>ShortDescBot at 02:07, 26 February 2021

2021-02-26T02:07:22Z

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{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Italic title}}{{Speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="IUCN"/>
| name = ''Indirana semipalmata''
| image = Shola_talakaverifrog.jpg
| image_caption = Adult from [[Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary|Talakaveri]] [[shola]] grassland
| genus = Indirana
| species = semipalmata
| authority = ([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1882)
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=frost>{{cite web |url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Ranixalidae/Indirana/Indirana-semipalmata |title=''Indirana semipalmata'' (Boulenger, 1882) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2014 |work=Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |access-date=1 June 2014}}</ref>
| synonyms =
* ''Rana semipalmata'' <small>Boulenger, 1882</small>
* ''Ranixalus semipalmatus'' <small>(Boulenger, 1882)</small>
}}
'''''Indirana semipalmata''''' is a species of [[frog]] [[endemism|endemic]] to the [[Western Ghats]] region of southern [[India]]. They are small frogs, reaching lengths of about {{convert|36|mm|in|abbr=on}} from snout to vent. The species breeds during the [[monsoon]]s, laying their eggs on moist rocks and tree bark. Their [[tadpole]]s are [[Terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] - hatching, feeding, and undergoing [[Frog Metamorphosis|metamorphosis]] without ever entering any standing bodies of water.

==Description==
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| align = left
| width = 110
| image1 =Indirana semipalmata lower surface of foot.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 =Lower surface of foot
| image2 =Indirana semipalmata.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 =Illustration of ''I. semipalmata''
}}
''Indirana semipalmata'' is a small frog, with a snout-vent length (SVL) of {{convert|36|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The snout is blunt with moderate [[Canthus (herpetology)|canthal ridges]]. The space between the eyes is about the same width as each of the upper eyelids. The [[Tympanum (anatomy)|tympanum]] and the eyes are of the same diameter. It possesses [[vomerine teeth]] with two slightly oblique oval groups just behind the level of the rear edge of the [[choana]]e. The males of the species lack vocal sacs.<ref name="Boulenger"/>

The first fingers of the forelimbs extend slightly beyond the second. At the ventral surface of each joint are well-developed tubercles and there is a single oval tubercle along the inner [[metatarsal]]s. If the hind limbs are stretched forward the length of the body, the [[Tibiotarsal joint|tibiotarsal]] ("ankle") articulation reaches the snout.<ref name="Boulenger"/>

The skin of ''Indirana semipalmata'' has short longitudinal glandular folds on the back; while on the bottom surface, it is smooth . It is predominantly brown in coloration with the throat and chest mottled and lighter in color. The temples and the sides of the eyes (the [[Temporal bone|temporal]] and [[Lore (anatomy)|loreal]] regions) are black. A dark band is also present between the eyes at the top of the head. The limbs possess dark stripes across.<ref name="Boulenger"/>

==Taxonomy==
''Indirana semipalmata'' was first described by the Belgian-British zoologist [[George Albert Boulenger]] in 1882 as ''Rana semipalmata''. The exact location the [[type specimen]] was collected from is unknown, but it was recorded as "[[Malabar Coast|Malabar]]", South India.<ref name=frost/> The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]] ([[Latin]] for "half palmed") is in reference to its half-webbed toes, in contrast to ''[[Indirana beddomii]]'' which had two-thirds of their toes webbed and ''[[Indirana leptodactyla]]'' which only had a third of their toes webbed.<ref name="Boulenger">{{cite book|author=George Albert Boulenger|title =Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the Collection of the British Museum, 2nd Edition|year =1882|page=56–57|url =https://archive.org/details/catalogueofbatra00brituoft|publisher =London Printed by order of the Trustees}}</ref> In 1918, Boulenger included it under the (then) [[subgenus]] ''[[Discodeles]]'' of the [[genus]] ''[[Rana (genus)|Rana]]''. In 1986, the Belgian zoologist [[Raymond Ferdinand Laurent]] separated it, along with other closely related species from [[India]], to the genus ''[[Indirana]]''.<ref name="duellman">{{cite book|author =William E. Duellman|title =Amphibian Species of the World: Additions and Corrections|publisher =The University of Kansas Museum of Natural History|series =Special Publication No. 21|year =1993|page =[https://archive.org/details/amphibianspecies00duel/page/218 218]|isbn =978-0-89338-045-8|url =https://archive.org/details/amphibianspecies00duel/page/218}}</ref>

''I. semipalmata'' does not have a widely used [[common name]],<ref name="bdm">{{cite web|url=http://biodiversity.mongabay.com/animals/i/Indirana_semipalmata.html|title=''Indirana semipalmata''|publisher=Biodiversity Mongabay|access-date=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194940/http://biodiversity.mongabay.com/animals/i/Indirana_semipalmata.html|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> but it has sometimes been referred to as the "brown leaping frog", "small-handed frog", and "South Indian frog".<ref name=frost/><ref name="WE">{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/frog-bark.html#cr|title=First record of tadpoles hatching and feeding on tree bark|author=Ben Tapley|year=2008|publisher=Wildlife Extra |access-date=5 March 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Indirana semipalmeta bisile.JPG|thumb|''Indirana semipalmeta'' at Bisile, [[India]] ]]

