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Haa District. Amphibians of Punakha-Wangdue Phodrang Valley, This study ¹ Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal & ² Dhan Bahadhur Gurung attempted to supplement ¹΄²College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, the earlier works and aimed

Lobesa, to document the diversity Punakha, Bhutan of amphibians of Punakha- Email: ¹[email protected] (Corresponding Author) Wangdue Phodrang Valley with the notion to create

Introduction awareness on what kinds of Dubois, 2001), and Ahmed amphibians we have in the Amphibians were et al. (2009) on presence of valley and how helpful they the first vertebrates to Clinotarsus alticola are to human kind, for the have colonized the land (Boulenger, 1882) do not local people and others. about 220 million years ago specify location. Except for The research also intended (Daniels 2005). They are the Tylototriton verrucosus, to supplement the claim grouped under three which was confirmed by that Bhutan is rich in orders, namely Caudata Palden (2003) from biodiversity and produced (tailed), Gymnophiona Thinleygang, then an annotated list of (limbless) and Anura District, others still remain amphibians for Bhutan. (quadruped). Studies have an enigma even today. Further, it is expected to confirmed the sensitivity of Even the record of indicate changes in local the amphibians to climate Raorchestes annandali habitats due to the ongoing and habitat changes. (Boulenger, 1906) in Punatshangchu Hydropower Hence, they are used as (AmphibiaWeb) is Project and provide source of information for questionable. Further the baseline data for the pre the local and global climate work of Frost (2012) also dam situation of the valley changes for taking up does not specify the and data for further necessary mitigation works location, raising questions studies. The specific for the sake of mankind. on the credibility of the objectives of this study Therefore, this taxon is one information. But, there are included mapping of of the most explored some confirmed works that amphibian habitats, listing subjects outside Bhutan. include Das & Palden species, collection of wet The amphibian fauna of (2000) who reported the specimens and creating Bhutan is poorly explored. presence of Duttaphrynus awareness amongst the Thus, this study in melanostictus (Schneider, people of the valley. Punakha- Wangdue 1799), Amolops Phodrang Valley is marmoratus (Blyth, 1855), Methods significant being the first Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis study of its kind in the (Schneider, 1799), Since the primary Kingdom. Even a few Hoplobatrachus tigerinus objective of this study was existing papers on the (Daudin, 1802), Fejervarya the collection and amphibians of Bhutan are cf. limnocharis identification of species to questionable. Reports of (Gravenhorst, 1829) and understand the diversity, Frost (1985) on presence of Rana (Sylvirana) sp. from the method applied was Himalayan Newts southern Bhutan. Deuti visual encounter surveys Tylototriton verrucosus (2010), who, based on the (Campbell & Christman (Anderson, 1871), Delorme 1969 collection of 1982; Corn & Bury 1989) & Dubois (2001) on Zoological Survey of India, followed by pursued endemic Scutiger reported presence of collection whenever bhutanensis (Delorme & Liebig’s Hill Frog, Nanorana possible. A systematic liebigii (Gunther, 1860) in

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(2010), and Vasudevan &

Sondhi (2010). Besides photography, calls were

recorded to help field Wangyal identifications. A time- constrained search technique was used because the study area had several habitat types, viz., paddy fields, roadsides, and forests. However, the

Tshelthrim Jigme by Map search area (Figure 1) within the valley was not fixed as any amphibian species encountered anywhere within the valley was considered for diversity. The search time for the selected areas was three hours in a day and three hours at night constantly for two weeks which proved rewarding as the researcher was alone most of the time. The other methods applied in this study were nocturnal road cruising and opportunistic Figure 1. The map of two Dzongkhags where the study was conducted collecting. Rainy nights results and discussion were taken as an advantage to catch the amphibians that move search during day and night Since killing has been along the roads. While in the month of July and considered unethical, the short distances were August was conducted in species collected were covered by walking, longer and around the identified released after necessary distances were covered forests, paddy fields and morphometric data using cars. The records of roadsides. All the collection. Cameras and the dead amphibians on amphibians that were portable tape-recorders roads and human habitats encountered during the were used to record the were also considered for survey were identified and species specific data. the study. recorded. Specific habitat Taxonomically important details of where the photographs of live Results and discussion specimen was collected amphibians were taken. such as time of collection, The identification The study uncovered altitude, habitat, behavior, references used in the field nine amphibian species in etc. were recorded as field include Smith (1931, 1935, the valley belonging to six data with the help of GPS 1943), Daniels (2005), families. The result is and physical observations. Yang & Rao (2008), Ahmed significant in view of the et al. (2009), Fei et al. lack of data and studies on the taxon in Bhutan. Counting on the past

