Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates)
Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates)
Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates)
ZSI
2013
Zoological Survey of India
Endemic Animals of India
Edited by
K. Venkataraman
A. Chattopadhyay
K.A. Subramanian
Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (Editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates):
1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata)
ISBN 978-81-8171-334-6
Published at the Publication Division by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore,
Kolkata–700053. Printed at Hooghly Printing Co., Ltd., Kolkata–700 071.
FOREWORD
Each passing day makes us feel that we live in a world with diminished ecological diversity and disappearing
life forms. We have been extracting energy, materials and organisms from nature and altering landscapes at a rate
that cannot be a sustainable one. Our nature is an essential partnership; an ‘essential’, because each living species has
its space and role’, and performs an activity vital to the whole; a ‘partnership’, because the biological species or the
living components of nature can only thrive together, because together they create a dynamic equilibrium. Nature
is further a dynamic entity that never remains the same- that changes, that adjusts, that evolves; ‘equilibrium’, that
is in spirit, balanced and harmonious. Nature, in fact, promotes evolution, radiation and diversity. The current
biodiversity is an inherited vital resource to us, which needs to be carefully conserved for our future generations
as it holds the key to the progress in agriculture, aquaculture, clothing, food, medicine and numerous other fields.
Today, our biological wealth has been threatened due to escalating anthropogenic demands leading to devastation
of habitats and ecosystems. In this situational matrix, declaration of the present decade (2011-2020) by the United
Nations as the “Decade on Biodiversity’’ has rightfully created a thrust upon our county for implementing the
obligations and responsibilities of the clauses of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
A taxonomic analysis of available species is still the popular approach in assessing diversity and measuring
species - richness values of plants and animals in an area, which is one of the important parameters in conservation
programme. Each species is one unit and the loss of a species signifies that the world is poorer by one unit species,
or an area becomes poorer by one locally extinct taxon. In recent times, naturalists and economists have begun to
raise the questions, whether we can afford to treat all species with equal rating? If one would ask, whether a species
of rat is equivalent to a species of panda? The answer would become, rats are no less important in human economy,
but they lack appeal to the biologists from the viewpoint of conservation. Eventually, some species always received
priorities over other in protection.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) spearheaded the taxonomic researches of fauna in India for about a
century and as a premier institution under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) brought out many
scientific documents and books highlighting the faunal wealth and diversity of the country. Taxonomy, in fact,
provides the reference system for all organisms, and the framework on which the skills to identify and specify
the elements of biodiversity are based. As such, it has been recognized by the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as being fundamental to the CBD.
The present document prepared by the ZSI on the endemic vertebrate animals of India would prove to be
vital and useful one. I am sure present document/book will prove to be a reference material for the conservation
officials, scientists, students, policy planners and all others concerned with the cause of conservation and sustainable
utilization of the biological resource of the country.
(Balakrishna P)
Dr. K. VENKATARAMAN
Director
Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Zoological Survey of India
M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata–700 053
Telefax: +91 33 2400 6893,
Email: [email protected]
PREFACE
India, one of the mega biodiversity countries of the world is unique in having faunal elements representing
Gondwanaian, Afrotropical, Oriental and Palearctic representatives. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies
provide strong evidence that many endemic fauna such as caecilians, some freshwater molluscs, freshwater
fishes, certain reptiles and insects of the subcontinent are evolutionarily the most ancient forms. High levels
of endemism across vertebrate and invertebrate groups in India are reported from the Eastern Himalayas,
Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
So far, a whopping figure of more than 93,000 species of animals constituting some 7.50% of the overall
species recorded in the entire world has been documented from our country. Zoological Survey of India has
contributed significantly to the documentation, especially establishing the distribution of endemic species.
Most of the endemic species due to their unique habitat preference, life history strategies and low population
densities are at a higher risk of extinction due to anthropogenic activities. In the recent past, the distribution
and population of many endemic species, which were once common across the landscape have reduced. This
alarming trend indicates the overall degradation of ecosystem health and decline of associated species.
Accurate scientific documentation of endemic fauna is the first step towards effective conservation
actions. The scientists of ZSI, over the years have traversed across India and studied the vast National
Zoological Collections to document the endemic status of various species. The current updated document
on endemic vertebrates provides recently adopted nomenclature, status and distribution of endemic species.
This publication on “Endemic Vertebrates” will be of immense help to taxonomists, ecologists, conservation
managers, National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Boards, Biodiversity Management Committees,
Peoples Biodiversity Registers, students and teachers.
We envisage that this publication will encourage students, teachers, professionals and amateur naturalists
to document and conserve faunal diversity of India, especially the endemics.
Kolkata K. Venkataraman
02 May, 2013 Director
Contents
1. Prologue............................................................................5
2. Mammalia........................................................................7
3. Aves.................................................................................17
4. Reptiles...........................................................................35
5. Amphibia........................................................................67
6. Pisces.............................................................................139
PROLOGUE
K. Venkataraman
Zoological Survey of India
M-Block, New Alipore
Kolkata - 700 053
“Security is mostly a superstition, it does not exist in of their poor adaptability to varied environmental
nature. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at conditions other than that of their own habitats.
all” – Helen Keller
The concept of endemism is applied while
The paraphrased quotation of Hellen Adams Keller, formulating different biogeographic regions. The study
the American writer and social activist, aptly reflects in of an endemic animal species involves the study of the
true sense and spirit the concept of species-endemism zoogeographical zones that constitute the habitat of a
in nature. The Mother Nature has many sentinel species. Zoogeography therefore helps in the study of
species which, by their outright exposures to dire and the past and present pattern of distribution of a type of
disastrous threats to their lives, have overcome the animal, which in turn can help in predicting its future
dangers, and still continue to sustain and perpetuate range of occurrence.
themselves in their natural habitats and environment
that have undergone considerable change. Distribution and occurrences of animal species
was always guided by the environmental forces in
Endemism is the phenomenon of restricted the past. Patterns of distribution can be explained
distribution or occurrence of a species in a well defined by a combination of dispersalist and vicariance
geographical area. The area may be as small as that biogeography. It is believed that the vicariance process
of a small lake; it may be the state of a country or a forms the underlying mechanism of distributional
country itself, or even a continent. The phenomenon of diversity and the dispersalist mode operating only
Endemism is related to Biogeography that denotes the occasionally. Vicariance theory states that a species
unique occurrence of a living species in the ecological that is distributed over a wide area becomes vicariated
state of a well defined geographic location that may be as a geographic barrier develops, as was evidenced
a small local area with unique niche characteristics like in the continental drift. The theory of vicarianism
the Loktak Lake in the state of Manipur, an island like developed gradually through the works of Leon
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a state like Gujarat of Croizat, the Italian born phytogeographer (Croizat,
a country, or a nation like India. An endemic species 1982). The dispersalist view proposed that animals
is therefore an animal or a plant species whose habitat get dispersed from a centre of origin by crossing some
is restricted to a particular area or space on the globe existing barrier that would separate them from the
and is found only in that region and nowhere else in original population. The principle however did not get
the world. An endemic species therefore stands as much acceptance due to its rare occurrence.
