R. and H. Schneider, (1995). Vocalization of tropical Indian toads Bufo
melanostictus and Bufo fergusonii. J. Adv. Zool. 16, 5-11.
Kanamadi,R.D., Nandihal,H.N., Saidapur,S.K. and N.S. Patil, (1996). Fecundity and parental care in the frog,
Philautus variabilis. J.Adv. Zool. 17, 68-70.
Kudari, V.A. and R.D. Kanamadi. (2008). Impact of changed trophic status on the zooplankton composition in
six water bodies of Dharwad district, Karnataka State (South India). Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment: 144(1-3): 301-313.
Patil, N.S. and R.D. Kanamadi, (1997). Direct development in the rhacophorid frog, Philautus variabilis
(Gunter). Curr. Sci. 73, 697-701. Daniels, R.J.R. (1997a). A field guide to the frogs and toads of the
Western Ghats: India. Cobra 27, 1-25.
Saidapur,S.K. and R.D. Kanamadi (1982). A comparative study of spermatogenetic cycle in Rana cyanophlyctis
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Table-1. The current composition of Anurans and their habitat use in Dharwad
+ stands for the presence of the species - stands for absence of the species
Locality
Kel
geri
ta
nk
Sad
anke
re
tan
k
Kap
ila
po
nd
MB
A p
on
d
Sta
diu
m
po
nd
Ett
ing
udd
a ta
nk
Ag
ril.
Q
uar
ter
tan
k
Tap
ovan
p
on
d
Nav
od
aya
po
nd
Hig
hw
ay
po
nd
Sav
adat
ti
po
nd
Rai
lway
b
rid
ge t
ank
So
man
ath
tan
k
Nu
gg
iker
i ta
nk
Nav
alu
r ta
nk
1 Hoplobatrachus
tigerinus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
2 Rana crassa + - - - - - - - - - - + + - -
3 Microhyla
ornata + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
4 Microhyla rubra + - + + - + + + - + + + + + +
5 Ramanella
variegata + - + + + + + + + + - + + + -
6 Euphlyctis
cyanoplyctis + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
7 Limnonectes
limnocharis + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
8 Polypedates
maculatus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
9 Philautus
variabilis - - + - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Sphaerotheca
breviceps + - + - + + + - + + + + + -
11 Bufo fergusonii + - + - + + + - + + + + + + +
12 Bufo
melanostictus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
13 Kaloula
taprobanica - - + - + - - - - - - - - - -
Table-2. The comparative view of Anuran diversity
Note: 2010* = current investigation, 1989*= Kanamadi and Hiremath, and 1996*= Kanamadi et al.,
+ stands for the presence of the species - stands for absence of the species
Sl.no Species 2010*
1989 *
and
1996*
1 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus + +
2 Rana crassa + +
3 Microhyla ornata + +
4 Microhyla rubra + +
5 Ramanella variegata + +
6 Euphlyctis cyanoplyctis + +
7 Limnonectes limnocharis + +
8 Polypedates maculatus + +
9 Philautus variabilis + +
10 Sphaerotheca breviceps + +
11 Bufo fergusonii + +
12 Bufo melanostictus + +
13 Kaloula taprobanica + +
14 Uperdon systoma - +
13 14