Ichthyofauna of Dharmapuri Forest Division, Tamil Nadu: Status, threats
and management

Abstract :

Conserving animals outside the protected areas is known as ex situ conservation. Biology of the Western Ghats amphibians is less explored subject, particularly with regard to reproductive behaviour. In the present study development and hatching success of an endemic frog to Pykara, The Nilgiris, Western Ghats were achieved. Egg mass of frog found near human habitation mass was brought to laboratory and kept in a plastic container to study the possibilities of keeping this kind of eggs in captive conditions. The egg mass had 24 eggs which were maintained at room temperature. The eggs underwent direct development, and hatching of froglets came out after 28 days. After few days the froglets were released into natural environment. Species of the hatchlings was not identified because of its smaller size. However, the features assure that it could belong to the Raorchestes species, which is endemic to Western Ghats.