the true representative of the specific environment
of its habitat, and by the very fact such species may The theory of plate tectonics, which results in
also serve as biological indicators, as had been termed geographical movement or displacement of land mass,
earlier as flagship species in some lower groups of has got firmly established. The dynamic nature of
organisms (Foissner, 2005; Foissner and Stoeck, 2006). continental landmasses has been important in the field
The principal cause of endemism is attributed to the of biogeography that has helped greatly in interpretation
geographical barriers in the form of vast water sheet, of the dispersal of biota. The slow movement of
fluid or frozen, sky-scrapping mountains, spread of continents has also helped in explaining the isolation
large deserts etc., which can best be suited to the level of and intermingling of living populations. During much
national or continental endemism. Species endemism of the Mesozoic Era, the continents remained mingled
may even be caused due to tectonic plate movements together as Pangea. In the Early Cretaceous Epoch, this
and continental drifts. In the case of narrow range of was split by the interceptive development of Tethys
distribution, the endemic species probably indicate Sea giving rise to northern and southern continents
1
2 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
of Laurasia and Gondowana land respectively, with diversity in India which is yet to be explored and
India remaining as a part of Gondowana land. The realised. These vast arrays of faunal diversity remains
flora and fauna were able to move within the Northern distributed in diverse, all possible ecosystem/ habitat
and Southern hemispheres but not between them. conditions available in India.
During the Late Cretaceous and throughout much
The concept of Biodiversity Hotspots got centred
of the Cenozoic period, Gondwanaland got split
on those places/ regions which are the home of large
and its component parts drifted apart, some of them
numbers of endemic species, majority of which are
forming connections with Laurasia, which remained
under threat having already lost at least 70 percent of
more or less a continuous landmass. India had broad
their original natural vegetation and habitats. Reasons
link with Laurasia in the Paleogene Period (during
for biodiversity loss in hotspots have been attributed to
the Paleocene, Eocene and the Oligocene Epochs)
the adversities, mainly, Habitat destruction, Resource
that lasted for about 40 million years. Distinctive
mismanagement, Poaching and Climate change. Over
Paleoendemic species are therefore not found in India.
half of the world’s plant diversity and 42 percent of
Neoendemics in India arose as species diverged from
terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to the 35
the original stock and got reproductively isolated, or
hotspots of the world. So far, more than 92,000 species
developed from hybridization.
of fauna (~7.5% of the world’s faunal account) have
The primary factors that contribute to result been recorded and realised from India.
in the endemism of species are narrow ecological In the context of faunal endemism related to India,
amplitude, poor adaptability, geographical barriers etc. the knowledge about endemism among the vertebrate
Endemics tend to develop on geographically isolated animals of the country is comparatively better realised
areas such as islands where from dispersal is difficult than that of the invertebrates’. Among the Indian
due to various natural geographical barriers. Hence Vertebrate fauna, species endemism among Amphibia
many of the endemics have been recorded from the and Reptilia are found to be as high as 61.2 % and 41%
island areas. About 75 percent of the species found in of the species, respectively. Among fishes, 9 (nine)
Madagascar are endemic. Islands far from mainlands genera are endemic to India. Majority of the endemic
have comparatively less living diversity and have less fauna in India have their occurrence/ distribution in
opportunity for colonization and re-colonization. the hotspots of Eastern Himalayas, Indo Burma region
Colonization and extinction are constantly occurring (both of them include many states of North East India)
within populations. and Western Ghats of India. Many endemic animals
The geographical range of a species is of importance are also found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
in the concept of endemism. Once a species is described, Of the 81 species of endemic birds, 29 species are
it becomes, initially, known as endemic to that location from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 42 species from
and to that country. As and when this species is Western Ghats and 5 species from North East India. Of
recorded from another country, it loses its original the 221 species of endemic amphibians known from
national endemic status; however it may remain as India, the Western Ghats and North East India are
endemic to a particular geographical / bio-geographical represented by 141 species and 51 species, respectively.
region. This may occur in many small animal groups Similarly, majority of the reptilian species endemic
like arthropods, molluscs etc. The endemic tag of well- to India is distributed in the three biodiversity-rich
marked taxa with well-defined status like the species of regions, viz., North Eastern India, Western Ghats and
reptiles, birds or mammals are relatively stable. In the Andaman and Nicobar islands of the country. While
case of birds, the geographical range for endemism is 40% of endemic fresh water fishes of India are reported
frequently represented by Endemic Bird Area (EBA) from the Western Ghats, nearly equal share of richness
encompassing their temporary habitats also, owing to of endemic fishes are also known from the north-
the habitual widespread aerial and migratory practices eastern India.
of the avifauna. India is bestowed with the presence of ten
India occupies only about 2.7% of the land area of biogeographic zones across its length and breadth.
the world and the second most populous nation. India Wild-Life Institute of India has identified in the
is one of the richest countries in the world in terms country the following biogeographic zones:
of biodiversity, and its strategic location has identified 1. Trans-Himalayan Region: The Himalayan ranges
itself as one of the 17 mega diversity countries of immediately north of the Great Himalayan range are
the world. More than 92,000 species of animals have called the Trans- Himalayas. The Trans-Himalayan
so far been recorded from India, and scientists have region with its sparse vegetation has the richest wild
estimated the possible occurrence of five times more sheep and goat community in the world. The snow
Venkataraman : PROLOGUE 3
leopard and the migratory black-necked crane are 9. Islands: The Arabian Sea islands (Laccadive,
found here. Minicoy, etc.) and Bay Islands differ significantly in
origin and physical characteristics. Away from the
2. Himalayas: The forests are very dense with extensive
nearest point on the main land mass and extending
growth of grass and evergreen tall trees. Oak, chestnut,
about 590 kms, Andaman and Nicobar islands in
conifer, ash, pine, deodar are abundant in Himalayas.
the Bay of Bengal have some of the best-preserved
Several interesting animals inhabiting this sub
evergreen forests of India. Large numbers of endemic
Himalayan zone include wild sheep, mountain goats,
species are confined in these areas.
ibex, shrew, panda, snow leopard etc.
10. Coasts: India has a coastline extending over 7,500
3. Semi-Arid Areas: A transitional zone between the
kms. The Indian coasts vary in their topographic
desert and the denser forests of the Western Ghats
characteristics and structures. Extensive deltas of the
is characterized by discontinuous vegetation cover
Hooghly, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri are
of thorn forest with open soil-water deficit areas
the characteristic features of these coasts. Mangrove
throughout the year. Birds, jackals, leopards, eagles,
vegetation, associated with their characteristic flora
snakes, fox, buffaloes are found in this region.
and fauna along with their endemic components, is
4. North-West Desert Regions: This region consists of characteristic of the estuarine coasts of India.
parts of Rajasthan, Kutch, Delhi and parts of Gujarat. The
Indian biogeography reflects an assemblage of
climate is characteristic with very hot and dry summer
variable ecosystems from snow-clad high mountain
and cold winter, with very less rainfall. The vegetation
ranges of the Himalaya to sea coasts of sandy, muddy,
is dominated by mostly xerophytes. Indian Bustard, a
rocky, shingle and coralline nature, in between zone(s)
highly endangered bird inhabits here. Camels, wild asses,
blended with forests, meadows, grasslands, deserts,
foxes, and snakes are found in hot and arid deserts.
wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs. Covering the
5. Western Ghats: The mountains along the west coast terrestrial part of the Indian territory in the south
of peninsular India, traversing the parts of six Indian and west, there is a marine water-spread of varied
states, are the Western Ghats, acclaimed as one of the depth with islands and archipelagoes of various
hottest hotspots of the world. The varied climate and configurations. In ecology, each of these is classified
diverse topography create a wide array of habitats as ecosystem which is defined as a dynamic complex
that support unique sets and assemblages of plant and of interactive and interdependent biotic communities
animal species. The Western Ghats include amongst and their abiotic environment, functioning as a unit
the 34 biodiversity hotspots recognized globally. These within a definable boundary. Ecosystems are usually
hills are known for their richer endemism of species at demarcated on the basis of natural habitat classification
both higher and lower taxonomic levels. on the physical characteristics and general appearance
6. Deccan Plateau: Beyond the Ghats is the Deccan like forests and grasslands. They are classified on the
Plateau, a semi-arid region lying in the rain shadow basis of geographical and geological features like
of the Western Ghats. This region is the largest unit mountains, islands, etc. Each of these ecosystems,
of the Peninsular Plateau of India. The highlands of between them, and within each of them contain large
the plateau are covered with different types of forests, variable sets of habitats unique in their prescriptions
which provide a large variety of plants and animals of living conditions, and each such situation is utilized
including endemics. by a number of organisms for their well struggled
survivability. This inherent driving force has given rise
7. Gangetic Plain: The Gangetic Plain, the geographic to unique sets of traits leading to reproductive isolation
zone that extends up to the Himalayan foothills, is and evolution of new species, and resultantly many of
characterised by the alluvial sediments with large them become endemic to such habitat conditions.
physiogeographic variations but with topographic
uniformity except in the arid Western Rajasthan. It is the characteristic habitat that harbours and
The forest vegetation includes trees like teak, sal, nurtures an endemic species. The endemic species
shisham, mahua, khair etc., along with large varieties are best suited and acclimated to their available,
of associated fauna. limited specific habitat conditions. The well being of
species is therefore dependant on the health of the
8. North-East India: North-East India is one of the environment surrounding it. The healthy looks of an
richest flora regions in the country, abounds with endemic population therefore represent the health
several species of orchids, bamboos, ferns and other condition of the supporting habitat. Alteration in the
plants. A large number of endemic animals harbour in food web prevailing in the ecosystem may hamper the
the states of the North-East. survivability of an endemic animal thereby making it
4 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
endangered. Such sensitivity of the endemic species threatened white-eared night-heron and the orange-
has invited special conservation efforts leading to necked partridge.
declaring many biodiversity rich hot spots where large
number of primary vegetation has already been lost. Environmental degradation in recent times,
especially by the anthropogenic incursions, has brought
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region about series of changes in the physical and other related
harbouring a significant diversity of life forms that is aspects in almost every habitat conditions, all of which
under threat from humans. To qualify as a biodiversity has collectively been phrased as ‘Habitat Degradation’.
hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must The survivability of the endemic species in the natural
contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants habitats becomes highly challenging owing to their
and it has lost at least 70% of its original vegetation. restricted adaptability to the changed microhabitat
These sites support nearly 60% of the world’s plant, climates and conditions. Situation becomes still worse
bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species, with a when one species exhibits strong bond of dependency
very high share of endemic species. Three regions that with some other species in the form of symbiosis or host
satisfy these criteria exist in India such as: specificity. As for example, the existence of the endemic
The Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are Hematopinus oliveri Mishra & Singh, an ectoparasitic
a chain of hills that run along the western edge of Anoplura, is absolutely dependant on the survivability
peninsular India. These regions have moist deciduous of its only host Porcula salvania Hopdgson, the Pygmy
forest and rain forest. The region shows high species hog endemic to Assam, India. The Pygmy hog has
diversity as well as high levels of endemism. Nearly been declared as ‘Critically Endangered’ by IUCN. It
77% of the amphibians and 62% of the reptile species suggests that the interspecific interactions in nature
found here are found nowhere else. There are over often face critically threshold conjunctures sometimes
6000 vascular plants belonging to over 2500 genera threatening the existence of the species, driving them
in this hotspot, of which about 3000 are endemic. to the brink of extinction in their natural habitats.
The highest concentration of species in the Western The susceptibility of the island endemics to
Ghats is believed to be in the Agasthyamalai Hills in their habitat degradation or destruction has got well
the Ghats’ southernmost extremity. The regions within documented (Temple, 1977). 81% of the vertebrate
the hotspot contain over 450 birds, about 140 species, species in the Madagascar and the Indian Ocean
260 reptiles and 175 amphibian species. Over 60% of Islands are unique to them and more than 60 % are
the reptiles and amphibians are completely endemic endemic to New Zealand and Caribbean islands.
to this region. Such a splendorous diversity of life is A metapopulation of an endemic species with
severely threatened today due to habitat destruction, characteristic demographic stochasticity may lead
primarily spearheaded by man. towards extinction. The natural process of immigration
The Eastern Himalayas: The Eastern Himalayan from an adjacent similar population, as a ‘rescue effect’
hotspot has more than 170 globally threatened species. to the earlier population, gets adversely affected due to
The region is home to the Himalayan Newt, Tylototriton anthropogenic habitat destruction and fragmentation.
verrucosus; the endangered dragonfly Epiophlebia Though naturally fragmented ecosystems are found all
laidlawi is also found here. A few threatened, endemic over the world, human mediated habitat modification
bird species are also found here. The Himalayas are is the principal cause of such fragmentation. Such
home to over 300 species of mammals, a dozen of fragmentation of habitats leads to the non availability
which are endemic. Mammals like the Golden langur, of the basic needs for the species surviving there.
the Himalayan langurs, the Gangetic dolphin, wild Endemics can easily become endangered or extinct
water buffalo, swamp deer, etc. have their home range if their restricted habitat undergoes degradation or
in this region. The only endemic genus in the hotspot fragmentation, especially by the human-induced
is the Namadapha flying squirrel which is critically activities, including the introduction of new organisms
endangered. to the native natural ecosystems/ habitats. The major
Indo-Burma: The Indo-Burma region includes causes for habitat degradation and changes in an
North-Eastern India south of Brahmaputra River. This ecosystem are: Modern agricultural practices, Rapid
hotspot spreads over a large area comprising several urbanization, Opencast mining and oil drilling,
major landforms encountering a wide diversity of Extraction of metals and minerals, Indiscriminate
climate and habitat patterns. Many of the species destruction of forests, Cultural practices like jhum
known from this region, especially some freshwater cultivation etc., all of which are promoted in the guise
turtle species, are endemic to the area. As many as of development for the well-being of the fast expanding
1,200 species of birds exist in this region, including the human population.
Venkataraman : PROLOGUE 5
Endemic animals having poor resilience require It is our endeavour in this context to make
special, urgent and stringent conservation measures a handbook on the vertebrate animals endemic
for ensuring their sustainability. Ecological significance to India, collecting, collating and compiling the
of every endemic species needs to be assessed aptly scientific information on the diversity and status of
towards formulation of effective strategies for providing the species. The treatise contains a comprehensive
umbrella protection to the fragile ecosystems containing account of vertebrate animals, belonging to the classes
the endemics. It is important therefore to document of Pisces, Amphibia, Reptiles, Aves and Mammals,
the endemic faunal varieties of a nation like India so endemic to India. The salient information of species
as to implement different conservation practices in the on their diagnostic characteristics, distribution and
endemic-rich areas thus providing them the coverage conservation status provided in this volume may be of
of protected area network. This is particularly relevant use to ease the activities of the conservationists, and
when 67% of the so far recorded critically endangered as well user-friendly to the zoological researchers in
animals of India are found to be endemics. updating their knowledge base.
