Life History of Western Ghats endemic and threatened Anuran – Matheran leaping frog, (Indirana leithii) with notes on its feeding preferences

The species Indirana leithii (Anura: Ranixalidae) is endemic to the northern Western Ghats of India and is distributed between latitudes 16°N and 21°N in this region. The tadpoles of this species have been previously studied for their morphology and feeding behaviour; however, their natural history is still not completely understood. In the current study, we provide information about the mating behaviour, egg laying and metamorphosis of the species. We observed that the species possesses reproductive mode number 19 as these frogs lay eggs inside the natural cavities of vertical rock surfaces near streams and waterfalls and their tadpoles are adapted for adhering to the wet rock surface, where they feed on algae (including diatoms) growing in seepage on the rocks. Interestingly, there is no audible calling or territory guarding involved during the courtship behaviour. This has been observed for the first time in any Indian anuran. We also provide data on food preferences of adults and tadpoles.

莱氏林蛙（Indirana leithii，隶属于无尾目[Anura]、溪蛙科[Ranixalidae]）为印度北部西高止山脉特有物种，分布范围覆盖该区域内北纬16°至21°的区间。此前已有研究针对该物种的蝌蚪形态与摄食行为开展相关工作，但人们对其完整的自然生活史仍未完全明晰。本研究中，我们报道了该物种的交配行为、产卵过程及变态发育相关信息。研究发现，该物种的繁殖模式为第19型：它们将卵产于溪流与瀑布附近垂直岩壁的天然空腔内，其蝌蚪特化出吸附湿润岩壁的能力，以岩壁渗流处生长的藻类（包括硅藻）为食。值得注意的是，该物种的求偶过程中不存在可闻声鸣叫与领地防御行为，这在印度境内的所有无尾类物种中均为首次被记录。此外，本研究还提供了该物种成体与蝌蚪的食物偏好相关数据。