Anuran Biodiversity of Barak Valley, Assam and Impact of Human Interference Mithra Dey1, Jayanta Roy2, Dulumoni Tamuly3 and Pammi Singh4

Abstract including this region. Dey and Gupta (1999) In an inventory of anurans taken from Barak Valley recorded eleven species of anurans belonging to nine region of South Assam we recorded twenty species genera and five families and Das et al (2009) belonging to 6 families, namely Bufonidae, recorded 23 species of anurans from the Borail Megophryidae, Microhylidae, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae Wildlife Sanctuary which borders the Barak Valley and Rhacophoridae. Microhyla berdmorei, Fejervarya region in the north. Studies on anurans from Barak teraiensis, F. pierrei, F. nepalensis, F. syhadrensis, Valley include the description of Kaloula pulchra (Dey Clinotarsus alticola, Humarana humeralis, Philautus and Gupta, 2002), reporting of Microhyla heymonsi sp. and Chiromantis vittatuswere were recorded for (Grosslet, et al., 2004), feeding habit of anuran the first time from the study area. Philautus sp. was tadpoles from Barak Valley (Dey, 2008), and habitat recorded by its distinctive call from eco-forest. In selection of anurans from the valley (Dey, 2010). this study, the major anthropogenic threats to anuran diversity were identified and some conservation Study area strategies to counter the threats have been The present study was carried out in different sites in discussed. Barak Valley Region of South Assam comprises three districts viz. Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj (24˚8′ Introduction N and 25˚8′N 92˚15′E and 93˚15′E) is a part of this Northeast India, is an important part of the Indo- hotspot. It encompasses an area of 6992 sq. km. Myanmar biodiversity hotspot and supports some of occupying about 9% of the total land area of Assam the areas that are biologically the richest in the and has a population of over 30 lakhs. The valley, world. The region has myriad freshwater ecosystems drained by river Barak and its tributaries, is bounded along with thick tropical vegetation which offer by the North Cachar Hills district of Assam and Jaintia excellent habitats for anurans. Habitat plays a crucial Hills districts of Meghalaya in the North, Mizoram in role in the survival of any species and in the case of the South, Manipur in the East and the state of amphibians both aquatic and terrestrial habitat is Tripura and Sylhet district of Bangladesh in the West needed for their biphasic life history and small (Fig 1). This region abounds in freshwater systems degrees of anthropogenic activity might affect their including wetlands in the flood plains of River Barak distribution, foraging and breeding (Marsh and and its tributaries, tanks and ponds of varying sizes, Pearman, 1997). Habitat loss and habitat alteration streams, pools, marshes and others. The hilly region are generally considered the most important causes has tea plantations and agriculture dominates the of amphibian population decline (Wake, 1991; Sala et plains area. A large part of agricultural land has al, 2000, Young et al, 2001, Cushman, 2006; been converted into brick kilns. The primary Pillsbury and Miller, 2008). Urbanization and other vegetation is tropical semi-evergreen to moist developmental activities might cause habitat loss, evergreen forest. The secondary landscape includes fragmentation and degradation along with pollution of cultivated flatlands, bamboo plantation, areca nut natural habitats creating unsuitable conditions for and betel vine plantation as well as village gardens. anuran survival. Fragmentation of habitat leads to The study was conducted in tea gardens, agricultural loss of native habitat, movement from one suitable fields, forest, wetlands, urban areas, ponds, pools, habitat to another, affects foraging ability and also streams etc. The study area also included loss of resources. Fragmentation also leads to Panchgram in Hailakandi District which is an smaller subpopulations which become prone to industrial area having the Cachar Paper Mill. A part extinction. Although larger vertebrates like primates of the study was conducted in and around the Assam have derived a lot of attention in this region, University Campus and an adjacent Tea estate amphibians have remained neglected regarding their (Rosekandy TE) which is connected by a metalled population status, conservation etc. road. The study area included disturbed and undisturbed habitats. The undisturbed habitat Compared to the Brahmaputra valley, herpetological includes the Ecoforest within the Assam University knowledge of Barak valley is still lacking although, campus without human interference. The disturbed the region has received herpetological attention as area consists of areas with human settlements where early as 1904 where a Caellian - Gegeneophis fulleri the construction process is going on inside the (Alcock, 1904) was reported from Kuttal (Kathal) in University Campus or adjacent areas of Eco-forest Cachar district (Dutta, 1997). The same now, Chikila fulleri has been recorded by Kamei et al., 2012 and is the basis of description of a new family and genus 1,2,3&4 “Chikilidae and “Chikila”. The same has been Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India recorded from several parts of Northeast India Email: [email protected]

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 20 P-100 camera and due to lack of sound/video recorder the same camera was used for video and sound recording wherever possible. During field survey the following equipments were used: Polythene bags, plastic bottles, snake catching stick, frog catching net, field notebook, leech-guard, high power charging light, torch light, etc.

