04 Jan

Amphibians: Critically Endangered

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Content

• Doria’s Foam Nesting Tree Frog (Chirixalus doriae)
• Other CR Amphibians
• Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus Sahyadrensis)
• Invertebrates: Porifera
• Insects: Butterflies
• Arthropods: Insects: Moths
• Arthropods: Insects: Dragonfly
• Arthropods: Crustaceans (Crabs, Lobsters, Barnacles)
• Arthropods: Arachnids: Spiders (CR)
• Mollusca: Mussels
• Echinoderms
• Sea Cucumbers

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1) DORIA’S FOAM NESTING TREE FROG (CHIRIXALUS DORIAE)

• This tree frog resurfaced in India after 108 years (May 2021).
• Recently, it was discovered in the buffer area of Mizoram’s Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary in June 2020.
• The only previous record of this tree frog in India was South of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tenga Valley in 1912.
• It has known traits like changing skin shade and whipping up foam to protect its eggs.

2) OTHER CR AMPHIBIANS                                                                

1. Anaimalai Flying Frogs
2. Gundiyan Indian Frog
3. The Kerala Indian Frog (Indirana phrynoderma)
4. The Charles Darwin Frog (Ingerana charlesdarwini)
5. The Kottigehar Bubble-nest Frog (Micrixalus kottigeharensis)
6. Amboli Bush Frog
7. Chalazodes Bubble-nest frogs (Raorchestes Chalazodes) / White spotted Bush Frog
8. Green Eyed Bush Frog (Raorchestes chlorosomma)
9. The Griet Bush Frog
10. The Kaikatta’s Bush Frog
11. The Mark’s Bush Frog
12. The Munnar Bush Frog
13. The Sacred Grove fush frogs
14. Etc.

 2. OTHER AMPHIBIANS IN NEWS

3) PURPLE FROG (NASIKABATRACHUS SAHYADRENSIS)

• A proposal to declare a species of purple rog found in Idukki district of Kerala as state’s official amphibian has been kept in abeyance by the Kerala Wildlife Advisory Board (Feb 2023)
• It was discovered in Kerala’s Idukki district in 2003 for the first time.
• This frog is found only in Western Ghats and spends most of its time underground. After the tadpole stage, they go underground and return to the earth’s surface only to breed once in a year. It feeds mostly on soil mites, ants and termites. It is also known as pig- nosed frog and Maveli Frog.
• It is believed to be closely related to family of frogs found in Seychelles and thus gives hint that continent of Africa and Asia were once part of the same landmass.
• If it is chosen, Kerala will be the first state to have a state frog.
• IUCN Status: NT

3. INVERTEBRATES: PORIFERA

• Phylum Porifera is the lowest multicellular animal of the Animal Kingdom. This Phylum includes more than 5,000 species. They are pore-bearing first multi-cellular animals. The have spongy appearance and therefore are also called sponges. They are attached to the substratum and don’t move.
• They were earlier regarded as plants due to green color and their symbiotic relation with algae. But, after detailed study of their lifecycle, they were included in the category of animals.
• Key features:
  • Loosely organized cells
  • Mostly marine (few freshwater)
  • Either radially symmetrical or asymmetrical
  • No specialized organs
  • Reproduce asexually by budding.
• Impact of Climate Change and Pollution:

Marine sponges were earlier thought to be more resilient to ocean warming than other organisms. But, in 2022, New Zealand recorded the largest ever sponge bleaching event off its southern coast. While only one species, the cup sponge Cymbastella lamellata, was affected, a prolonged marine heatwave turned millions of normally dark brown sponges bright yellow. Subsequently other sponge species across the northern coastline of New Zealand also faced decay and death

• Why should we care about sponges?
  • They are among the most ancient and abundant animals on rocky reefs across the world. They serve a number of ecological functions:
    • They filter large quantities of water.
    • Important role in Food chain: They capture small particles and moving carbon from the water column to the seafloor where it can be eaten by bottom dwelling invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are consumed by organisms further up the chain, including commercially and culturally important fish.
    • They also add three-dimensional complexity to the sea floor, which provides habitat for a range of other species such as crabs, shrimps, and starfish.
• Sponge Bleaching:
  • Sponges are in symbiotic relations with algae (diatoms). These diatoms live within the sponge tissues, exchanging food for protection.
  • When sponge bleach, it expels diatoms, leaving the sponge skeleton exposed.
  • Tissue loss occurs when sponges are stressed and either have to invest more energy into cell repair or when their food source is depleted, and they reabsorb their own tissues.
  • Tissue decay or necrosis on the other hand is generally associated with changes in the microbial communities living within sponges and growth of pathogenic bacteria.

