The Wildlife Trust of India recently conducted an evaluation under the framework of the 2nd edition of the Global Amphibian Assessment, operated by the Amphibian Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The results disclosed the precarious state of the Dancing Frogs endemic to the Western Ghats. This particular genus is now considered the most threatened amongst all Indo-Malayan categories and ranks fifth globally.
Understanding Dancing Frogs
Dancing Frogs, scientific name Micrixalus, are a unique group of frogs known for their exceptional behavior. Noteworthy among these behaviors is their mating display, in which males extend their legs and wave their webbed toes. This foot-flagging is an essential visual cue, attracting female mates and signaling rival males.
Habitat of The Dancing Frogs
These frogs show a marked preference for areas with significant canopy coverage, around 70-80%. They tend to congregate near slow-flowing perennial streams within the Western Ghats region. This choice of habitat makes them particularly sensitive to environmental changes and anthropogenic disruptions.
The Threats Faced
The population of dancing frogs currently faces several threats, mostly resulting from human activity. Invasive species such as the Mosquito Fish have devastated their habitats. Land use changes, variations in temperature and humidity, extreme weather patterns, infectious diseases, and water contamination present significant challenges. Light pollution and infrastructural developments like dams further exacerbate the threats to these uniquely Indian amphibians.
Conservation Efforts for the Dancing Frogs
The alarming decline in the global amphibian populace, with a consequential increase in the percentage tagged as threatened with extinction, has sparked off a series of mitigation initiatives. Prominent among these is the Wildlife Trust of India’s Amphibian Recovery Project. This project includes conservation planning, threat reduction measures, capacity enhancement, training, advocacy, and information dissemination as part of its strategy.
Current Status of Dancing Frogs
In the assessment carried out, 24 species of the Micrixalus genus were examined. The study found two species to be critically endangered, while 15 others were categorized as endangered. This revelation places the dancing frogs at the top of the threat list for all Indo-Malayan genera. Globally, with 92% of its species in the threatened category, this genus ranks as the fifth most at risk. The survival of these uniquely Indian amphibians requires immediate action to preserve their natural habitats and ensure their optimal living conditions are maintained.