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Table 1. Shannon Index (H) and evenness (E) Table for Toebisa

Sl. No. of # Species individuals Pi LnPi pi*Lnpi Polypedates cf. 1 himalayensis 13 0.18 -1.70 -0.31 2 Nanorana liebigii 2 0.03 -3.57 -0.10

3 Nanorana species (new) 1 0.01 -4.26 -0.06

Duttaphrynus

4 melanostictus 7 0.10 -2.32 -0.23

Xenophrys cf.

5 nankiangensis 11 0.15 -1.86 -0.29

6 Tylototriton verrucosus 37 0.52 -0.65 -0.34 71 1.00 -14.36 -1.33 * To calculate E, natural log of diversity (S) has been used throughout (E =H/LnS).

records based on the amphibian species. of -1.33 in Toebisa (Table papers by Das & Palden However, the most 1), -1.4 in Kabjisa (Table 2) (2000), Frost (2012), significant finding of this and -1.41 in Kazhi (Table Ahmed et. al (2009), the study was the discovery of 3). This indicates that the total number of amphibian a Nanorana species for diversity is slightly higher species so for recorded Bhutan creating an in Toebisa than Kabjisa and from Bhutan was 13. With opportunity for further Kazhi which is this study, five more research. substantiated by the value species, Duttaphrynus cf. of S which is equal to 6, 6 stuarti (Smith, 1929), Diversity and 5 respectively in three Amolops cf. monticola habitats. Therefore, it is fair (Anderson, 1871), This study confirms enough to assume that Xenophrys cf. presence of nine species Toebisa is richer than the nankiangensis (Liu & Hu, including the Tylototriton other two localities. 1966), Polypedates cf. verrucosus belonging to himalayensis (Annandale, two orders (Caudata and Evenness (E) and 1912) and an undescribed Salientia) and six families, Shannon Diversity Index species of Nanorana are viz., Salamandridae, (H) of the three study sites added to the list of Ranidae, Rhacophoridae, were compared (Table 4). amphibians of Bhutan, Dicroglossidae, Bufonidae The result showed pushing the number of and Megophryidae. The insignificant differences species from Bhutan to 18 results of the analysis between the three which may just be a small showed diversity index (H) proportion of the Kingdom’s

Table 2. Shannon Index (H) and evenness (E) Table for Kabjisa

Sl. # Species No. of individuals Pi LnPi pi*Lnpi 1 Polypedates cf. himalayensis 17 0.35 -1.06 -0.37

2 Nanorana liebigii 2 0.04 -3.20 -0.13

3 Duttaphrynus himalayanus 3 0.06 -2.79 -0.17 4 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 5 0.10 -2.28 -0.23 5 Duttaphrynus cf. stuarti 2 0.04 -3.20 -0.13

6 Tylototriton verrucosus 20 0.41 -0.90 -0.37

49 1.00 -13.43 -1.40 33

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Table 3. Shannon Index (H) and evenness (E) Table for Kazhi

Sl. # Species Kazhi Pi LnPi pi*Lnpi 1 Amolops cf. monticola 3 0.05 -2.93 -0.16

2 Polypedates cf. himalayensis 12 0.21 -1.54 -0.33

3 Duttaphrynus himalayanus 5 0.09 -2.42 -0.22 4 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 13 0.23 -1.46 -0.34 5 Tylototriton verrucosus 23 0.41 -0.89 -0.37