4. INVERTEBRATES: ARTHROPODS

1) INSECTS: BUTTERFLIES

A) 3 CONTENDERS FOR NATIONAL BUTTERFLY STATUS

• A citizen poll to identify the national butterfly concluded with three species garnering the highest number of votes.
  • The nationwide poll organized by the National Butterfly Campaign Consortium, a collective of 50 butterfly experts and enthusiasts, yielded 59,754 votes.

Krishna Peacock (Papilio Krishna)	Indian Jazebel (Delias eucharias)	Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus)
Krishna Peacock, a flagship species for biodiversity and conservation , is generally found in large numbers in the Himalayas. Possessing a peculiarly large swallowtail, its iridescent green scales diffract light to coat itself in radiance	Blessed with a vibrant colour pattern, including vermilion (haldi – kumkum) , the Indian Jezebel (or Common Jezebel) is known to deter its predators with its flashy wing colours. Regarded as soldiers of farmers, they also prey on parasites that infest fruit-bearing plants. Widely distributed, the species can be spotted in gardens and other lightly wooded areas	Orange Oakleaf is commonly known as ‘dead leaf’ for its ability to camouflage as a dry autumn leaf while striking a stationary pose with its wings closed. The masquerade enables the species to prevent it from being devoured by birds in the moist forests of northern Western Ghats, central, northern and north-eastern parts of India where they are generally found. Besides, the Oakleaf is also known to exhibit polyphenism as it assumes specific colour and size during dry and wet seasons

• Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) will choose one among them.
  • One among them will join the ranks of the Bengal Tiger, Indian Peacock, Indian Lotus, banyan tree, and mango as yet another national symbol.

B) GOLDEN BIRDWING: INDIA’S LARGEST BUTTERFLY

• A Himalayan Butterfly named Golden Birdwing has regained the status of India’s largest butterfly, after dethroning an unknown specimen which had held this record for 88 years.
• Unknown Specimen of The Southern Birdwing held the record.
• Brigadier William Harry Evans, a British military officer and lepidopterist, had in 1932 recorded a wingspan of 190 mm of Southern Birdwing.
• But recently, a female Golden Birdwing was found to have marginally higher wingspan of 194 mm.

C) CRIMSON ROSE (PACHLIOPTA HECTOR)

Crimson Rose is a large butterfly with a mix of black, white and crimson colors on its wings and body. It is known for crossing the sea to migrate to Sri Lanka.

IUCN: LC

Distribution: It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and possibly the coast of Myanmar.

In India, it is distributed in Western Ghats (MHA, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Eastern India (WB, Odisha, Andhra), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• • • In Andamans, it is a straggler.

Migration: This is the most striking aspect of the butterfly’s behaviour. During the peak of its season, several thousand crimson roses can be found congregating and then migrating to other areas.

D) BLUE DUKE (BASSARONA DURGA)

Distribution: It is found in Sikkim, Abor Hills and Nagaland.

State Butterfly of Sikkim: In 2022, it was declared the state butterfly of Sikkim. It represents Sikkim with its two unique colors – Blue represents sky while the white represents mountains of Himalayas.

E) KAISER-E-HIND (TEINOPALPUS IMPERIALIS)

Physical features: The rare butterfly is a visual delight. It has shimmering green, bright yellows, and delicate blacks. It has a 90-120 mm wingspan.

Distribution: The butterfly is found along the Eastern Himalayas (WB, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh) in India.

• • The butterfly also flutters in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Southern China.
  • The butterfly usually flies at tree top level and descends to sit on low vegetation when there is strong morning sunlight.

State Butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh: In 2021, Arunachal Pradesh government announced it as the state butterfly of Arunachal.

F) TAMIL YEOMEN: STATE BUTTERFLY OF TN

It is locally known as Tamil Marvan meaning “Tamil Warrior”. It is a canopy butterfly and is sized between 60-75 mm. It belongs the family of brush-footed butterflies or the Nymphaid.

In 2019, TN has declared Tamil Yeomen (Cirrochroa thais) as its state butterfly to symbolize its rich natural and cultural heritage, in a move aimed at boosting the conservation efforts of the attractive insect.

Other State biodiversity of TN

• • Palmyra: State Tree
  • Glorisa Lily: State Flower
  • Emarald Dove: State Bird
  • Jackfruit: State Fruit
  • Nilgiri Tahr: State Animal

G) OTHER BUTTERFLIES IN NEWS

MONARCH BUTTERFLY

• Why in news?
  • IUCN has added the Monarch butterfly in the list of EN species.

Monarchs are large, beautifully colored butterflies that are easy to recognize by their striking orange, black, and white marking.

Distribution: They live in North, Central and South America as well as Australia, some pacific islands and India.

Special Characteristics:

• Poisonous: A monarch’s brilliant coloring tells predators: “Don’t eat me. I am poisonous.” The butterflies get their toxins from a plant called milkweed.
• Migratory: North American Monarch butterflies undertake enormous migration each year. In winters they migrate from Canada and Northern USA towards California and Mexico (around 2,500 miles).
• Return to same forests and sometimes same trees as that of their ancestors: Scientists don’t know how migrating monarchs know way to go, since they only live a few months, and none makes the journey more than once.