REFERENCES
Croizat L. 1982. Vicariance/vicariism, panbiogeography, Foissner, W. 2005. Two new “flagship” ciliates (Protozoa,
“vicariance Biogeography,” etc.: a clarification. Systematic Ciliophora) from Venezuela: Sleighophrys pustulata and
Zoology, 31: 291-304 Luporinophrys micelae. European Journal of Protistology,
41: 99-117.
Foissner, W. and Stoeck, T. 2006. Rigidothrix goiseri nov gen.,
nov spec. (Rigidotrichidae nov fam.), a new “flagship” ciliate Temple, Stanley A. 1977: Plant-animal mutualism: coevolution
from the Niger floodplain breaks the flexibility-dogma in with Dodo leads to near extinction of plant. Science,
the classification of stichotrichine spirotrichs (Ciliophora, 197(4306): 885-886.
Spirotrichea). European Journal of Protistology, 42: 249-267.
MAMMALIA
J. K. De and Gaurav Sharma
Zoological Survey of India
M-Block, New Alipore
Kolkata - 700 053
Donkey and camel are used for carrying luggage and Dorsum brownish; a brown bangle above wrist and a
transport. Domestic dog is also used in detection of brown colour on throat present. Generally found in
crime etc. in forensic as well as police department. plains with patches of bush or scrub forest.
Some mammals are directly detrimental to human Distribution: India: Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
activities. They have an impact on food resources.
Status: Least Concern.
Some species of rodents, monkeys, langur, deer, wild
boar, hares, and elephants cause damage to crops and
fruit bats, squirrels also cause damage to orchards. But Family SORICIDAE
sometimes native carnivores prey on domestic herds,
while herbivorous mammals compete with live stock 2. Crocidura andamanensis Miller, 1902
for food. Original Reference:
Mammalian species are exploited for commercial 1902. Crocidura andamanensis Miller Proc. U.S. natl.
purposes. Different wildlife derivatives like skins Mus., 24: 777.
of tiger, leopard, deer, horn of rhinoceros, ivory of
elephant, antlers of deer, musk of deer, gall bladder of Common Name: Eng. - Andaman Shrew.
bear, meat and oil of whales, fins of dolphin, ambergris Type Locality: Mac Pherson Strait, South Andaman
of sperm whale, fur of antelope etc., are some of them.
Salient Features: Large-sized (H & B: 114 mm),
The significance of mammals in an ecosystem tail about ¾ of Head and body length. Dorsal pelage
is to modify vegetation structure, alter pathways of soft; hairs long (7 mm) and medium brown in colour.
nutrients, and thereby change species composition. Ventral pelage is grey.
Their large scale structuring effects make large
Distribution: India: South Andaman Island.
mammals ‘ecological landscapers’. Through this
they influence ecosystem function and biodiversity. Status: Critically Endangered.
Landscaping effects occur when mammals are
regulated by food, rather than by predators. The 3. Crocidura nicobarica Miller, 1902
structuring role of mammals in maintaining species Original Reference:
diversity is evident not just in vegetation, but also in
birds, other mammals, and invertebrates. This role 1902. Crocidura nicobarica Miller Proc. U.S. natl. Mus.,
makes them prime candidates as ‘umbrella species’ 24: 776.
for conservation. Protection of large mammal species Common Name: Eng. - Nicobar Shrew.
and their habitats also conserves a large part of
the remaining community. It also means that such Type Locality: Great Nicobar Island.
mammals become the ‘indicators species’ for the health Salient Features: Large-sized (H & B: 107-120 mm),
of the ecosystem. Mammals play a significant role in tail about 67% of head and body in length. Dorsal
maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Some mammals may pelage short (4 mm), bristly and sooty brown in
be regarded as primary consumers, viz., Artiodactyls colour.
and Perrisodactyls, and some mammals especially
carnivores as highest consumers in ecosystem. Distribution: India: Nicobar Islands.
Status: Critically Endangered.
Order INSECTIVORA
4. Crocidura jenkinsi Chakraborty, 1978
Family ERINACEIDAE
Original Reference:
1. Parachinus nudiventris (Horsfield, 1851) 1978. Crocidura jenkinsi Chakraborty Bull. zool. Surv.
Original Reference: India, 1: 303.
1851. Erinaceus nudiv entris Horslield, Cat. Mamm. Common Name: Eng. - Jenkins’s Shrew.
Mus., E. India Co., p. 136. Type Locality: Wright Myo, South Andaman
Common Name: Eng. - Bare Bellied Hedgehog. Salient Features: Head and body length is: 100-107
Type Locality: Madras, Tamil Nadu mm, tail slightly smaller being 98% of head and body
length. Dorsal pelage long is approx.7 mm with bristly
Salient Features: Length of head and body around and brown in colour. Mainly found in scrub jungles
165 mm, ear 24-27 mm. and it is not above spines. adjacent to human habitation
De and Sharma : Mammalia 9
Common Name: Eng. - Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat. deep cup-like cavity. Terminal nose-leaf is triangular
and pointed. Fur above brownish with paler base;
Type Locality: High Wavy Mountains, Madurai,
undersurface lighter. Forearm measures between
Tamil Nadu
51-63 mm.
Salient Features: A fruit bat with broad and long wing
Distribution: India: Bihar.
(Fa 60) having upper and lower incisors 1-1. Calcar
well-developed, extending far behind the tibia. Adult Status: Data Deficient.
male strongly built, with a grotesque muscular head.
Fur on the head are short and more dark brown. Ears 13. Rhinolophus cognatus K. Andersen, 1906
are uniformly dark without any distinct margin of pale Original Reference:
colour. Normally found in Evergreen forests.
1906. Rhinolophus cognatus Andersen, Ann. Mus. Stor.
Distribution: Normally found in Meghamalai Range
Nat. Genova 3, 2: 181.
and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil
Nadu. Common Name: Eng. - Andaman Horseshoe Bat.
Status: Endangered. Type Locality: Port Blai, South Andaman
Salient Features: Forearm is less than 43 mm. Median
Family PTEROPODIDAE anterior rostral swelling and moderately inflated.
Posterior palatal emargination is wider than interior
11. Pteropus faunulus Miller, 1902 palatal emargination.
Original Reference: Distribution: India: Andaman Islands.
1902. Pteropus faunulus Miller, Proc. U.S. Nail. Mus., Status: Endangered.
24: 785.
Common Name: Eng. - Nicobar Flying Fox. 14. Hipposideros hypophyllus Kock and Bhat, 1994
Type Locality: Car Nicobar, Andaman Original Reference:
Salient Features: It is smaller than P. giganteus 1994. Hipposideros hypophyllus Kock and Bhat,
Brünnich, forearm being only 118 mm. Back Prout’s Senckenbergiana biologica, 73: 25.