56 1.00 -9.23 -1.41

localities, the value of both is home to several other of an Amolops species being E and H being very close to animals including the available in the area. each other in all habitats amphibians. Further Unfortunately though, none (Figure 2). The value investigation at the villages could be collected during (E<1), indicated that the of Thinleygang, Lemjikha, the study. In Kabjisa, the species distribution was not Totokha, Lumitsawa and most abundant amphibian equal. In ideal situation the Menchuna may reveal new was Polypedates cf. value of E=1, which means species of amphibians. A himalayensis. The village that the species are equally new species for Bhutan, paddy fields are full of distributed all across the Xenophrys cf. noise by the evening in habitat. nankiangensis was found in August with the sound of these areas. At least four “tak, tak, tak...” indicating Distribution species, Polypedates cf. the rich presence of the himalayensis, Duttaphrynus species. The villages of As indicated by the melanostictus, Nanorana Kazhi are big and there diversity index (H), the leibigii and Tylototriton could be lot more species distribution of the species is verrucosus comes from a besides Tylototriton uneven in the three single village, Goemkha. A verrucosus and Polypedates habitats. In Toebisa, the villager gave a description cf. himalayensis. Further amphibians were found around the paddy fields and numerous streams that Figure 2. Comparison between the E and H in three study sites dissect the Gewog. Toebrongchu, a perennial stream which is the lifeline of the people of Gewog has numerous species of fishes, macroinvertebrates and it

Table 4 Evenness (E) and diversity index (H) compared

Shannon Diversity Evenness Study areas Index (H) (E)

Toebisa -1.33 -0.74 Kabjisa -1.4 -0.78 Kazhi -1.41 -0.88

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Figure 3. The distribution map of amphibians in the study area

survey could reveal more Tylototriton verrucosus, the of Punakha Wangdue species in the locality, accounts of which are given Valley, the species were because the current in the following species collected and their distribution (Figure 3) and accounts family wise. The geolocations are all diversity has been based on species accounts include provided with a a very short study period. family, their distribution representative photographs world over and their basic taken in the field. Species accounts morphometric data such as the snout to vent length, Salamandridae This study found the fore arms and the Himalayan Salamander/ nine species amphibian forelimb length. Data on Crocodile Newt, Tylototriton including an urodele, which side verrucosus Anderson, 1871

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rounded opening. Female cloaca in the breeding season appears more

conical in shape than that of the male (Anders, Schleich, & Shah, 1998).

Distribution

Outside Bhutan, it occurs in the humid forests of India (West Bengal and and smaller, disjunct populations in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh) and eastern Nepal through the Kachin and Shan Hills of Myanmar to south-western Yunnan Image 1. Newt from Lampelri Botanical Garden China and spread out to

Namgay Dorji Photo by mountains in northern Thailand. It has recently been recorded from Lai Tylototriton verrucosus is diverging vomerine Chau Province in Vietnam. the only salamander known dentition. Fingers and toes from Bhutan. not webbed; five well developed toes with median By way of altitude, toe being the longest. Skin the records from other The genus is dorsally granular but countries show its lowest considered to be amongst ventrally smooth. Paratoids range at 1200m (Das 1987; the most primitive of the large and distinct, slightly Anders et al. 1998) and living salamanders (Das, concave. Gular fold highest to be 3350m from 1987). John Anderson, who present. Tail compressed Ukhrul, Manipur, India described the species in laterally, with well- (Dutta 1997). In Nepal, the 1871, first discovered the developed fin fold shorter lowest is recorded from species in the flooded rice than snout-vent length. 1300m (Biodiversity Profile fields near the small Dorsum and venter are Project 1995b) and highest Chinese town of Nantin. uniformly dark brown in from 2150m (Anders et al. Body, rather slender with colour with tail and palm 1998). In Bhutan, the flat head with characteristic being lighter. The ventral lowest record comes from ridges and large slightly edge of tail is sometimes Toebrongchu bank at an concave parotoids (Image yellow or orange. Females altitude of 1255m while the 1). Snout rounded and are longer and heavier than highest altitude record is broad with nostrils close to males and during the from Lampelri at 2679m. the tip with lateral terminal breeding season, female Bhutan does not figure in nares. Eyes lateral with body is much thicker. the distribution map of this large, granular upper Females have larger heads species in the world due to eyelids. Outstanding and longer limbs, but poor reporting. However, glandular vertebral ridge. smaller cloacae and lower with this study, we confirm Dorso-lateral row of 15-16 tails (Seglie, 2002). The Tylototriton verrucosus knob-like warts on each male cloaca is distinguished from Punakha Wangdue side of body and anterior by a small longitudinal slit Phodrang Valley, Bhutan part of the tail. Has while female have a small

