Syllabus section : Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Myristica swamp treefrog, has been recorded for the first time in the Vazhachal Reserve Forest in Kerala’s Thrissur district.

About:

• It’s scientific name is Mercuranamyristicapalustris.

• These frogs are rare and elusive for the reason that they are arboreal and active only for a few weeks during their breeding season.

• During this season, there is a large aggregation of males that descend from the high canopy of the trees.

• The males vocalise in groups from the low perches in the swamps.

• They exhibit unique breeding behaviour.

• The breeding season, unlike for other frogs, starts in the pre-monsoon season (May) and ends before the monsoon.

 

 

Source: The Hindu