I J R B A T, Vol. V, Issue (2), May-2017: 1-5 ISSN (Online) 2347 – 517X INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES IN BIOSCIENCES, AGRICULTURE & TECHNOLOGY © VISHWASHANTI MULTIPURPOSE SOCIETY (Global Peace Multipurpose Society) R. No. MH-659/13(N) www.vmsindia.org INVENTORIZATION OF AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY FROM BAVALI AND TALEGAON REGION OF RADHANAGARI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (M.S.) INDIA More S. B. P.V.P. Mahavidyalaya Kavathe Mahankal, Sangli (M.S) India Email: [email protected] Abstract: The Sanctuary area is home to several species, rich endemic flora and harbors different species of fauna. Amphibians are one of the most ubiquitous groups of predators in the animal kingdom commonly found in all terrestrial and many aquatic ecosystems. Baveli and Talegaon region is the part of Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. So far no body has worked out or studied the amphibian Diversity from Baveli, Talegaon region of Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary and hence we have decide to explore the amphibian diversity from this area. Most of the area is dense semi-evergreen forest with a wide range of flora. The area prevails humid and moderate climate and heavy rainfall This high diversity of habitats responsible for amphibian diversity. For the present study the survey of amphibians was carried out during rainy season (late May to late October). The presence of various species of frogs were noted on the bases of actual sighting, presence of egg clusters (for same species), on their calls. The specimens were obtained along the streams and through patches of forest during day light and early night hours. The most distinct feature of this area is the presence of numerous barons rocky and laetrile plateau called as sadas. Sodas provide good breeding ground for Bufo koynnayensis toads. Sadas are with less perennial vegetation and over hanging clips on the edges and numerous fallen boundaries with dense thorny vegetation .Amphibians from family bufonidae, ranidae, microhylidae ,rhacophoridae and caecillidae were reported. Keywords: Amphibians, Western Ghats, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary Introduction: summer the mean temperature ranges from The Western Ghats area of India is 300C to 350C, Maximum being 410C. The considered as an important biodiversity hot minimum temperature during winter is 90C spot. Western Ghats are among the to 160C. The mean annual rainfall is about ecologically richest regions of India. The 2500 mm and maximum being 5000 mm. Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary covers an The rivers namely Bhogawati and area of 351.16 Sq. Kms. The areas included Dudhganga are the main water source. The in this sanctuary are reserved forests, loss of diversity is also very severe in protected forests, other government land, agricultural ecosystems. Thousands of wild gairan and malakipad areas. This Wildlife crop varieties were replaced with a few Sanctuary is one of the important Protected hybrid species, during green revolution. Areas of the Maharashtra State, located in This resulted in the disappearance of our the Western Ghats. The total length of genetic resources of crop plants especially external boundary is 409.98 Kms. A major for wheat and rice, with the disappearance portion of the external boundary adjoins to of the plants; the associated micro- the private lands forming the critical are organisms and fauna were also lost. from the protection point of view. The Besides this, indiscriminate use of fertilizers internal boundaries are mostly natural and other chemicals reduced the microbial features, live rivers, Nala, Ridge etc. The species diversity. Live stock populations Sanctuary is in the Western Ghats of have already been homogenized and their Sahyadri mountain ranges. The main diversity is extinct. geological formation of the area is the Man has always been fascinated by the Deccan trap. The most of the area of this diversity of life. These amphibian species Sanctuary is a undulating belt, which is must be monitored in future for a better characteristic feature of Western Ghats. The understanding to human influences on local plateau region is mostly covered with the extinction [4]. The present study of grasses. The climate is moderate. During amphibian biodiversity will be and great 1 I J R B A T, Vol. V, Issue (2), May-2017: 1-5 ISSN (Online) 2347 – 517X significance from the point of view of future for a better understanding to human diversity of Maharashtra. At Radhanagari influences on local extinction. Wildlife Sanctuary rainfall is spread over A. ORDER: ANURA five months from June to October with a) Family:Bufonidae peaks during July. The present work is to be Genus: Bufo carried out in the Baveli and Talegaon area. 1) Dattapharynus melanostictus It is based on, personal field observation, 2) Bufo koynayensis study of specimens in the field and b) Family: Microhylidae previously published records (1, 8, 10, 21, Genus: Microhyla 22, 23, and 25). 