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Bufonidae A specimen was seen and on the head and dorsum Himalayan Toad, photographed by an Forest has black tips while warts Duttaphrynus himalayanus Extension Agent on 20 July on the sides of the body (Günther, 1864) 2011 from Damji and venter are ash grey (27010.7’N & 11032.42’E), classical to the basic body Gasa Dzongkhag at 1548hr colour. Eye pupils A large stocky toad at an altitude of 2229m. horizontal, parotids kidney with brown or yellow skin, According to local shaped and thickly covered the body being covered by information, the toad is with warts with black tips. many large warts. Unlike found almost everywhere in Fingers tips black and the Common Asian Toad, Khamey Gewog mostly rounded with relative which has strong ridge, it nearby streams and paddy length of 2<1<4<3 and has has a faint black ridge like fields and also in around two tubercles on the palm. crown on the head outlining water tanks. The specimen First finger does not extend the eye and snout. Head was taken from within beyond second. Toes half wider than long with short water tank. webbed with black rounded and blunt snout. Parotid tips. Two metatarsal glands elliptic elongate and Common Asian Toad, tubercles of equal sizes are at least as long as head. Duttaphrynus melanostictus flat. Relative toe length is Inter-orbital length greater (Schneider, 1799) 1<2<5<3<4. Dorsal than diameter of upper colouration ranges from eyelid. Tympanum small yellowish olive through and less than two-third of Large sturdy toad. reddish beige to grey or eye diameter. Dorsum with Head wider than long. brown with a pattern of irregular, partially porous Concave crown has low and irregular dark olive or warts that are globular and blunt supraorbital ridges. blackish-brown spots as is smooth and only a few Snout short, blunt and seen in various specimen warts on the legs have interorbitol space broader photos collected from keratinized tips. Venter has than the upper eyelid. small flattened warts of Tympanum inconspicuous. equal sizes. Free fingers Numerous warts have relative finger length of 2<1<4<3. Toes full Image 2. Duttaphrynus melanostictus from Goemkha webbed between digit 1 and 2 and 2 and 3. Dorsum colour uniform greyish- brown to dark brown. Venter uniform yellow to dark grey. The species can be found in glades and openings, footpaths and fields in villages and forests far from streams. Takes

advantage of breeding sites yal created by man (Schleich & Kastle 2002). Found from 1300m to 2600m (Schleich & Kastle 2002). Mostly nocturnal hiding in wall crevices and earth holes. Reproduction period from mid-April to mid-August

Wang Tshelthrim Jigme Photo by

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different parts of the Duttaphrynus cf. stuarti present on the hands, country. Habitat wise, the (Smith, 1929) suggesting a cursorial habit species can be seen up to of the species. The fingers 1800m (Schleich & Kastle Unlike the other and toes sides carry 2002) in open spaces toads, it did not secrete spinous warts and the nearby the streams and sticky mucus when warts on the dorsum paddy fields. Feeds on ants, handled. Nevertheless, observed under high beetles, etc. and stomach some distinguishing magnification reveals a contents varies with secretions were observed rounded base with a environments. The species from the skin with unique pointed tip at the centre. is crepuscular as well as smell after being touched. The tympanum was nocturnal with even turning Adults measured indistinct and smaller than diurnal during the mating approximately 75-80mm the pupil. The ventral season. It is common in possessed an inconspicuous surface of the skin was South Asia and in Bhutan it ridge on the head with less uniformly granular was first reported by Das & keratinized warts compared throughout with barring on Palden (2000) from to those of the limbs. This species Maukhola, , Duttaphrynus melanostictus probably has a wide southern Bhutan. A or D. himalayanus. It distribution in north of specimen (Image 2) of the possessed prominent Punakha and Gasa disrticts. species was photographed parotid glands with diffused The distribution of this from Goemkha (27030.53’N margins. The fore limbs species is restricted to & 89049.25’E), were longer than the other Arunachal Pradesh in India Thinleygang, Punakha two sympatric species with and Myanmar. It is thus a District on 7 August 2011 the third finger being the new record for Bhutan. Two at 1030hr at an altitude of longest and the second specimens, one from 1900m. finger shortest. The feet Punakha - Gasa highway carry big conspicuous inner (27041.52’N & 89046.01’E) metatarsal tubercles and , Gasa at palmar tubercles are an altitude of 1483m on 7 August 2011 at 0810hr with Image 3. Duttaphrynus cf. stuarti SVL = 78mm (Image 4) and another species was recorded from Rimchu Range Office area (27041.38’N & 89046.08’E), Punakha on the highway at 1725hr at an altitude of 1489m on 7 August 2011.

