30th July 2024 (10 Topics)
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Endangered Charles Darwin’s frog
Context
An international team of biologists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the Charles Darwin’s frog (Minervarya charlesdarwini), an endangered species native to the Andaman Islands. This research reveals fascinating and previously unknown aspects of this frog's reproductive behavior.
Key Highlights
- Upside-Down Spawning: The Charles Darwin’s frog lays its eggs in a unique upside-down position on the inner walls of tree cavities or root buttresses filled with water. This is different from other frogs, which lay eggs in a more traditional position.
- Egg Development: Once the eggs are laid, they eventually fall into the water below, where they hatch into tadpoles.
- Male Calls: Male Charles Darwin’s frogs use three types of calls to attract females: advertisement calls, aggressive calls, and combat calls.
- Physical Confrontations: If vocal calls do not deter rival males, physical fights involving kicking, boxing, and biting occur.
- Mating Disruptions: Unpaired males often try to interrupt the mating pairs, leading to intense battles. The upside-down position of the mating pair might help prevent rivals from disturbing them.
- Use of Trash: Due to habitat loss, these frogs are increasingly found breeding in discarded containers like plastic and metal trash. This shift from natural breeding sites to human waste is a growing concern.
- Implications: Researchers are worried about the long-term effects of this behavior on the frogs’ survival and are calling for efforts to protect their natural habitats.
Fact Box: About Charles Darwin’s frog (Minervarya charlesdarwini)
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