Result Table 1 and Table 2 present the checklist of the adults and tadpoles of anuran fauna from Barak Valley region.

Twenty species of anurans belonging to 6 families were recorded, belonging to Bufonidae, Megophryidae, Microhylidae, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae and Rhacophoridae. Microhyla berdmorei, Fejervarya teraiensis, F. pierrei, F. nepalensis, F. syhadrensis, Clinotarsus alticola, Humarana humeralis, Philautus sp. and Chiromantis vittatus were recorded for the first time during the present study (2010-2011) from forest, tea gardens, and other diverse landscapes which included both disturbed and undisturbed habitats. Tadpoles of nine species were recorded and identified by rearing to adult from four areas and is presented in the present study (other sites are omitted in the present discussion). The tadpoles were collected from aquatic habitats within forests, tea garden, urban locality, paddy Fig 1. Map of Barak Valley , Assam fields and included both permanent and temporary water while the undisturbed area and Dutta, 1986). During bodies (Table 2). Table 3 presents includes the areas which are inside breeding season the call of the the record of anurans and other herpetofauna from Barak Valley the eco-forest without any human male anurans helped in tracing out region as recorded by other settlements or any other forms of the frogs/toads. The locality, date, workers. Table 4 presents total human pressure. time, microhabitat of each number of herpetofauna found individual was recorded. Some of Methods the specimens collected were dead on the road due to vehicular Tadpoles and aquatic adults were deposited at the Zoological Survey movement. Fig 2 presents the collected by the use of dip nets. of India, Kolkata for identification number of anurans recorded in For more terrestrial species the and for preservation as voucher undisturbed and disturbed area area was actively searched and specimens. The more rare ones within the Assam university campus and Fig.3 shows the visual inspection of various were caught, identified, percentage of herpetofauna found habitats was carried out during the photographed and released back dead due to vehicular movement day and night. Adults were caught into their habitat. Acoustic by hand and flashlights were used searching was also done, species on the road. during the nocturnal survey (Inger were photographed using NIKON

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 21 Table 1. Status of anurans (amphibian) in N.E India and Barak Valley.

Sl. Species name Family Status No Northeast India Barak Valley Indian WLPA 1972 Status

1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Bufonidae None LC Common 2 Leptobrachium smithi Megophryidae None LC Common 3 Kaloula pulchra Microhylidae None LC Rare 4 Microhyla ornata None LC Common 5 Microhyla berdmorei Rare 6 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Dicroglossidae Schedule IV LC Abundant 7 Fejervarya teraiensis ------Abundant 8 Fejervarya pierrei Schedule IV LC Common 9 Fejervarya nepalensis --- LC Abundant 10 Fejervarya sahydrensis -- -- Abundant 11 Fejarvarya limnocharis LC Abundant 12 Hoplobatracustigerinus Schedule IV LC Common 13 Hylarana taipehensis Ranidae Schedule IV LC Rare 14 Sylvirana leptoglossa Schedule IV LC Common 15 Clinotarsus alticola - - - 16 Humarana humaralis - - - 17 Rana sp. - - - 18 Polypedates teraiensis Rhacophoridae None LC Common 19 Philautus sp. - - - 20 Chiromantis vittatus - - -