IUCN Status: EN

Threats: Deforestation habitat degradation.

Useful Video: Endangered Migration: A Monarch Butterfly Story

Useful Video-2: Monarch Migration and Metamorphosis: Monarch Migration and Metamorphosis | Incredible Animal Journeys | National Geographic

BLACK VEINED BUTTERFLY

• Why in news?
  • Re-emergence of ‘extinct’ black veined butterfly in England likely due to unscientific release (June 2023: Source – DTE)

About the Black Veined White (Aporia crataegi):

It is a large butterfly that became extinct from British Isles in 1925. It was always considered a rarity in the British Isles but on the continent, it is often very common.

In June 2022, the butterfly was spotted in London. These sightings are the result of unofficial release and is unlikely that the butterfly will survive in the wild to breed. It is not known who did this or why.

2) ARTHROPODS: INSECTS: MOTHS

• Why in news?
  • Study identifies 37 rare moth species in Kerala, three first times in India: ZSI (Nov 2023)

About Moths:

Moths are group of insects that include all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not butterflies.

• Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Arthropoda; Class: Insecta; Order: Lepidoptera

Note: Lepidoptera is an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths.

• While butterflies are pollinators, moths are largely considered crop pests. Though some moths pollinate the flowers that bloom at night.

Significance of Moths:

• They perform some essential ecosystem services, including pollination, nutrient cycling and providing prey to birds and bats.
• Moths are nocturnal and potential indicators of ecosystem health and changes. Therefore, in agro-ecosystem, moth abundance is positively related to abundance of crops.

Problems caused by Moths:

• Several moths are considered pests.

Important Moths:

Silkworm moth, (Bombyx mori) in its caterpillar stage is used for silk production (sericulture) for thousands of years. The species has undergone complete domestication with the species no longer being found in the wild.

• About the Zoological Survey of India’s study on Moths in Kerala:
  • The study was conducted through a two – year long survey from 2018.
  • Key Findings:
    • The study identified 37 new moth species including 3 new species discovered first time in India. These were Aeolarcha eaphthalma, Pharambara micacealis, and Tirathaba leucotehars.
    • There has been a decline in the diversity due to excessive use of pesticides, radiation and air pollution.

3) ARTHROPODS: INSECTS: DRAGONFLY

Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata, characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings and an elongated body.

They are mostly found in Wetlands – in areas like lakes, ponds, streams – because their larva called nymphs are aquatic.

They spend a larger part of their life under water and as an aquatic predator feed on fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic insects.

They were among the very first winged insects to have evolved over 300 million years ago.

Grasshoppers also act as bio-indicators and studying their life-cycle gives us an idea about our wetlands and ecology as a whole.

They also act as important bio-control agent as adult Odantes feed on mosquitoes, blackflies and other blood sucking flies. They eat a large number of mosquitoes in their larval stage.

Key threats faced by Dragonflies: Degrading wetlands

A) NATIONAL DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL

The National Dragonfly Festival, being conducted across 11 states in India by the WWF-India in collaboration with several other organizations like BNHS, aims to create awareness for the conservation of these insects. This festival was first observed in 2018. It is citizen science movement that has been running for the past five years. This festival will continue till December (Oct 2023)

B) NEW SPECIES OF DRAGONFLIES: RED RUMPED HAWKLET

Red rumped hawklet (Epithemis wayanadensis): It is a new species of dragonfly that was discovered by naturalist David Raju at Wayanad in Kerala. A paper related to this was published in 2023.

4) ARTHROPODS: CRUSTACEANS (CRABS, LOBSTERS, BARNACLES)

A) CRABS

• Crabs are decapod crustaceans, which means they have 10 legs and a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton.
• The Coconut crab, found on islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, with a leg-span of upto 3 feet.

B) HORSESHOE CRAB

Horseshoe crabs are marine and brackish water arthropods. They are the only living member of the order Xiphosura.

• Despite their name, they are not true crabs or crustaceans; they are chelicerates, most closely related to arachnids (spider, ticks, scorpions etc.)

They live in and around shallow coastal waters. They are medicinally priceless and one of the oldest creatures on earth.

News (March 2023)

Horseshoe crab disappearing off Odisha has scientists alarmed (March 2023: Source – TH)

• India has two species of Horseshoe crabs and major concentration of the animals is found in Odisha.
• They are disappearing from their familiar spawning grounds along Chandipur and Balaramgadi coast in Odisha’s Balasore
• Medicinal Value:
  • Horseshoe crab has blue, copper-based blood which is used in the biomedical industry to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment and vaccines.
  • All injectable and medicines are tested with the help of Horseshoe crabs.
  • A molecule has been developed from reagent of Horseshoe crab that would help treat pre-eclamsia and lives of many babies can be saved in womb itself.
• Key threats to Horseshoe crabs:
  • Damaging of eggs by local people.
• Living Fossil: They are referred to as “living fossil” as they have been around for over 450 million years and have changed very little over time. Scientists are surprised to find strong immune system in animal that helped them survive millions of years.

