Raorchestes shillongensis

Raorchestes shillongensis (common names: Shillong bubble-nest frog, Shillong bush frog, Xmas frog) is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to Greater Shillong in North East India. It is known from the Khasi Hills in the region of Shillong, Meghalaya in north-eastern India.[2] It has been categorized as Critically Endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, and in the number of mature individuals in and around Shillong, in Meghalaya, northeastern India.[1]

Raorchestes shillongensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Rhacophoridae
Genus: Raorchestes
Species:
R. shillongensis
Binomial name
Raorchestes shillongensis
(Pillai & Chanda, 1973)
Distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis
Synonyms

Philautus shillongensis Pillai & Chanda, 1973

Population

The population is believed to have declined significantly. While it was considered to be abundant in the 1970s, it is now difficult to find specimens of this frog. Recent ongoing (post 1993) vocalization surveys in and around Malki Forest (the type locality) have failed to record this species.[1]

Habitat and threats

This species inhabits tropical moist forests. Selective logging, the collection of wood for subsistence use, and urbanization, are all major threats to the species' habitat.[1]

Conservation

It is not known whether or not this species occurs in any protected areas, but habitat protection and maintenance are urgent priorities for this species, and additional survey work is necessary to assess its current population status.[1]

Documentary

Thumbelina - the story of an Xmas Frog by award-winning Indian wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur is a documentary on Raorchestes shillongensis.[3]

References
  1. Dutta, S.; Ohler, A. & Roy, D. (2004). "Raorchestes shillongensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T58902A11852580. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T58902A11852580.en.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Raorchestes shillongensis (Pillai and Chanda, 1973)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. "Meet Shillong's Xmas Frog: So Tiny, It Fits In a Raindrop". Retrieved 2019-09-08.


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