News: Myristica swamp tree frog has been recorded for the first time north of the Shencottah gap in the Vazhachal Reserve Forest in Kerala’s Thrissur district.
About the Species: bears the scientific name Mercurana myristicapalustris
Habitat: It is a rare arboreal species endemic to the Western Ghats.
Characteristics:
- Features: These are arboreal species who spend the majority of their lives in trees. ex. squirrels, monkeys etc.
- Breeding Behavior:
- These frogs are rare and elusive for the reason that they are arboreal and active only for a few weeks during their breeding season.
- The males vocalise in groups from the low perches in the swamps. They exhibit unique breeding behaviour.
- The breeding season, unlike for other frogs, starts in the pre-monsoons season (May) and ends before the monsoon becomes fully active in June.