Like Olive Ridley Sea turtles, these crabs are basically deep sea animals. They come to the coast of Balasore in Odisha and Digha and Sundarban in West Bengal for breeding purposes. They select suitable site for laying eggs.

5) ARTHROPODS: ARACHNIDS: SPIDERS (CR)

A) RAMESHWARAM ORNAMENTAL (OR RAMESHWARAM PARACHUTE SPIDER)

It is a tree dwelling species endemic to TN’s Ramanathapuram district.

It was first discovered in Rameshwaram Island in 2004 and has been named after the island.

IUCN: CR

Physical Features: The Spider has light and dark brown stripes across its body and legs, characteristic of all spiders in the genus Poecilotheria, which give it excellent camouflage n trees.

Distribution and threat: This species face extinction mainly due to loss of its natural habitat to development activities. The habitat is restricted to a few tamarinds, casuarina and mixed dry deciduous tree and palm plantations on the Remshwaram Island. The occupancy of the population is only 6 sq km.

B) GOOTY TARANTULA, METALLIC TARANTULA OR PEACOCK TARANTULA (POECILOTHERIA METALLICA)

Physical Characteristics: Steel blue color with patches of intense orange yellow, black and white. It is the only blue species of the genus Poeciltheria.

Discovery: First discovered in a railway timber yard in Gooty (Ooty/Udhagamandalam) in south India in a burn pile during railway construction.

Distribution / Habitat: Endemic to South India, wooden mountain system.

Ornamental Pet: Great demand world over in illegal pet trade.

Threats:

• • Illegal trade: One of the most expensive spiders in the illegal pet trade.
  • Deforestation and habitat destruction

7. MOLLUSCA: MUSSELS 

Mussels refer to numerous bivalve mollusks belonging to the marine family Mytilidae and to freshwater family of Uniondae.

Distributed: They are distributed worldwide and are most common in cool seas.

Important Food Species: Some species like the blue mussel are important as food in Europe and other parts of the world and have been cultivated since 13th century.

Invasive Mussels: The two species of tiny zebra mussel (genus Dreissena) are prominent freshwater pests. They proliferate readily, and adhere in great numbers virtually to any surface.

A) CHARRU MUSSEL

• About Charru Mussel (Mytella strigata)
  • Charru Mussel is native to the South and the Central American Coast. But in Indian waters it is invasive.
  • It is spreading quickly through the backwaters of Kerala and is elbowing out other mussel and calm species and threatening the livelihood of fishermen involved in molluscan fisheries.
    • Vembanad, Ponnai, Ashtamudi, Paravur are some wetlands which have been affected.
    • Ashtamudi (which is also a Ramsar site), is among the worst affected water bodies. With a population as high as 11,384 per sq. meter in Ashtamudi, it has replaced Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) and the edible oyster Magallana bilineata.
  • How did it come to India?
    • Most probably, the mussel reached Indian shores attached to ship hulls or larval form in ballast water discharge.
    • The rapid spread may have been caused by cyclone Ockhi which struck the region in
• Way forward
  • Urgent need to study the spread of Charru Mussel throughout Indian water bodies, understand the pathways of introduction and thus take steps to control it.
  • There is also a need to promote studies on invasion biology and strengthen awareness on marine invasive species.

8. ECHINODERMS

• Exclusively free living marine animals.
  • They are triploblastic and have a coelomic cavity.
  • Most have arms that radiate from the centre of their body. Centre body contains organs and mouth for feeding

1) SEA CUCUMBERS

• Details
  • Sea cucumbers are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad.
  • They are found in seafloor worldwide.
  • They play a significant role in marine ecosystem. They help recycle nutrients. They break down detritus and other organic matter, after which bacteria can continue decomposition process. Thus, they play a role similar to what earthworms play on land.
  • They are named for their resemblance to the fruit of cucumber plant.
• Threats:
  • Many of the sea cucumbers are gathered for human consumption and some are even cultivated in aquaculture system.
• Illegal Trafficking:
  • A new study by Wildlife Conservation Society- India (WCS-India) has shown that Sea Cucumber were the most frequently trafficked marine species in India between 2015 – 2021.
    • The greatest number of seizures were observed in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka.
  • WPA currently protects all species of sea cucumbers.
• CITES COP-19 (Nov 2022)
  • Sea cucumbers are included in CITES Appendix-II. Cites has decided to include the genus Thelenota in the category.