Rhacophoridae Himalayan Tree Frog Polypedates cf. himalayensis

The most common

species (Image 4), was found throughout the study area along the edges of ponds, paddy fields, stream edges and even on the roads at night while driving. Most of the time they were found hiding among the

Phuntsho Sonam Photo by short grasses. The snout is

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pointed and the back tympanum. The head skin carries a cross mark like being co-ossified to the that of an hourglass. The skull proves the genus of shapes and sizes of the the species to Polypedates. patterns on the dorsum are The toes are webbed with prominently dark brown on score of 12 out of 23. The a light brown or sometime palm has three clear-cut yellow background. tubercles with the middle Sometimes, the shape being the largest. The feet appear as an X disjoined at own oval and small inner the centre (Image 5) metatarsal tubercles. The Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo extending only to one half hind limbs carry bands of the body length. In most dorsally which are slightly of the specimen caught, the dark brown in colour. While posterior half had the throat region is smooth, discontinuous stripes of the belly has uniform large dark brown colour mingled granules with the granules with blots that were lined on the ventral surface of Image 5. Dorsal view of Polypedates cf. himalayensis up by the length of the the skin in the thigh region

body. The triangular snout being even larger. This

has a blunt tip with a black species is found throughout Megophryidae stripe that extends from the lower reaches of Nankiang Horned Toad the tip of the snout to the Punakha - Wangdue Xenophrys cf. shoulder marking through Phodrang Valley. nankiangensis (Liu & Hu, the eye. The circular Commonly called as 1966) tympanum appears distinct Himalayan Tree Frog

and is placed in between (Polypedates cf. A medium-sized frog the supratympanic fold and himalayensis) or Indian with the head hardly the upper lip. A cream Tree Frog, this frog is new broader than long. Pattern coloured line passes by the record for Bhutan and is on the body highly variable margin of the upper lip reported from India, Nepal, but blotches of different stretching up to the Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh patterns and shapes up to 1500m. prominent on the light

brown dorsum. Body ovoid Image 4. Polypedates cf. himalayensis in ventral view. Short

forelimbs, however the

forelimbs are a bit less than

three times the length of

forearm. Fingers free with a

big globular tubercle at the

base of the shortest finger,

the third finger being the

longest. Toes almost free

with the traces of web at

the base. Dorsum colour

light brown with some

small granular warts

arranged in rows along the

body length and darker

brown patches of various

patterns. Eye

Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo

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the streams (27029.522’N A medium sized to

