Raorchestes ponmudi (Biju & Bossuyt 2005)

Diagnosis: Raorchestes ponmudi has a snout-vent length (SVL) that ranges from 35.9-38.9 mm, with males being larger than females. R. ponmudi can be characterized by the presence of protruding eyes, the presence of lingual papillae, prominent nuptial pads in males and the presence of bands on the posterior surfaces of the shanks. It is a robust frog and can be distinguished from other Western Ghats species by the vermiculated posterior surfaces of the shanks. The SVL is greater than all other similar anuran species in the area. It has a sharp canthus rostralis, as well as webbing of the toes that reaches the distal subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV (Biju and Bossuyt 2005; Biju and Bossuyt 2009). Description: The snout is longer than the horizontal diameter of the eye. The nostrils are oval, lack a distinct lateral skin flap, are slightly raised, and are located closer to the tip of the snout than the eye. The pupils are horizontal and oval, and the tympanum is distinct, round, and is approximately three times larger in diameter than the eye. Tympanum size is equal to the tympanum-eye distance. R. ponmudi lacks vomerine teeth. It has a large tongue, along with obtuse lobes that are sparsely granular. Lingual papillae are present and pointed, and the supratympanic fold is distinct. The hand is longer than the forelimb, and the relative lengths of the fingers in increasing order, are as follows: I, II, IV, III (Biju and Bossuyt 2005).Coloration: There is a pair of brown concave stripes that runs from behind the eye to the vent and crosses in an &quotX&quot pattern on the back, and the dorsum is a light gray-yellow with some white blotching and small black splotches. The thighs are a light chocolate brown and are vermiculated with gray patches that differ in size. Between the eyes, there is a light brown triangle which extends to the upper eyelid. The snout, loreal region, and tympanic region are all light brown, with dark gray upper eyelids. R. ponmudi has a light grey groin with dark brown spots. The eye is golden brown and encircled in a grey ring. The lips are brown banded. The forelimbs have dark brown spots and are light brown, and the hind limbs are light brown with gray cross bands. The posterior of the thigh is light chocolate brown and is vermiculated with patches of grey. The ventral surface is light, gray and the throat is dark gray with dark brown spots. The ventral sides of the feet are light gray, with the tibia being light chocolate brown and vermiculated with light green patches (Biju and Bossuyt 2005). Variation: The dorsal coloration does not vary greatly, but may fade upon preservation. The &quotX&quot pattern on the dorsal surface can be faded on some individuals (Biju and Bossuyt 2005).Species Authority: The species was described by Biju and Bossuyt (2005). Phylogenetic Relationships: R. ponmudi is a member of the Rhacophorid family. It was originally classified in the genus Philautus, but was subsumed into a new genus, Raorchestes, based upon recent molecular evidence (Biju et al. 2010). Etymology: This species has been named after the area in which the type specimens were found, Ponmudi Hill in the Western Ghats of India (Biju and Bossuyt 2005).

The species is found at Ponmudi Hill, which is a part of the Agasthyamala Hill Range in the Western Ghats in India. Most specimens have been collected from an evergreen forest that is surrounded by grassland at 1000 m elevation (Stuart et al. 2008). R. ponmudi has been found between 8-15 m in the forest canopy (Biju and Bossuyt 2009). However, other individuals have been observed 2-4 m off the ground on coffee plants, rather than in the forest canopy.

Most individuals were collected from forest canopy, suggesting that an arboreal habitat is preferred. When specimens were collected, individuals were observed calling and were nocturnally active (Biju and Bossuyt 2005). Its reproductive mode is characterized by direct development (Stuart et al. 2008).

The one known population is declining, possibly due to habitat loss caused by the expansion of tea plantations. As it is only found inside a limited range, and this range is threatened, its status is &quotCritically Endangered&quot (Stuart et al. 2008).

Raorchestes ponmudi is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats, India and like others in the genus has a life-history that involves direct development, the tadpoles develop into tiny frogs within the egg. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests which are threatened habitats. It was first described from Ponmudi hill after which it is named but the species has a wider distribution within the southern Western Ghats and has been recorded in Wynaad, Idukki, and Thiruvananthapuram districts in Kerala, and Valparai in Tamil Nadu. It is a somewhat large species within the genus with males nearly 4 cm long from the tip of the snout to the vent.

Lateral view

Front view

Calling