LC - Least Concerned

DISCUSSION pulchra, Duttaphrynus were found killed by vehicular Threats and conservation melanostictus and Polypedates traffic, of which Duttaphrynus issues teraiensis were recorded only from melanostictus, was highest in The present paper focuses on the the disturbed areas or area having number (n=118). Fig. 3 anuran biodiversity of Barak Valley human settlements. The study represents percentage of and on the impact of human showed that human activities herpetofauna killed on road by activities on them. During the affected the distribution of the vehicular traffic which includes all present study the number of anurans putting a pressure on types of vehicle like trucks, bus, anurans recorded in disturbed and their survival. sumo, autorickshaws, light undistributed area within the vehicles like cars and two Assam University campus is shown Road Kill of Anurans and other wheelers. Earth cutting and in Fig 2. The number caught in herpetofauna by vehicular deforestation are part of undisturbed area was 402 and in traffic urbanization and is leading to disturbed area was 288 (present Anurans are an integral part of habitat loss and degradation of study). The Chi-square value was herpetofauna, which are generally quality of habitat. Earth cutting is found to be highly significant (χ2 = slow moving vertebrates and often done for road construction and 18.83, df = 1, p < 0.01) in move across metalled roads. Due earth filling of low-lying area is disturbed and undisturbed area to increase in vehicular traffic they common practice for setting up of although number of species face the threat of being killed by small and medium industries as occurring in the two areas fast moving vehicles (Table 4). well as construction of residential considered was same, i.e. 11 During the present study complex. The construction of six species; three species- conducted during 2010-2011 on a lane Maha Sadhak i.e Silchar- Leptobrachium smithi, Hylarana road running through Assam Haflong road and the conversion of taipehensis and Microhyla University campus (from the gate meter gauge railway line to broad berdmorai were found only in the upto Rosekandy TE), a length of gauge line between Silchar and undisturbed area while Kaloula 3.5 Kms, 133 individual anurans Lumding might impact

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 22 Table 2. List of tadpoles collected from different sites during 2010-2012 herpetofauna in the ecosystem leads to loss by killing in large Name of the Rosekandy Panchgram Durgakona AUS number. Myths and wrong ideas species TE campus like all frogs are poisonous and 1. Microhyla ornata + + + + that they bite also lead to killing of 2. Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis + + + + frogs and reptiles out of fear. 3. Duttaphrynus + + + + Workshops and awareness melanostictus 4. P.leucomystax - - + + programs should be conducted to 5. F. limnocharis + - - + make people aware and this has 6. Leptobrachium smithi + - + - to be done involving school 7. Clinotarsus alticola + - - - students with the help of local 8. H.tigerinus - + - - NGOs. Road kill of some slow 9. Microhyla berdmorei + - - - moving herpetofauna by vehicular traffic is common with the number herpetofaunal biodiversity. Both reclamation of ponds and wetlands of vehicles increasing in the area. the projects run through and near is taking place at a fast rate. In the present study conducted the Borail Hill Range and Borail Filling up these habitats for near the Assam University campus Wildlife sanctuary which is very building of residential complexesis revealed 89% of the total herpetofauna killed on road Table 3. Record of herpetofauna of the region reported by other workers consisted of frogs and Duttaphrynus melanostictus was Number of Species Type Location Reported by highest in number. Although 23 (anuran species) Anuran Borail Wild Life Das, et.al 2009 studies in this aspect in our Sanctuary country is lacking, Das (2007) 1 (Microhyla heymonsi) Anuran Ecoforest, AUS Dutta et.al., 2008 (not recorded high incidence of road found in the present kill in reptiles in a highway study) segment passing along southern boundary of Kaziranga National rich in biodiversity including being practiced which has led to Park. herpetofauna. Change in land use loss of breeding grounds of the pattern and conversion of amphibian fauna. Anurans in Deforestation and fragmentation commonly causes losses from agricultural land to brick kilns have general lay eggs in ponds, ditches tropical forests and the Western become common practice in the and ephemeral pools and loss of Ghat amphibians are facing habitat valley as brick kilns are profitable aquatic bodies disturb their life form of business but it is also cycle. Several breeding sites have loss induced by deforestation and responsible for loss of habitat. been lost between 1999 and the fragmentation (Daniels, 1999; Heat generated in the brick kilns present study mostly due to Molur and Walker, 1998). The causes rise of soil temperature garbage disposal. Some anuran forests of northeast India and in making it unsuitable for anuran species like Hoplobatrachus Barak valley are under tremendous pressure of exploitation. Loss of survival. tigirinus, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis forest cover due to illegal forest and Fejervarya sp. are valued as felling and also collection of fuel Ponds were a natural feature in food and are hunted in large every house in Barak Valley which number during the rainy season at has led to tremendous loss of not only provided water but also night. Duttaphrynus melanostictus forest cover. Even inside the served as a habitat for different is used for dissection in science ecoforest there is collection of organisms including the anurans. classes; killing out of fear and lack various forest products like But due to rapid urbanisation of knowledge about the utility of bamboo, fire woods, fishes, crabs, honey etc. Since, the ecoforest is dominated by dolu bamboo (Schizostachyum dulooa), the local people usually come to the forest for collecting those bamboos. The landscape and particularly the vegetation have been significantly altered leading to loss and degradation of habitat. Deforestation causes rise in atmospheric temperature and loss of vegetation cover which reduces evaporation and affects Fig 2: Number of individuals found in Undisturbed and Disturbed area hydrological cycle. Changes in