& 89044.622’E) at an large frog with slender altitude of 2094m, between elongated body, flat head Lumitsawa and and long legs. In dorsal Thinleygang, Punakha view, the body is oblong District. Of the many with moderately pointed species heard calling, a anterior and posterior ends. lone individual measuring The length of the head is 50mm (SVL) was caught almost equal to its width. and photographed (Image The snout which is rounded 6) on 5 August 2011 at mainly between the nares 2145hr. Considered a juts slightly over the lower native of China, the species jaw. The nares are closer to Photo by Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo is found in Sichuan and the snout than the eyes. Gansu Provinces from The canthus rostralis is 1,600-1,850 m. IUCN indefinite and rounded. The considers it as vulnerable weak supratympanal fold is because the species is rounded and ends at the known from nearby posterior tympanum villages, where margin. The fingers possess infrastructure development large pads with circum- is heavy. The case is same marginal grooves that are for Bhutan and further largest one the 4th finger study is needed to confirm and smallest on the 1st its status. finger with the relative of Image 6. Xenophrys cf. nankiangensis 1<2<4<3. Only one inner Ranidae Mountain Cascade Frog pupil vertical and Amolops cf. monticola tympanum inconspicuous. (Anderson, 1871) Venter colour is greyish- black in the throat and up Image 7. Amolops cf. monticola from Ruric hu to the middle of the stomach with deep black blotches. The posterior part of the stomach is white with black dirty blotches suddenly followed by deep red pectoral region and the thighs and tibia up to the

toes. A single vocal sac is clearly visible. The limbs have black bars that are not so distinct. It’s known to occupy temperate shrub land and rivers, inhabiting hill streams and surrounding shrub land habitat. This species are found occupying

Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo

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are oval and spectacular. yellow. The bluish-green

The tibo-tarsal articulation iris is marbled with dark extends beyond snout. The color and is flamboyantly dorsal and ventral skin contrasting with the dorsal surfaces smooth with only pattern. The limbs are very small rounded warts weakly uniformly striped. found posterior to the eyes The adhesive pad on the and ventrolateral to the first finger is white while anus. The dorsolateral folds the others look grey. The are somewhat striking and venter is uniformly finish between the axilla yellowish-grey. An adult

and groin. A gular and a (Image 7), a juvenile and a

pectoral fold are slightly metamorphosing tadpole Image 8. A metamorphosing Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo tadpole prominent on the ventral (Image 8) each was caught surface. The species is olive from Rurichu (27020.30’N green and grayish in colour & 89054.49’E), Wangdue oblong and flat metacarpal with the dorsum having a Phodrang District at an tubercle present, while the few circular to irregular altitude of 982m, on 16 subarticular tubercles are darker spots. The upper April 2011 at 1700 hr. An noticeably large, globular eyelids are conspicuously inhabitant of woods of and are projecting. The lighter and somewhat tropical to subtropical completely webbed toes yellowish while a bluish- regions in still to rapidly have adhesive pads smaller black stripe extends from flowing waters and than those on fingers. A the snout tip along the torrents, the frogs sit in single inner, flat and oblong canthus rostralis and the crevices of rock faces that metatarsal tubercle is lateral fold. The colour of are moist with spray water present while the upper lip, post-oral glands (Image 9). While it is a new subarticular tubercles and supratympanal fold are record for Bhutan, it has already been reported from Image 9. An individual using wet rocks facing the flow Nepal, India and China between 850-2,350 m.

Dicroglossidae Liebig’s Mountain Frog Nanorana liebigii (Guenther, 1860)

Head flat and broader than long, pointed to the nares but blunt in

between with visible occipital fold. Snout blunt in lateral view. Body sturdy and elongated with prominent dorsolateral folds which are large and warty. Legs long. Dorsal skin smooth with numerous rounded warts on the sides of the body. Venter uniformly smooth. Tympanum indistinct with Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo its membrane

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this species from Susuna highway, Haa road (27.360N & 89.310E) at an altitude of 2350m. But his report was based on the 8 February 1969 collection of the specimen which has been given accession number ZSIC A10964 with the SVL of 169mm (female) by Biswas and Saha. A specimen (Image 10) was collected from Goemkha village (27030.53N & 89049.25’E), Toeb Gewog, Punakha at an altitude of 1900m on 8 August 2011 at 2300 with lengths of 90mm, 167mm and 55mm SVL, HLL and FLL Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo respectively.