1. Microhyla ornate Materials and methods: Genus: Uperodon A survey of amphibians was conducted Spherotheca sp. (Burrowing frogs) since June 2009 to 2012 in the entire part c) Family: Ranidae of Baveli and Talegaon area of Genus: Euphlyctis Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in 1. Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Kolhapur district. A site wise distribution Genus: Hoplobatrachus table was prepared and various places 1. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus visited during rainy season. (Late May to Genus: Limnonectes late October). Various species of frogs were 1. Fejervarys sp. studied on the basis of actual sighting, Genus: Rana presence of egg clutches (for some species) or 1. Clinotarsus curtipes- bicolored frog their calls. Specimens were obtained along 2. Sylvirana temporalis streams and through patches of forest during 3. Rana ornatica daylight and early night hours. Rocks were Genus: Indirana turned, dead leaves scraped, Shrubs and trees 1. Indirana c. f. beddomii were examined. Identification is carried out in Genus: Nyctibatrachus the field with the help available identification 1. Nyctibatrachus sp. - wrinkled frog keys. Record was prepared as per standard d) Family: Rachophoridae checklist and photography. Genus: polypedates Results: 1. polypedates maculate (common tree The part of Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary frog) lies in Kolhapur district contains lakes Genus: Philautus perennial streams, rain forests grass lands, 1. Philautus sp. hill slopes and paddy fields. The high e) Family: Caeciliidae – Gegeneophis diversity of habitats is responsible for the sp. amphibian diversity in this part of the Species account district. At Baveli and Talegaon region of i) Hoplobatrachus tigerinus – Indian bull frog Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary rainfall is Inhibiting all types of water bodies, spread over five months from June to especially near the water sources inhabited October with peaks during July. This part of by crabs’ hibernation frogs were district shows higher amphibian diversity. encountered from drying ponds rivers at a The high diversity of habitats is responsible considerable depth, in the loose moist soil. for the amphibian diversity in this part of ii) Sylvirana Temporalis – Bronze frog the district [13]. The bronze frog can be seen sitting on rocks Amphibians comprise a large and or logs near streams and also inhabitats like diverse class of animals. In India margins of ponds, tanks, among decaying amphibians are mainly known by Anura, moist vegetation. This speedy creature which includes frogs and toads. The present moves fast on land and in water females are study constitutes the observation and study smaller than males. A pale line along the of following amphibian species in various sides and a fold of the skin that runs from parts of Baveli, and Talegaon region of behind the eye to its waist are easy marker Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. These that can help even amateur naturalists to amphibian species must be monitored in positively identify the species in the wild. 2 I J R B A T, Vol. V, Issue (2), May-2017: 1-5 ISSN (Online) 2347 – 517X iii) Rana ornatica floating in open water. The adult attain a It is a median sized land frog. This maximum length of 6.9 cm. the females are handsome land frog is recognized by its larger than the males. The eyes are placed flashy, bright orange back and contrasting more towards the top. The toes are fully black and white sides and under parts. The webbed. The vocal sacs are external bluish adult of this species reach about 8.1 cm in and are visible on either side of the throat length. The ear drum is large. The tips of as the male call. fingers and toes are enlarged into small viii) Nyctibatrachus Sp.- wrinkled frog discs and the toes are fully webbed. The wrinkled frog is a medium sized water iv) Clinotarsus curtipes – Bi- coloured frog frog with enlarged discs on the fingers and This is widely distributed species, inhabiting toes. The adults of this species reach 3.6– cool and wet regions of the moist evergreen 5.4 cm in length. Ear drum is indistinct. forests. It is median sized, slow moving frog. There are numerous skin folds on the back. The non breeding male has grey back with The toes are 2/3 - 3/4 webbed black markings along its sides, while a ix) Bufo koynayensis- Koyna toad breeding male will change to golden yellow Smaller than the common Indian toad. The back. The adult reach a length of 7.4 cm. toad ranges in colour from yellow to raddish the females are larger than the males. black. Sodas provide good breeding ground v) Dattapharynus melanoastictus- common for Bufo koynnayensis toads Indian toad x) Caecilian- Legless amphibian Family: Distributed near human inhabitations and Caecillidae: Gegenophis sp secondary forests. Generally found near This is an unique group of amphibians decaying logs and litter with insect colonies. and highly specialized for burrowing This impressive creature is found nearly amphibian reported at Baveli and Talegaon every part of India, in both cities and area of Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary.