Researchers found Hylarana Gracilis frog in Eastern Ghats of India

HYDERABAD: Researchers from various Indian institutions discovered Hylarana Gracilis in the Eastern Ghats of India. Deepa Jaiswal from ZSI Hyderabad confirmed this finding in Andhra Pradesh’s Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary.

Research collaboration: Institutions involved in discovery

Collaborating with the ZSI Freshwater Biology Regional Centre in Hyderabad, ZSI Western Regional Centre in Pune, Maharashtra, and the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, the researchers made this significant discovery.

A single golden-backed frog was initially found hiding behind a wet, rotten log near a small pond in Gounithimmepalle within the sanctuary.  Further searches revealed more frogs of the same species hidden behind lemon grass bushes near another pond in the area. The captured specimens were photographed, humanely euthanized, and preserved in 70% alcohol for thorough examination.

Morphometric measurements were conducted under a microscope to gather essential data for the study. Hylarana gracilis, previously believed to only inhabit Sri Lanka also known as Gravenhorst’s frog or Sri Lanka wood frog. It belongs to the Ranidae family and was commonly found in various districts including Anuradhapura, Galle, and Kandy, from sea level to 1250 meters.

Field findings

This new discovery in the Eastern Ghats, at an elevation of around 700 meters, represents a geographical separation of approximately 700 km across the Indian Ocean from its known habitat.

The split between India and Sri Lanka occurred around 15 million years ago during the early Miocene era. The genetic difference between populations in the Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka indicates a recent dispersal event during the late Pleistocene, roughly 10,000 years ago.

Deepa Jaiswal from ZSI Hyderabad emphasized the importance of extensive field studies in the Eastern Ghats, suggesting that its biodiversity may be more diverse than previously recognized. This discovery not only expands the known distribution of Hylarana gracilis but also offers new opportunities for research into historical biogeography and ecological connections between India and Sri Lanka.