DANCING FROGS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

News-CRUX-10     12th October 2023        
QEP Pocket Notes

Context: Recently, the Wildlife Trust of India identified the dancing frogs in the Western Ghats as India's most threatened amphibian genus.

Dancing Frogs

  • Endemic to the Western Ghats
  • Habitat Preference: Thrives in dense canopy areas (70-80% coverage)
  • Fifth Most Threatened Genus Globally, with 92% of species in the threatened category
  • Behavior: Unique mating display near streams
  • Males perform "foot flagging" to attract mates and deter competition due to stream noise
  • Ecological Significance: Valuable in food chains and ecosystem services
  • Threats: Endangered by invasive species, land use changes, temperature and humidity variations, extreme weather events, infectious diseases, water and light pollution, and infrastructure projects


Wildlife Trust of India

  • About: WTI is a non-profit conservation organisation dedicated to safeguarding India’s natural heritage.

oWTI is a registered charity in India (under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961).

  • Founded: In November 1998 in New Delhi, India, in response to the rapidly deteriorating state of wildlife in India.
  • A team of 3 members set out on a mission to save the environment which has now increased to 150 full time professionals.
QEP Pocket Notes