Image 10. Nanorana liebigii from Goemkha It’s a Nanorana sp. (Image 11) because of its ossified sternal stylus. It directly below the skin but (Schleich & Kastle 2002). has fusions in the tarsus large and distinct The species is known to and carpus. The tongue is supratympanal fold. feed on earthworms, notched. Relative finger length beetles, insects, etc. The 1<2<4<3, 1st finger hardly breeding period of the Conclusion shorter than 2nd and 4th species vary with altitude. finger almost equal to the Between 1500-2000 m, This study, the first 3rd all with rounded tips. they breed from March to of its kind in Bhutan is Subarticular tubercles end of May (Schleich & significant as much as the globular and distinct with Kastle 2002) and between new species record for the large oval inner metacarpal 2000-2500 m asl, they country that has come as tubercle and small outer breed from January till July an outcome of the effort metacarpal tubercle. Toe and above 2500m asl they put for this research. The fully webbed with relative breed exclusively in June amphibians in the Punakha- length of 1<2<5<3<5, tips (Spath 1990). It is Wangdue Phodrang Valley rounded, subarticular distributed throughout were found in the paddy tubercles oval. Colour midlands and lower fields, roadsides and forest chocolate brown. Ventral mountain ranges of Nepal, of three study areas of white with brown speckles India (Uttar Pradesh, Toebisa, Kabjisa and Kazhi. in the gular and pectoral Sikkim, West Bengal, Conserving the paddy fields region. Nocturnal and shy Himachal Pradesh, Jammu especially for the newts is by habit. It can be found in & Kashmir) and South found to be very important. oak and conifer forest China. Deuti (2010), Polypedates cf. between 1500-3000 m reported the presence of himalayensis, Xenophrys cf. nankiangensis, Duttaphrynus cf. stuartii and Amolops cf. monticola are

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Over the course of last five months, the research described below entailed: catching and counting more than 100 amphibians, many of them late on cold, rainy nights; driving throughout the valley at nights; wading through ponds, bogs and

Wangyal Tshelthrim Jigme by Photo swamps looking for amphibians enduring cool winds, bites of mosquitoes and leeches while looking for newt. To say that we depended upon the generous assistance of others is a whopping understatement. We never failed to be amazed at the Image 11. Nanorana species from Dochula willingness of many friends and acquaintances to help. all new records for Bhutan. further study all new Further, we would like to, The comparison of Shannon records for Bhutan. The in no particular order thank Diversity Index amongst comparison of Shannon the following individuals. the three habitats in the Diversity Index amongst Sonam Phuntsho in Kabjisa valley did not reveal much the three habitats in the and Rimchu areas; Yeshi difference, indicating that valley did not reveal much Phuntsho in Gasa and all the three areas are difference, indicating that Punakha areas; Yeejay, equally diverse. The all the three areas are Nima Gyeltshen and Dorji Evenness value (E<1) for equally diverse. The Namgay in Lamperi, the three habitats also Evenness value (E<1) for Thinleygang and Dochula indicates that the species the three habitats also areas; Namgay Tshering distribution in the study indicates that the species and Kuenzang Tshering in areas is uneven. The distribution in the study Sha areas. They have standout package of the areas is uneven. The helped us collect and take study, which was the standout package of the measurements of the encounter of a new study, which was the specimens and have never Nanorana species at encounter of a new denied befriending us even Dochula at an altitude of Nanorana species at at the middle of the night. 2963m is encouraging Dochula at an altitude of Sonam Dorji (GP), Baep giving reason for further 2963m is encouraging Tshering and few others research. If at all the giving reason for further accompanied us to the field species is proven new, a research. If at all the in Thinleygang when in new species specific epithet species is proven new, a college, our sincere thanks name after provenience new species specific epithet to them. Ap Sonam of Bhutan, bhutanensis, will name after provenience Goemkha village, Toebisa be proposed. But repeated Bhutan, bhutanensis, will helped us catch at least be proposed. But repeated four species, thanks further study