Brown but rump approximating Wood Brown and Common Name: Eng. - Leafletted Leaf-nosed Bat.
tinged with Cinnamon; under parts Ochraceous-buffy
Type Locality: Hanumanhalli, Kolar, Bangalore,
strongly tinged with pale Cinnamon; Crown and sides
Karnata
of head grizzled with grey and Wood Brown. Fur
long and longest hairs is about 16-17mm on the back. Salient Features: Fore arm (Fa) is about 37-40
Resides in Tropical Evergreen Forests mm. Colour varies in hair tips from greyish brown
to rufous brown on the back, and from white to
Distribution: India: Car Nicobar, Camorta and Nancowry
fulvous white on the front; hair bases white. A pair
Status: Vulnerable. of well-developed supplementary leaflets projects
from beneath the lateral margin of the anterior leaf.
Family RHINOLOPIDAE Roost at inaccessibly narrow subterranean caves in
granite rocks in association with other species of the
12. Rhinolophus mitratus Blyth, 1844 genus.
Original Reference: Distribution: India: Kolar district, Karnataka.
1844. Rhinolophus mitratus Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Status: Endangered.
13: 483.
15. Hipposideros durgadasi Khajuria, 1970
Common Name: Eng. - Mitred Horseshoe Bat.
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Chaibasa, Bihar
2008. Hipposideros durgadasi Molur, S. & Srinivasulu,
Salient Features: Ears large with a broad well- C. In: IUCN 2012.
developed antitragus which is separated from the outer
margin by a shallow angular notch. Single groove in Common Name: Eng. - Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed
lower lip. Horizontal base of sella between nostrils Bat.
much expanded and turned upwards, forming a Type Locality: Katungi, Jabajplur, Madhya Pradesh
De and Sharma : Mammalia 11
Distribution: India: Darjeeling, West Bengal. 19. Macaca radiata (E. Geoffroy, 1812)
Original Reference:
Status: Data Deficient.
1812. Cercocebus radiatus Geoffroy, Ann. Mus. Hisf.
Family VESPERTILIONIDAE Nat. Paris., 19: 98.
Common Names: Eng.-Bonnet Macaque; Hin.-
17. Harpiola grisea Peters, 1872 Makadu, Wanar, Mah.-Maflga, Kodaga; Mal.-Kurangu
Original Reference: Tam.-Korangu, Vella Manthi.
Type Locality: India.
1872. Murina grisea Peters, Monatsb. K. Preuss. Akaad.
Wiss. Berlin, 1872: 258 Salient Features: A medium-sized macaque with
head and body length is about 514-599 mm,in male
Common Name: Eng. - Peter’s Tube-nosed Bat. and 345- 523 mm in female; tail usually longer than
Type Locality: Jeripanee, Mussoorie, Dehradun, head and body . A bonnet of long dark hairs radiates in
Uttarakhand all directions from a whorl on the crown, but hairs on
forehead short and nearly parted in the centre. Colour
Salient Features: Ears small is about 7.5mm and varies seasonally as well as individually; in cold usually
muzzle narrow;Thumb long, with a strong claw. Last lustrous olive brown, under part whitish; in hot coat
vertebra of tail free. Wings from the base of the toes. fades to a buffy grey. Found in forested tracks as well
Fur above dark brown with yellow brown tips. It is all towns and villages in the foothills and plains; often
recorded at the elevation of 1676m. concentrated in the temple areas.
Distribution: India: Kumaon Hills, Uttaranchal; Distribution: Indian: As far north as Bombay on the
Mizoram. west and Godavari River in the east.
Status: Data Deficient. Status: Least Concern.
12 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
20. Macaca munzala Sinha, Datta, Madhusudan and Common Name: Eng. - Jerdon’s Palm Civet; Mal.-
Mishra, 2005 Kart-nai.
Original Reference: Type Locality: Kodaikanal, Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu.
2005. Macaca munzala Sinha, Datta, Madhusudan and Salient Features: General colour typically dark and
Mishra, Int J Primatol., 26: 977–989. pattern obscure. Hairs on neck reversed in direction,
growing forward from shoulder to the head. Facial
Common Names: Aruanchal Macaque.
vibrissae brown to blackish. Tail with brown or white at
Type Locality:
Zemithang, Western Arunachal tip. Normally resides in wet evergreen tropical forests
Pradesh. in Hills especially coffee estates. Largely arboreal.
Salient Features: It has a compact built with a very Distribution: India: Western Ghats in Karnataka,
dark face. Morphologically the adult munzala resembles Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
that of M. assamensis–M. thibetana clade. Although
Status: Least Concern.
structurally distinct, both the baculum and the skull
of M. munzala bear greater similarity with those of
23. Viverra civettina Blyth, 1862
M. assamensis and M. thibetana and cluster with them
rather than with M. radiate and M. sinica. The relative Original Reference:
tail length of M. munzala is also comparable to that of 1882. Viverra civettina Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 31:
M. assamensis. 332.
Distribution: India: Western Arunachal Pradesh. Common Names: Eng. - Malabar Large- spotted
Status:
This species has been categorised as Civet; Mal.-Jawad.
Endangered in IUCN Red List. Type Locality: Trvancore, Kerala.
21. Trachyypithecus johnii (J. Fischer, 1829) Salient Features: Head and body length varies
from 700 to 800 mm. A mane of black erectile hairs
Original Reference:
extending from between the shoulders to the entire
1829. Cercopithecus johnii Fischer, Synopsis mamm. p. length of tail. Soles of feet almost naked. Body colour
25. distinctly yellow with large black spots at the hinder
part. Tail has incomplete yellow rings. Seen in wooded
Common Names: Eng.-Nilgiri Langur; Mal.- Vella
plains and adjoining hill slopes including non-forest
manthi; Tam-Mandi, Manthi.
areas.
Type Locality: Tellicherry, Kerala.
Distribution: India: Western Ghats from Honnavar
Salient Features: Large-sized langur having head and in Karnataka to Kannya Kumari in Tamil Nadu.
body length from 508-700 mm in male and 550-600 mm
Status: Critically Endangered.
in female. Glossy black pelage, but back of head covered
with long yellowish brown hairs; rump and base of tail
grizzled. Female’s rith a white patch on the inner side of Family MUSTELIDAE
thighs and tail length is about 680-965 mm in male and
720-800 mm in female. Usually found in tropical moist 24. Martes gwatkinsii Horsfield, 1851
evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Original Reference:
Distribution: India: Western Chats - Nilgiri, 1851. Martes gwatkinsi Horsfield, Cat. Mamm. Mus. E.
Anaimalai, Brahmagiri and Palni Hills. India Co., p. 90.
Status: Vulnerable. Common Name: Eng. - Nilgiri Martin.
Type Locality: Madras (=Chennai), Tamil Nadu.
Order CARNIVORA
Family VIVERRIDAE Salient Features: Head and body length ranges
from 450 to 600 mm; tail about three-fourth length
22. Paradoxurus jerdoni Blanford, 1885 of head and body. Dorsum from head to rump
deep brown, fore quarters of leg almost reddish; a
Original Reference: dark stripe running along the side of the neck from
1885. Paradoxurus jerdoni Blanford, Proc. Zool. Soc., behind the ear; throat pale yellowish to yellowish
Lond., 1885: 613. brown. Dorsal profile of skull is flattened. Normally
De and Sharma : Mammalia 13
found in shola grass land , dry and moist deciduous deciduous and moist evergreen forests m plains as well
forests, tropical evergreen forest at an altitude of 350 as hills.
to 2500m.