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 23 Table 4: Total number of Herpetofauna found dead on road due to rainfall pattern and temperature vehicular movement. have affected the anuran habitat in the region (Dey, 2011). Water Species Common Name Number quality and the structure of the vegetative community are seen to Family: Bufonidae affect the survival of anurans. Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Asian Toad 118 Changes in water quality like lack of dissolved oxygen, changes in Family: Rhacophoridae PH, salinity etc. effect not only Polypedates teraiensis Common Tree Frog 7 reproduction but also food availability for both. Family: Dicroglossidae

Hoplobatracus tigerinus Indian Bull Frog 5 Chikila fulleri has been reported from the Barak Valley by Kamei et Fejervarya nepalensis Nepal Cricket Frog 2 al., (2012) and from other parts Family: Microhylidae of North east India. This indicates that certain species may be Kaloula pulchra Painted Balloon Frog 1 endangered and are also being Frogs and toads 133 lost; long term study on anuran population is necessary to Family: Colubridae understand their present status. Lycodon aulicus Common Wolf snake 3 Another human activity is the indiscriminate use of fertilizers Xenochrophis piscator Checkered Keelback 7 and pesticides in agriculture and (Dhura) tea gardens which affects the Lycodon jara Yellow-spotted Wolf snake 1 anurans both adults and tadpoles. Extensive study by Daniels (2003) Ptyas mucosa Indian Rat Snake 1 on tea gardens have revealed that heavy rainfall might wash the Family: Typhlopidae pesticides from exposed surfaces Typhlops diardii Diard’s Blind snake 1 to water habitats which have immense affect on breeding of Snakes 13 anurans. Use of pesticides like Family: Agamidae DDT, eldrin, malathion affect the Calotes versicolor 3 immune system of amphibians (Daniel, 2003) and tea gardens in Lizards 3 Western Ghats support large Total 149 number of amphibians which are confronted with environmental contamination. Similarly study on acute toxicity of endosulphan on tadpoles of D. melanostictus, M. ornata and F. limnocharis showed consistent decrease in size (total length) at all the concentrations of endosulfan (a commonly used pesticide) (Dey and Gupta, 2002) and endosulfan was also found to induce behavioural changes such as tremor, convulsions and erratic swimming behaviour in the tadpoles of the three anuran species. Such impact on the lifecycle of anurans is dangerous for their survival. Hence, pesticides and fertilizers should be screened properly for residual effect before application. Insects and other soil microfauna having any residual effect of pesticides Fig. 3. Percentage of herpetofauna found dead due to vehicular movement on road and fertizers will have a direct

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 24 Chiromantis vittatus Clinotarsus alticola Duttaphrynus melanostictus

