Genus Rohanixalus New Tree Frog | UPSC | Explained :Â Rohanixalus is a genus of tree frogs in the family Rhacophoridae native to the Andaman islands and Indo-Burma region. The genus was established in 2020 by Indian herpetologist S.D. Biju of the University of Delhi and his colleagues.The genus comprises eight species.
- Family Of Frog : Rhacophoridae
About Genus Rohanixalus New Tree Frog :
- The tree frog is named Rohanixalus after the Sri Lankan taxonomist Rohan Pethiyagoda.
- Â The frogs of the new genus have a small and slender body with a size of about 2 to 3cm.
- They have a pair of contrastingly coloured lateral lines on either side of the body with tiny brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body.
- The frogs lay eggs in arboreal bubble-nests which are light green.
- The genus has a unique behavioural trait of maternal egg attendance.
- The female frogs watch over the egg clutches until tadpoles are hatched and the female frog assists the tadpoles into the water.
- The females sit over the eggs during the first three days after laying eggs.
- They produce a gelatinous secretion with which she glazes the egg mass through the clockwise movement of her legs.
- This produces necessary moisture to the eggs laid on exposed leaf surfaces and protects from insect prediction.
- Field studies revealed that the frogs lay eggs in clutches and the researchers have found eggs at various developmental stages on a single leaf or plant.
- The frogs all display territorial behavior and frequent male-male combats which involve pushing, kicking, and dislodging to successfully mate with the female
Bodily Features :Â Rare Yellow Turtle UPSC | Species In news
- Small and slender body (2-3 cm long).
- A pair of contrastingly coloured lateral lines on either side of the body.
- Minute brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body.
- Light green-coloured eggs laid in arboreal bubble-nests.
- Arboreal means living in trees or related trees
- They are also known as Asian Glass Frog or see through frogs.