Distribution: India: Most parts of Peninsular India in
Distribution: India: Western Ghats in Kerala, the south of about 22°N, mainly in the Western Chats
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. with isolates in the northeast up to south Bihar.
Status: Vulnerable Status: Least Concern.
Common Name: Eng. - Elvira Cremnomys. 32. Rattus palmarum (Zelebor, 1869)
Type Locality: Kurumbapatti, Salem District, Tamil Original Reference:
Nadu.
1869. Mus palmarum Zelebor, Reise Oesferr. Fregatte
Salient Features: Like house rat (H&B 126-149 mm). Novara. Zool., (Wirbelthiere), Saugeth, p. 26.
Fur soft. Colour above brownish grey, under parts
Common Name: Eng. - Car Nicobar Rat.
grayish white; tail bicolor. Palate less than half of the
occipitonasal length. Generally seen in Semiarid zone Type Locality: Probably Great Nicobar, Nicobar
with thorny scrub. Islands.
Distribution: India: Salem district, Eastern Ghats, Salient Features: A very large-sized rat (H&B.
Tamil Nadu. 275mm) with tail much being up to 228 mm. Hind
foot around 50. Tail wholly dark, belly yellowish
Status: Critically Endangered.
white. Preferred habitat is Mangrove and tropical rain
forest.
30. Cremnomys cutchicus Wroughton, 1912
Distribution: India: Nicobar Islands, probably Great
Original Reference:
Nicobar.
1912. Rattus cutchicus Wroughton, J. Bombay nat.
Status: Vulnerable.
Hist. Soc., 21: 340
Common Name: Eng. - Cutch Cremnomys. 33. Rattus ranjiniae Agrawal and Ghosal, 1969
Type Locality: Dhonsa, Kutch, Gujarat. Original Reference:
Salient Features: Very similar to the previous species, 1969. Rattus ranjiniae Agrawal and Ghosal, Proc. zool.
but smaller on average both in head and body and Soc. Calcutta, 22: 41.
skull lengths. Above drab grey to drab brown; belly
Common Name: Eng. - Ranjini’s Rat.
varying from white to dull grayish. Tail wholly dark
or poorly bicolor. Resides in rocky areas with dense Type Locality: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
or sparse vegetation, grasslands on hill slopes and also Salient Features: Medium-sized field rat (H&B
crop fields. 160-261 mm), tail longer than head & body in
Distribution: India: Gujarat in the north to Bihar and young adults but shorter in fully adult specimens.
Orissa in the east and south to Karnataka. Hind foot over 40. Dorsal fur long with admixture
soft spines. Dorsal colour Bistre, hinder parts
Status: Least Concern.
darker. Vental fur dense, woolly and dirty white.
Tail unicoloured. Palate does not extend posteriorly
31. Millardia kondana Mishra and Dhanda, 1975
beyond the third molar; cheek tooth-row more than
Original Reference: 8 in length and more than 2.5 in width . Habitat is
1975. Millardia kondana Mishra and Dhanda, J. cultivated fields, also goes to water at the time of
Mammal., 56: 75. emergency.
Distribution: India: Kerala.
Common Name: Eng. - Large Metad.
Status: Endangered.
Type Locality: Sinhgarh (18o 23’ N, 73o 42’E). Pune
District, Maharashtra. 34. Rattus stoicus (Miller, 1902)
Salient Features: Large-sized field rat (H&B. 168 to Original Reference:
201mm), tail shorter than head and body. Above dark
brown, greyish white below; tail fairly bicolored, dark 1902. Mus stoicus Miller, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus., 24: 759.
above, greyish below. Planter pads six in number. Common Name: Eng. - Andaman Archipelago
Normally in scrub, bushes, marshy forest and rocky Rat.
areas near human Habitation.
Type Locality: Henery Lawrence Islands, Andaman
Distribution: India: Known only from type locality; Islands.
Sinhgarh Plateau, Pune, Maharashtra.
Salient Features: Large, heavily built rat (H&B 266
Status: Critically Endangered. mm), tail much shorter being up to 228. Hind foot
De and Sharma : Mammalia 15
around 50 mm. Tail unicolored, undersurface bluish Salient Features: Small-sized mouse (H&B. less
grey. Diastema very long, over 18 mm. than 90 mm), tail smaller than head and body
being about 70. Fur spiny. Dorsum light brown to
Distribution:
India: South Andaman, Little
dark brown, under parts white, Supra orbital ridge
Andaman, Henry Lawrence Islands.
present. Mammae 3+2. Lives in grass beneath wood
Status: Endangered. land
35. Rattus burrus (Miller, 1902) Distribution: India: From southern parts of Rajasthan
to Tamil Nadu.
Original Reference:
Status: Least Concern.
1902. Mus burrus Miller, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus., 24: 768.
Common Names: Eng. - Miller’s Nicobar Rat, 38. Mus platythrix Bennett, 1832
Nicobar Archipelago Rat, Nonsense Rat. Original Reference:
Type Locality: Trinkat Island, Nicobar Islands. 1832. Mus platythrix Bennett, Proc. zool. Soc. Lond.,
Salient Features: Medium-sized rat, head and body 1832: 121.
and tail subequal being around 215 mm. Hind foot 43 Common Name: Eng. - Flat- haired Mouse.
mm. Dorsal fur spineless, slightly grizzled; belly light
buff. Diastema 14 mm. Type Locality: Deccan Plateau, Andhra Pradesh.
Distribution: India: Islands of Trinkat, Little Nicobar Salient Features: Head and body on average 95 mm,
and Great Nicobar. tail always shorter than head and body. Dorsum dark
brown but ranging sometimes to pale brown; under
Status: Endangered.
parts normally white with a clear line of demarcation.
36. Mus famulus Bonhote, 1898 A dark stripe on foot. Fur spiny. Supraorbital ridge
present. Found in Hedge, cultivated fields, dry river
Original Reference: beds in hilly countries.
1898. Mus famulus Bonhote, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., Distribution: India: Bihar and Maharashtra to the
12: 99 south up to Tamil Nadu.
Common Name: Eng.–Bonhote’s Mouse, Servant Status: Least Concern.
Mouse.
Type Locality: Coonoor (1540 m), Nilgiris, Tamil 39. Platacanthomys lasiurus Blyth, 1859
Nadu. Original Reference:
Salient Features: Small-sized mouse (H&B about
1859. Platacanthomys lasiurus Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc.
81mm), tail little shorter. Dorsum light brown to dark
Bengal, 28: 289.
brown, underparts white. Supra orbital ridge present.
Mammae 3+2. Normally found in Tropical and sub Common Name: Eng. - Spiny Tree Mouse.
tropical evergreen montane forest and shola grasslands.
Type Locality: Madras, Tamil Nadu.
