Source: Earth Titan
ABOUT
Purple frogs (or pig-nosed frogs) spend most of their time underground, emerging only for a few days each year at the onset of the monsoon to breed.
The purple frog is one of only two species in the family Nasikabatrachidae. The family is endemic to the Western Ghats of India and has evolved independently for about 100 million years. Molecular evidence suggests that the purple frog is the closest relative to a family of small frogs found only in the Seychelles River. It is thought that the two clans shared a common ancestor, then became isolated on different lands following the disintegration of the supercontinent Gondwana.
As it is a fossil (burrowing) species, the purple frog has long been ignored by science, having only been officially described in 2003, despite several local names. Tadpoles are adapted to living in fast-moving water and have special suction cups like those that they use to cling to the algae-covered rocks where they feed. Locals consume tadpoles, which are also used along with adult frogs for medicinal purposes. In some communities, an amulet is made from frogs and is worn by children as it is believed that this will help them reduce their fear of storms.
The purple frog is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, and is threatened by deforestation due to extensive farming, in addition to consumption and harvesting by local communities. Little is known about this species, but it has very specific breeding sites. Its specialized reproductive biology makes it vulnerable to habitat loss and change. The majority of purple frogs found are outside the reserve network, and some spawning sites have been damaged by the construction of test dams intended to control water flow during major monsoons.
- Order: Anura
- Family: Nasikabatrachidae
- Population: Unknown
- Trend: decreasing
- Size: 6-9cm
- Weight: 165g
DISTRIBUTION
The purple frog is restricted to the Western Ghats of India, it has been reported from several locations in Kerala and a single site in Tamil Nadu. It has been recorded in reserves including Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Silent Valley National Park.
Habits and Ecology
This species requires loose, aerated, moist soil in areas with good canopy and occurs at low altitudes below 1,000 m above sea level.
Purple frogs appear at the onset of the monsoon to breed, laying eggs in small shaded rock pools in the rocky bedrock of torrential streams. Tadpoles take about 100 days to metamorphose. Adult purple frogs feed on small invertebrates, mainly termites.
The purple frog’s burrowing (burrowing) lifestyle makes research extremely difficult, with no current estimates of population size.
