Kali Night Frog: New Species Found in Karnataka’s Western Ghats
Why in the news
Researchers reported a previously unknown frog, the Kali night frog, from the central Western Ghats in Karnataka. It highlights how much hidden diversity the region still holds.
Key facts
- Scientific name: Nyctibatrachus kali; family Nyctibatrachidae.
- Habitat: pristine torrential streams, humid leaf litter and shaded rock crevices of the Castlerock rainforest, within the Kali river catchment.
- Genus: Nyctibatrachus, or night frogs, found only in the Western Ghats.
- Behaviour: nocturnal, active near fast-flowing streams.
- Range: micro-endemic, confined to a small pocket of the central Western Ghats.
How it was identified
| Feature | Finding |
|---|---|
| Cryptic status | Looks almost the same as the Kumbara night frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara) |
| Genetics | DNA isolation and sequencing showed a separate lineage |
| Call | Male mating call has distinct frequency and pulse patterns |
Conservation context
- The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity.
- They hold over 180 amphibian species, about 80 per cent of them endemic.
- Threats to micro-endemics: habitat fragmentation (roads, plantations, hydropower), climate change, agrochemical pollution, and invasive species or pathogens such as Chytrid fungus.
About key terms
- Nyctibatrachus: an ancient, large frog group of small to medium stream-dwelling frogs adapted to torrential streams; other recent members include the Kumbara night frog.
- Cryptic species: look alike but differ genetically, in behaviour or ecology; found with DNA sequencing, bioacoustics or detailed measurements, and each may need its own protection plan.
Exam angle
- Name and common name: Nyctibatrachus kali, Kali night frog.
- Place: Castlerock rainforest, Kali river basin, Karnataka.
- Related terms: cryptic species, micro-endemic, bioacoustics.