Identification of anuran species diversity of the Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India, using an integrated approach
Vishal Kumar Prasad, Kumudani Bala Gautam, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, R. SREENIVASA MURTHY, K. RAMESH, AJINKYA DUTTATRAY SHINDE, Abhijit Das
Abstract
We present a comprehensive inventory of amphibians from Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh based on morphological, molecular and bioacoustic data. Representatives of 15 anuran species were collected, corresponding to roughly four fifths of the known amphibian species of Madhya Pradesh. The main results of this study are: (1) Description of advertisement calls of eleven species, including the first-time description of advertisement calls of Sphaerotheca pashchima. (2) Identification of cryptic species using acoustic and molecular techniques. (3) Five new significant range extensions and new state records. (4) Description of geographical variation in call properties in three anuran species. This study also provides morphological descriptions with ecological and natural history notes for each species that may be useful in management planning for amphibian conservation in Panna Tiger Reserve.