==Distribution==
''Indirana semipalmata'' is [[endemism|endemic]] to an area less than {{convert|20,000|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in the southern [[Western Ghats]] of [[India]]. It inhabits [[altitudes]] between {{convert|200|to|1100|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[above sea level]].<ref name="IUCN"/> They have been recorded in at least ten localities - [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]], [[Pulloorampara]], [[Kodaikanal]], [[Idukki district|Idukki]], [[Parambikulam]], [[Kalakkad]], [[Siruvani Waterfalls|Siruvani]], [[Shringeri]], [[Agumbe]], and [[Kudremukh]].<ref name="molur">{{cite book|editor1=Sanjay Molur |editor2=Sally Walker |title =Report of the Workshop "Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for amphibians of India" (BCPP - Endangered Species Project)|publisher =Zoo Outreach Organisation, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group|year =1998|page=61|url =http://www.zooreach.org/downloads/ZOO_CAMP_PHVA_reports/1997%20BCPP%20C.A.M.P.%20Report%20-%20Amphibians%20of%20India.pdf}}</ref>

==Ecology and biology==
[[File:Indirana semipalmata tadpole.jpg|thumb|Indirana semipalmata tadpole,on a plastic sheet used to cover a shed from, Hosamata, Puttur, Karnataka, India]]
[[File:Tadpole iruppu.jpg|thumb| Tadpole from [[Coorg]], [[India]] on tree bark]]
The ecology and biology of ''Indirana semipalmata'' has not been extensively studied. It is a [[Terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] species generally found on vegetation beside the banks of streams and rivers ([[riparian zone|riparian habitats]]). It can also be found in [[swamp]]s and in the leaf litter in the floors of [[evergreen forest|evergreen]], semi-evergreen, and [[tropical rainforest]]s.<ref name="IUCN"/>

''I. semipalmata'' breeds and lays clutches of eggs on wet rocks and the bark of fallen trees during the [[monsoon]] season.<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name="WE"/> In a study in 2010 in the [[Agumbe Rainforest Research Station]] (ARRS), [[Karnataka]], India, the eggs had an average diameter of {{convert|2.7|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Each clutch had an average of 343 eggs. Adult males were also observed near the egg clutches, presumably guarding them.<ref name="TAPLEY">{{cite journal|author1=Benjamin Tapley |author2=Chetana Babburjung Purushotham |author3=Suzan Girgin |year=2008|title=''Indirana semipalmata'' (Brown Leaping Frog): Reproduction|journal=Herpetological Review|volume=42|issue=1|pages=87–88}}</ref> Like most of the other members of the subfamily Ranixalinae, the [[tadpole]]s are non-aquatic.<ref name="caldwell">{{cite book|author1=George R. Zug |author2=Laurie J. Vitt |author3=Janalee P. Caldwell |title =Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles|publisher =Academic Press|year =2001|page=430|isbn =978-0-12-782622-6|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=arMcaKnkDiIC&pg=PA430}}</ref> Upon hatching, the tadpoles remain on the moist surfaces, undergoing [[Frog Metamorphosis|metamorphosis]] without ever entering any standing bodies of water. In the 2010 study, all of the egg clutches and the tadpoles were found at least {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} from the nearest pool of water. The eggs and tadpoles are instead kept moist by dripping water from leaves and rainfall.<ref name="TAPLEY"/>

The tadpoles have finless tails and strongly hooked beaks which enable them to skip along hard surfaces rather than swim. Partially metamorphosed tadpoles can leap with their hind limbs.<ref name="TAPLEY"/> Observations on the feeding behavior on the tadpoles also reveal that they feed on bark substrate, the first known instance of any tadpole doing so.<ref name="WE"/><ref name="TAPLEY"/> It is presumed that they feed on the [[plankton]] growing on the bark.<ref name="ff">{{cite web|url=http://www.forestfrogs.co.uk/#/frog-reproductive-ecology/4555753575|title=Frog reproductive ecology|publisher=Forest Frogs|access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref>

The skin of the species has been found to produce a [[virucidal]] [[host-defense]] [[peptide]] against [[influenza A]], which has been given the name [[urumin]].<ref name="pmid28423338">{{cite journal | vauthors = Holthausen DJ, Lee SH, Kumar VT, Bouvier NM, Krammer F, Ellebedy AH, Wrammert J, Lowen AC, George S, Pillai MR, Jacob J | title = An Amphibian Host Defense Peptide Is Virucidal for Human H1 Hemagglutinin-Bearing Influenza Viruses | journal = Immunity | volume = 46 | issue = 4 | pages = 587–595 | year = 2017 | pmid = 28423338 | doi = 10.1016/j.immuni.2017.03.018 | doi-access = free }}</ref> This compound may have therapeutic potential against influenza A [[infection]] in humans.<ref name="pmid28423338" />

==Conservation==
''Indirana semipalmata'' is classified as [[Least Concern]] by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources]] (IUCN). Conversion of their habitats to agricultural use and logging, mining, and tourism activities are considered to be their main threats, but they remain relatively common in their native habitats. ''I. semipalmata'' is a protected species under the laws of India.<ref name="IUCN">Sathyabhama Das Biju, Sushil Dutta, & Robert Inger (2004). ''[http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58315/0 Indirana semipalmata]''. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Indirana semipalmata}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2710125}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indirana Semipalmata}}
[[Category:Indirana|semipalmata]]
[[Category:Frogs of India]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger]]
[[Category:Amphibians described in 1882]]

Indirana semipalmata - Revision history

>ShortDescBot at 02:07, 26 February 2021