Morphology of Indirana semipalmata (Boulenger, 1882) (Amphibia; Anura) adults and tadpoles from the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

The species of the endemic genus Indirana (Amphibia; Anura) from Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot are little studied, and morphology, life history and behaviour of most of the species - the tadpoles in particular - remain to be described. Here, we describe the morphology of adult and tadpole stages of South-Indian Brown Leaping frog (I. semipalmata), a species for which earlier descriptions are either sketchy (adults) or lacking (tadpoles). Apart from providing detailed and extended description of diagnostic features of different life-stages, information is also provided about tadpole behaviour and habits. To ensure solid basis for descriptions, the identity of described adult specimens were verified by comparison to type specimens and the identity of tadpoles with aid of DNA barcoding methods. Hence, the current study also highlights the utility of DNA barcoding in identification of tadpoles at various stages of development. In general, the provided descriptions should aid further studies of frogs in genus Indirana, as well as provide practical help for field identification.