Distribution: India: Around 1500 m elevations in
Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Palni Hills in South India. Salient Features: Rat like in appearance, but
thickly haired, like squirrel. Pollex and hallux
Status: Endangered.
short, clawless. Fur on the upper part mixed with
37. Mus phillipsi Wroughton, 1912 broad, flat spines. Tail hairs coarse but not spiny,
short near the body, increasing in length towards
Original Reference: the tip. Above reddish brown, below nearly white.
1912. Mus phillipsi Wroughton, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Preferred habitat is moist deciduous and rain
Soc., 21: 772 forests.
Family CRICETIDAE Salient Features: Head and body well over 100, tail
on average one- third of head and body. Ear on average
40. Alticola roylei (Gray) about one-tenth of head and body. Colour rich dark
Original Reference: brown above, pale brown below. Tail bicolor, dark
above, pale below. Found in open uplands and rocky
1842. Alticola roylei Gray, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., (Ser. I), grounds covered with coarse grass often also near
10: 265. human habitation
Distribution: India: Himalaya, from Kullu Valley in
Common Name: Eng.-Royle’s High Mountain Himachal Pradesh to Kumaon in Uttaranchal at an
Vole. altitude from 2600 to 3900 m.
Type Locality: Kumaon, Utter Pradesh. Status: Near Threatened.
REFERENCES
Alfred, J.R.B and Chakraborty, S. 2002. Endemic Mammals Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta), 460-469.
of India, Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper No. 201: 1–37 Ramakrishna and Alfred, J.R.B., 2007. Faunal Resources in
(Published – Director, Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata) India: 1-427 (Pub. Director, Zoological Survey of India,
Alfred, J.R.B.; Sinha, N.K. and Chakraborty, S. 2002. Checklist Kolkata).
of Mammals of India, Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper Wilson, D.E., and D. M. Reeder (Eds.). 2005. Mammal Species
No. 199: 1–289 (Published – Director, Zool. Surv. India, of the World, A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference.
Kolkata) Third Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore,
Agarwal, V. C. 1998. Faunal Diversity of India : Mammalia. MD. 2 Volumes, 2141 pp.
In : Faunal Diversity in India, i-viii, 1-495 (Pub.-ENVIS
NOTE: Some authors have recorded the following species as endemic to India also. However the authenticity of
the distribution of the species requires further verification.
Cremnomys elvira (Ellerman, 1946) Millardia kondana Mishra and Dhanda, 1975
AVES
J. K. De and G. Maheswaran
Zoological Survey of India
M-Block, New Alipore
Kolkata - 700 053
Introduction Order CICONIIFORMES
Family ACCIPITRIDAE
Entire Indian sub-continent is rich in avian diversity.
Out of the more than 9,000 bird species of the world, 1. Spilornis klossi Richmond, 1902
the Indian subcontinent contains about 1300 species
or over 13% of the world birds. Indian sub-continent Original Reference:
rich in avifauna also has some 48 families out of the 1902. Spilornis klossi Richmond, Proc. U S. nat. Mus.,
total 75 families found in the world. 25.
An enormous variation in climatic conditions Common name: South Nicobar Serpent Eagle
within the Indian limits has helped birds to colonise Type Locality: Kunyi, Great Nicobar Island.
throughout the country in huge numbers spread
Salient features: It differs from Nicobar Crested
over various habitats. However, we have very little
Serpent Eagle with light coppery sheen; face
information of the biology of the vast majority of smoky grey; buffy-brown under parts is unmarked;
these species. There may be many new species that wing coverts prominently edged with white with
have not been named by science may emerge from primaries black, having two dusky bars, one
the chain of Islands within Andaman and Nicobar confined to outer primaries; tail has two pale bars.
region and North East and North West Himalayas. They are forest dwelling bird; also frequently found
The main significance of having so much diversity in coastal areas.
in bird population is mainly attributed to having Distribution: India: Great Nicobar Island.
so many broad ecological regions and ten different
biogeographic zones. Status: The family Accipitridae to which it belongs is
included under Schedule IV of Wildlife (Protection),
In India there are about 1224 species of birds Act, 1972. IUCN Near Threatened.
and out of which 158(13%) are globally threatened.
Eighty-one species out of 158 are endemic to India 2. Accipiter butleri (Gurney, 1898)
and amongst them three species – Himalayan Quail Original Reference:
– Ophrysia supeciliosa; Jerdon’s Courser- Rhinoptilus
bitorquatus and Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti 1898. Astur butleri, Gurney, Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 7: 27,
Baker, FBI No. 1806, Vol. 5: 151.
has been designated by the IUCN as Critically
Endangered, while Narcondum Horn bill – Aceros Common Name: Nicobar Sparrowhawk
narcondami; Nilgiri Laughingthrush – Garrulax Type Locality: Car Nicobar Island.
cachinnans, White-bellied Blue Robin Myiomela
albiventris and Nilgiri Blue Robin Myiomela major Salient Features: 35 cm in length approximately.
Richly coloured. Male shows a single dark subterminal
has been marked as Endangered. Altogether 79
band on the undertail femal and juvenile are rich
species of birds have been recorded as Endemic rufous brown with 3 -5 dark bands on the uppertail.
to India. Most of these endemic species are found Found in forest
restricted in the hot spots of Western Ghat and
North eastern states and in the islands of Andaman Distribution: Car Nicobar, Nicobar Islands. Camorta
and Nicobar. Status: IUCN- Vulnerable
17
18 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type Locality: Southern Nicobar Island. Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Salient Features: Approx. 41 cm in size. It is a Status: The family its family Columbidae in which
long tailed, reddish brown dove having feathers of it belong is included under schedule IV of the Indian
upperparts fringes with rufous. Male has Rufus head; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
crod glossed with lilac-purple and throat whitish;
breast and abdomen cross-barred with black. Female 19. Ducula aenea nicobarica (Blyth, 1858)
has mottled black head and crown, breast and
Original Reference:
abdomen chestmc and unbarred. Lives in pairs or
in small flocks and found in evergreen secondary 1858. Carpophaga insularis Blyth, Jour. Asiat. Soc.
forests. Bengal, 27: 270.
Distribution: India: Throughout the Andaman and Common Name: Nicobar Green Imperial Pigeon
Nicobar Islands
Type Locality: Nicobar Islands.
Status: The family Columbidae in which it belongs
Salient Features: It is approx. 43 cm. It is sometimes
is included under Schedule-IV of The Indian Wildlife
confused with mountain imperial pigeon and
(Protection) Act, 1972. IUCN Near Threatened.
Andaman wood pigeon. It has chestnut under tail
coverts & green upper parts. Arboreal and is generally
17. Treron affinis (Jerdon, 1840) found in forest and second growth with fruit trees.
Original Reference: They emit deep sound. It is chiefly found below 300 m,
but may be found up to 600 m altitude. It is resident
1840. Vinago affinis Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci., 12: birds.
13, Baker, FBI No. 1831, Vol. 5: 188.
Distribution: India: Peculiar to the Nicobar group of
Common Name: Greyfronted Green Pigeon Islands south of ten degree channel.
Type Locality: West coast of the Indian Peninsula. Status: IUCN- Least Concern
Salient Features: Apprx. 28 cm in size. The head is
green to greenish-yellow, and the underparts are green. Order PSITTACIFORMES
Usually occurs singly or in small groups and lives in Family PSITTACIDAE
forest and well- wooded country in evergreen and wet
deciduous biotope. 20. Psittacula caniceps (Blyth, 1846)
Type Locality: South Andaman Island. 1873. Heteroglaux blewitti Anonymous - Hume. Str.
