(IN) Nest-making frogs found in Indian Rain Forests

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NEST-MAKING FROGS FOUND IN INDIAN RAIN FORESTS

ANI,2nd Sep 2009

 

LONDON - A scientist in India has claimed to have found three rare species of

frogs that make nests in which to lay their eggs.

 

According to a report by BBC News, the discovery was made in the rainforests of

the Western Ghats mountain range in the southern Indian states of Kerala and

Karnataka.

 

It comes after 20 years of intensive research carried out in Wayanad in Kerala

and Coorg in Karnataka.

 

The frogs were found by Dr SD Biju of Delhi University, who said that the

amphibians make nests after laying eggs to protect them from heat and predators.

 

The tiny frogs, which measure up to 12cm (about five inches) in length, roll

leaves from top to bottom to make a cocoon and produce a sticky substance to

close the ends to secure the eggs.

 

" These are extremely rare frogs, the only ones of their kind found in Asia, " Dr

Biju told the BBC.

 

He said that the frogs differed from leaf-nesting frogs found in America and

Africa as they make their nests after the females have laid the eggs.

 

The American and African species build the nest in the process of laying eggs,

and both male and female frogs build it together.

 

Dr Biju said that the species are seriously threatened by coffee and other

plantations due to which they are losing their habitat in the forest.

 

" Eight years ago when I visited the area, it was easy to spot them breeding

during the night. But, there has been a dramatic change and it's now extremely

rare to spot them, " he said. (ANI)