Euphlyctis cyanophylctis Leptobrachium smithi Hoplobatrachus tigirinus

Hoplobatrachus crassus Fejervarya pierrei Humerana humeralis

Hylarana taipehensis

Microhyla ornata

Kaloula pulchra

Fejarvarya sahydrensis Microhyla berdmorai Fejarvarya limnocharis

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXX, Number 4 April 2015 25 effect on the adult amphibians which feed on Sanctuary and adjacent regions, Assam, northeastern India. different insects and soil fauna. Hamadryad, 34(1). 117-134. Dey, M. & A. Gupta, (1999). Ecology of the anurans of Conclusion Barak Valley, Assam. Frogleg Vol.III (2), pp. 3-4. Dey, M. & A. Gupta (2002). Acute Toxicity of To conserve the anurans and other herpetofauna in Endosulphans on three anuran tadpoles. Journal of urban areas we need to maintain structural Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring 12(1): 61-65. complexity in remnant habitat patches, and Dey, M. (2008). Food habit of Anuran Larvae from Barak implement strategic policies and management actions Valley, Northeastern India. Hamadryad Vol. 33, pp. 107– that protect habitat remnants and habitat corridors. 117. Within urban areas maintenance of aquatic habitat Dey, M. (2010). A study on the Habitat selection and like ponds and lakes must be made compulsory which probable anthropogenic threats of Anuran in Barak Valley, will not only provide suitable habitat but will also act North East India. Assam University Journal of Science & as water storage systems. Massive afforestation Technology-Biology and Environmental Science 6(1):28-36. programs have to be undertaken to bring back forest Dey, M. (2011). Impact of Urban Development and Climate Change on Biodiversity with Special attention to cover which serve as important habitat for the the Herpetofauna in Barak Valley, North east India. In anuran biodiversity. Afforestation will also make up Proceedings of International Conference on for the damage caused by deforestation process. Environmental Technology and Construction Engineering Conservation attitude must be generated in the for Sustainable Development, Bangladesh. general public and myths and common beliefs like all Dutta, B.K., A. Gupta, A.K. Das & A. De (2008). Ecology herpetofaunas are poisonous and fatal should be and Biodiversity of Assam University Campus; Department removed from the mind of people. Knowledge of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, regarding utility of the anurans like pest control Silchar, India. agents, indicator of environmental conditions, Dutta, S.K. (1997). Amphibians of India and Sri Lanka providing food for next higher carnivorous (Checklist and Bibliography). Odyssey Publishing House, Bhubaneswar, pp 342+xxii. vertebrates must be generated among the public, which will help save these vertebrates from Grosselet, O., S. Sengupta., A. Gupta, M. Vauche and extinction. Barak Valley has excellent topography, M. Gupta (2004). Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911 (Anura: climate, and landscape for variety of herpetofauna Microhylidae) from mainland India, with bioacaustic analysis and is also part of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots, of its adversiting call. Hamadryad 21(1), 131-133. hence long term study needs to be taken up with the Inger, R.F. and S.K. Dutta (1986). An overview of the help of modern techniques and collaboration with amphibian fauna of India.J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc. 83: wildlife institutes and NGOs dedicated to the cause of 135-146. amphibians. Conservation attitudes and steps can be Kamei et al. (2012). http:// shared and collaborations established so that this rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/ 279/1737/2396.full.pdf+html group of vertebrates may be conserved and saved Marsh, D.M. & P.B. Pearman (1997). Effects of habitat from mass extinction. fragmentation on the abundance of two species ofLeptodactylid frogs in an Andean montane forest. Acknowledgement Conservation Biology 11, 1323–1328. The authors are grateful to UGC for Financial Molur, S. & S. Walker (1998). Conservation Assistance provided and to Department of Ecology assessment of the herpetofauna of India-an overview. and Environmental Science,AUS for all facilities Hamadryad 23(2): 169-178. provided. Pillsbury F.C. & J.R. Miller (2008). Habitat and landscape characteristics underlying anuran community structure References along an urban-rural gradient. Ecological applications. Cushman, S.A. (2006). Effects of habitat loss and 18:1107-1118. fragmentation on amphibians: A review and prospectus. Sala, O.E., F.S.I. Chapin, J.J. Armesto, E. Berlow, J. Bloomfield, R. Dirzo, E. Huber-Sanwald, L.F. Biological Conservation 128: 231–240. Daniels, R.J.R. (1999). Status of amphibian diversity in Huenneke, R.B. Jackson, A. Kinzig, R. Leemans, D.M. India. Cobra 35-36: 25-28. Lodge, H.A. Mooney, M. Oesterheld, N.L. Poff, M.T. Daniels, R.J.R. (2003). Impact of Tea cultivation on Sykes, B.H. Walker, M. Walker, D.H. Wall (2000). anurans in Western Ghats. Current Science 85 (10): Global biodiversity scenarios for the year 2100. ScienceOxford. 287, 1770-1774 1415-1422. Das, A. (2008). Diversity and Distribution of Wake, D.B. (1991). Declining amphibian populations, Herpetofauna and Evaluation of their Conservation Status Science 253, 860. in the Barail Hill Range (including the Barail Wildlife Young, B. et al. (2001). Population declines and priorities Sanctuary) Assam, Northeast India. Aaranyak. for amphibian conservation in Latin America. Conservation Biology 15(5), 1213-1223. Das, A., M.F. Ahmed, B.P. Lahkar, & P. Sharma (2007). A preliminary report of reptilian mortality on road due to vehicular movements near Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Zoo’s Print Journal 22(7): 2742-2744. Das, A., U. Saikia, B.H.C.K. Murthy, S. Dey & S.K. Dutta (2009). A herpetofaunal inventory of Borail Wildlife

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