Rana semipalamta

Indirana semipalmata is a species of frog endemic to the Western Ghats region of southern India. They are small frogs, reaching lengths of about 36 mm (1.4 in) from snout to vent. The species breeds during the monsoons, laying eggs on moist rocks and tree bark. Their tadpoles are terrestrial, hatching, feeding, and undergoing metamorphosis without ever entering any standing bodies of water.

DESCRIPTION

• Indirana semipalmata is a small frog, with a snout-vent length (SVL) of 36 mm (1.4 inches).

• The snout is blunt with moderate canthal ridges.

• The space between the eyes is about the same width as each of the upper eyelids. The 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 choanae.

• The males of the species lack vocal sacs.

• The first fingers of the forelimbs extend slightly beyond the second.

• Well-developed tubercles are present on the ventral surface of each joint, and there is a single oval tubercle along the inner metatarsals.

• If the hind limbs are stretched forward to the length of the body, the tibiotarsal ("ankle") articulation reaches the snout.

• 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 color, with the throat and chest mottled and lighter in color.

• The temples and the sides of the eyes (the temporal and loreal regions) are black, and a dark band is also present between the eyes at the top of the head.

• The limbs have dark stripes across them.

REPRODUCTION

• Male Indirana semipalmata arrive at breeding sites before females and begin calling to attract mates. When a female arrives, the male will mount her back and grasp her tightly with his forelimbs. This position is called amplexus. The male will then release sperm into the water, which will fertilize the female's eggs as she lays them.

• Female Indirana semipalmata lay their eggs in small clutches, typically numbering 30-50 eggs. The eggs are laid on wet rocks and the bark of fallen trees, just above the waterline. The eggs are small and round, about 2.7 mm in diameter. The eggs hatch into tadpoles within 3-4 days.

• Indirana semipalmata tadpoles are unique in that they are terrestrial. This means that they develop and metamorphose into frogs without ever entering any standing bodies of water. Tadpoles feed on algae and other aquatic plants that grow on the moist rocks and tree bark where they are laid. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis within 3–4 weeks.

• Once tadpoles have metamorphosed into froglets, they leave the breeding site and disperse into the surrounding forest. Froglets are similar to adult frogs in appearance, but they are smaller and have less developed reproductive organs. Froglets reach sexual maturity at about 1–2 years of age.

HABITAT

• It is a terrestrial species generally found on vegetation beside the banks of streams and rivers (riparian habitats).

•  It can also be found in swamps and in the leaf litter in the floors of evergreen, semi-evergreen, and tropical rainforests.