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frog leg | #18 | December 2012 to his spirited search for Corn, P.S. & R.P. Bury ten new records for the the animals. Thanks are (1989). Logging in state Zoos’ Print Journal also due to all people of the western Oregon: responses 22(5): 2688-2690. study areas. The first of headwater habitats and Palden, J. (2003). New stream amphibians. Forest records of Tylototriton author in particular is glad Ecology and Management verrucosus Anderson, 1871 to receive the assistance of 29:39- 57. from Bhutan. Hamadryard England based Rufford’s Daniels, R.J.R. (2005). 27: 286-287. Small Grant for the study of Amphibians of Peninsular Schleich, H.H., & W. Kästle this group of animals. So, a India. University Press (Eds). (2002). heartfelt thanks to the (India), 169pp. Amphibians and Reptiles of RSG. Phurba Lhendup, Das, I. (1987). Natural history Nepal. Biology, WWF Bhutan programme of the Indian Salamander Systematics, Field Guide. A. needs a special mention for Herpetofauna News 9: 3. R. G. Gantner Verlag, Das, I. & J. Palden (2000). Ruggell, Germany, 1211 generously allowing me to A herpetological collection pp. use his camera during the from Bhutan, with new Seglie, D. (2002). study. The National Soil country records. Tylototriton verrucosus, an Service Centre, Simtokha, Herpetological Review Endangered Species of also deserves a mention for 31(4): 256- 258. Delorme, India. DAPTF Report, pp. 1- helping out with soil M. & 43. analysis. The support of our Dubois, A. (2001). Une Smith, M.A. (1931). The family members is worth nouvelle espèce de Scutiger fauna of British India, mentioning for all their du Bhutan, et quelques Ceylon and Burma: remarques sur la Amphibia and Reptilia, understanding and classification subgénérique Vol.I. - Loricata, patience. Had it not been du genre Scutiger Testudines. (1st edn). for their moral support, this (Megophryidae, Taylor and Francis Ltd. paper could never have Leptobrachiinae). Alytes 19 London. Smith, M. A. been written. (2-4): 141-153. (1935). The fauna of British Deuti, K. (2010). Nanorana India, Ceylon and Burma: References liebigii from Bhutan. Amphibia and Reptilia, Herpetological Review 41 Vol.II. - Sauria. (1st Ahmed, M.F., A. Das, & S.K. (1): 104. edition). Taylor and Francis Dutta (2009). Amphibians Dutta, S.K. (1997). Ltd. London. and reptiles of Northeast Amphibians of India and Sri Smith, M.A. (1943). The India: A photographic Lanka (Checklist and fauna of British India, guide. Aaranyak, Society bibliography. Bhubaneswar; Ceylon and Burma, for Biodiversity Odyssey Publishing House; including the whole of the Conservation. 50 (4) + xiii 342 + vvii pp. Indo – Chinese region. Samanwoy Path, Survey, Fei, L., C. Ye, & J. Jiang Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. Beltola, Guwahati 781028, (2010). Coloured Atlas of III. Serpentes. Taylor and Assam, India, 168pp. Chinese Amphibians. Francis, London. Pp. i-xii Anders, C.C., H.H. Schleich, Sichuan Publishing Group. +583 pp +1 map. & K. B. Shah, (1998). Sichuan Publishing House Vasudevan, K. & S. Sondhi Contributions to the Biology of Science and Technology, (2010). Amphibians and of Tylototriton East Nepal China, East Nepal Reptiles of Uttarakhand, (Amphibia: Caudata, (Amphibia: Caudata, India. Wildlife Institute of Salamandridae). Fuhlrott Salamandridae). Fuhlrott India. Chandrabani 18, Museum, Wuppertal. Museum, Wuppertal. Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Contributions to the Contributions to the India. Herpetology of South Asia Herpetology of South Asia Yang, D. & D. Rao (2008). (Nepal, India). 4: 1-26. (Nepal, India). 4: 1-26. Amphibia and Reptilia of Campbell, H.W. & S.P. Frost, D.R. (1985). Yunnan. Yunnan Publishing Christman (1982). Field Amphibian species of the Group Corporation, Yunnan techniques for world. A taxonomic and Science and Technology herpetofaunal community geographic reference. Allen Press, Kunming (in analysis. Pp. 193-200. In: press, Inc., and Chinese). N.J. Scott, Jr. (ed.), Associations of systematic Herpetological collections, Lawrence. (iv) Communities. U.S. + v + 732 pp. Department of the Interior, Ningombam, B. & S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bordoloi (2007). Wildlife Research Report Amphibian fauna of Loktak 13. Lake, Manipur, India with 44