New study hints at a wider distribution of Agasthyamalai Bushfrog in Western Ghats
A new study published in 'Reptiles & Amphibians' confirms the presence of the Agasthyamalai Bushfrog in the Munnar landscape, 120 km north of its previously known range. This discovery suggests that the Shencottah Gap may not be an absolute geographical barrier for all amphibian species.
Why it matters
This finding challenges established biogeographical theories regarding species distribution and evolution in the Western Ghats.
A recent study published in the journal Reptiles & Amphibians has revealed that the Agasthyamalai Bushfrog (Raorchestes agasthyaensis) has a wider distribution in the Western Ghats than previously known. The finding challenges long-held assumptions about the species’ geographic range.
A research team has discovered the Agasthyamalai Bushfrog in the high-elevation shola forests of Devikulam, near Munnar, extending the species’ known distribution by more than 120 km northwards.
Until now, the species was thought to be confined to the Agasthyamalai Hills south of the Shencottah Gap. This is the first confirmed record of the species from the Munnar landscape.
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