Charles Darwin’s frog: Endemic Andaman species breeding in unnatural sites due to habitat loss & competition for limited resources

Sub: Env

Sec: Species in news

Context:

The Charles Darwin frog, Minervarya charlesdarwini, found only in the Andaman Islands, exhibits unique mating behavior, involving upside-down mating and egg-laying.
Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Delhi studied this species over three consecutive monsoons, observing this distinct behaviour in tree cavities where frogs mate and lay eggs with their bodies above the water.

Adaptation to Environmental Changes

The species has adapted to environmental changes by using human waste, such as plastic and metal containers, as breeding sites due to the loss and fragmentation of forest habitats.
This behaviour has significant conservation implications, as the frog is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Male Charles Darwin frogs display aggressive behaviours during mating, including complex calls, physical fights, and attempts to disrupt mating pairs, which rarely result in fatalities.

Conservation Concerns and Recommendations:

The use of trash for breeding is concerning, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect natural breeding sites and maintain the species’ survival.
The research emphasizes the impact of human disturbances on species like the Charles Darwin frog, urging for the preservation of its specialized microhabitats.
The frog belongs to the Dicroglossidae family, a group with over 220 species, and its unique adaptations underscore the diverse reproductive behaviours still unexplored in biodiversity hotspots.

Source: DTE