|
Resplendent Shrub Frog: Critically Endangered
The Resplendent Shrub Frog is in the news in the context of its conservation status and key biological traits. The report lists its distribution as endemic to Eravikulam National Park in Kerala and notes its IUCN status as Critically Endangered.
Resplendent Shrub Frog and Eravikulam National Park:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Resplendent Shrub Frog belongs to the family Rhacophoridae. |
| Size | Resplendent Shrub Frog measures about 2–3 cm in length. |
| Appearance | Its body is adorned with bold patterns along its limbs and flanks, and its limbs are much shorter than in other species of this genus. |
| Distribution and habitat | It is endemic to the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystems of the Anamudi region in Kerala’s Eravikulam National Park. |
| Behaviour | It is characterized by pronounced crawling behaviour, is ground-dwelling, and is nocturnal and hides from artificial light sources. |
| Reproduction | It undergoes direct development, without a free swimming tadpole stage. |
| Conservation status | IUCN Red List status comprises Critically Endangered. |
| Park location | Eravikulam National Park is an important protected area located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. |
| Surrounding protected areas | Eravikulam National Park is surrounded by Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadum Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, and Kurinjimala Sanctuary. |
| Flagship association | Eravikulam National Park is most famous for being the largest habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. |
| Neelakurinji reference | Eravikulam National Park is also known as the “Land of Neelakurinji”, a rare flower that blooms once every 12 years. |
| Altitude and terrain | It is dominated by high-altitude grasslands and rolling plateaus, usually found above 2000 meters. |
| Peak | Anamudi Peak (2695 m), which is the highest peak in South India, is present in Eravikulam National Park. |
| Vegetation types | Eravikulam National Park consists of three types of vegetation: Grasslands, Shrublands, and Shola forests. |
| Flora | The Park supports a wide range of plant diversity, including grasses, shrubs, and trees adapted to high-altitude conditions. |
| Fauna | Fauna comprises Elephants, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Leopard, Tiger, Sloth Bear, and Wild Dog. |