Feath., 1: 468
Salient Features: Approx. 19 cm in size. A little owl of
the size of a Nicobar Bulbul, having a distinct ear-tuts Common Name: Forest Spotted Owlet
and golden yellow eyes. Crown. nape and mantle dark Type Locality: (Busnah, Phooljan State, India)
rufous-brown with sparse and indistinct buff and dark [=Phuljhan, C 21°N, 21°N, 8°3E., Madhya Pradesh].
brown markings. Facial disc buff; under parts finely
vermiculated and spotted with dark brown and buff. Salient Features: Approx. 23 cm in size. A small
Sexes alike. A little known bird, Nocturnal, therefore round-headed owl. Upperparts including head, neck,
often heard than seen. Inhabits thick forests. scapular and interscapular region dark earthy brown;
hind collar of white spots indistinctive; under parts
Distribution: India: Andaman Islands. more brown and less white; a strongly marked dark
Status: The family Strigidae in which it belongs is brown bar present across the throat. Breast brown with
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife white fringes to the feathers. Sexes similar.
(Protection) Act, 1972. Habits and Habitat: The owlet is a resident of the
moist deciduous forest and groves of wild mango.
23. Otus alius (Hume, 1873)
Evidently a diurnal bird. Very little known about its
Original Reference: habitat.
1876. Ephialtes nicobaricus Hume. Str. Feath., 4: 283. Distribution: Formerly, it is used to occur in the
Peninsular India, ranging from Surat Dangs (Gujarat)
Common Name: Nicobar Scops Owl
in the west to Sambalpur (Orissa) in the east,
Type Locality: Nicobars = Camorta. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Salient Features: As of Otus balli species, but Status: This bird is included in the Schedule I of the
significantly larger. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
De and Maheswaran : Aves 23
26. Strix ocellata (Lesson, 1839) Salient Features: It is about 36 cm in length. With
white heart- shaped facial disc. Above, golden buff
Original Reference:
and grey, finely stippled with black and white. Below,
1839. Synium ocellata Lesson, 1839, Rev. Zool.; 289, silky white, more or less tinged with buff and usually
Baker, FBI No. 1649 (part), Vol. 4: 402. spotted dark brown. Sexes alike. The neighbourhood
Common Name: Southern Mottled Wood Owl of cultivation and human habitations chiefly in the
plains and peninsular hills to 1000 m altitude.
Type Locality: Pondicherry.
Distribution: Andaman Islands.
Salient Features: About 48 cm long. A large owl
without ear- tufts; beautifully mottled and vermiculated Status: IUCN- Least Concern
above with reddish brown, black, white, and buff. Facial
disc white, finely barred concentrically with black; Family CAPRIMULGIDAE
ruff white and black with chocolate admixed. Below,
stippled with white; a prominent white half- collar on 29. Caprimulgus andamanicus Hume, 1873
foreneck. Rest of under parts white and golden buff.
Original Reference:
Sexes alike. Found mainly in plains, densly canopied
trees in open forest, mangroves, edges of fields, 1873. Caprimulgus andamanicus Hume, Stray Feathers,
Gradens. 1 : 470, Baker, FBI No.1622, Vol. 4: 363.
Distribution: India: Southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu Common Name: Andaman Nightjar
northward through Mysore, Andhra, Maharastra,
Type Locality: Jolly Boys Island, Andaman Islands.
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa.
Salient Features: Approx. 23 cm in length. A medium
Status: IUCN- Least Concern
sized brownish buff forest nightjar of remarkably
camouflaging plumage. Affects shady wooded nullahs
27. Ninox obscura Hume, 1876 in sal and the moist-deciduous forest. Crepuscular and
Original Reference: nocturnal activity.
1876. Ninox burmanica Hume, Stray Feathers, 4: 285, Distribution: The Himalayan ffothills up to 1800 m
Baker, FBI No.1699, Vol. 4: 455. alt.
Common Name: Hume’s Hawk-owl Status: Not determined
Type Locality: Kamorta Island.
Order BUCEROTIFORMES
Salient Features: Approx. 32 cm in length. A very Family BUCEROTIDAE
hawk like owl, dark grayish brown above with whitish
forehead and irregular white patches about the 30. Rhyticeros narcondami Hume, 1873
shoulders. Below, throat and foreneck fulvous, streaked
with brown. Affects forest and well wooded country. Original Reference:
Captures the fast and erratically flying pipistrelle bats 1873. Rhyticeros narcondami Hume. Str. Feath, 1 : 411.
on the wing.
Common Name: Narcondam Hornbill
Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Type Locality: Narcondam Island, Andamans.
Status: Not determined.
Salient Features: Approx. 45-50 cm in size. A
medium-sized, black hornbill, slightly larger than a
Family TYTONIDAE
Pariah kite; having an elongated cream-yellow bill,
bearing a light brown casque and a white tail; head
28. Tyto deroepstorffi (Hume, 1875) and neck rufous. Female black throughout; tail as in
Original Reference: male. Keeps in small locks of three or four. Inhabits the
tropical rain forest.
1875. Strix derooepstorffi Anonymous = Hume, Stray
Feathers, 3: 390, Baker, FBI No. 1637, Vol. 4: 386. Distribution: India: Narcondam Island in Andaman.
Common Name: Andaman Barn owl Status: The bird is protected in India by enlisting in
Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act,
Type Locality: Aberdeen, South Andaman Islands. 1972 and Appendix II of CITES.
24 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Status: The Alaudidae family in which it belongs is Common Name: White Headed Myna
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
Type Locality: Car Nicobar, Nicobar Island.
(Protection) Act, 1972.
Salient Features: Approx. 21 cm in size and of the size
Family DICRURIDAE of a Common Myna; having long plumes on crown.
Head, neck and under parts creamy white; back pale
grey; wings and tail feathers glossy greenish black:
36. Dicrurus andamanensis Tytler, 1867
rump chestnut Sexes alike.
Original Reference:
Habits and Habitat: Keeps in large flocks. Lives in
1867. Dicrurus andamanensis Tytler, in Beavan, Ibis : forest clearings, cultivation and grassland.
323.
Distribution: India: Andamans, Car Nicobar and
Common Name: Andaman Drongo Katchal Islands.
Type Locality: Port Blair, South Andaman Island. Status: The Sturnidae family in which it belongs is
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
Salient Features: Approx. 32 cm in size. A glossy
(Protection) Act, 1972.
black bird of the size of a Bulbul, having bunches of
elongate hair on head and a longer forked tail. Sexes
alike. Flocks considering of 12-20 birds; wander Family CORVIDAE
through forests in search of food.
39. Dendrocitta leucogastra Gould, 1833
Distribution: Found in the Andaman Islands.
Original Reference:
Status: The Dicruridae family in which it belongs is
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife 1833. Dendrocana leucogastra Gould, Proc. zool. Soc.
(Protection) Act, 1972. Lond., : 57.
Common Name: White-bellied Tree Pie
37. Strophocincla fairblanki Blankford, 1869
Type Locality: Eastern Asia = Malabar Coast.
Original Reference:
Salient Features: Approx. 48 cm in size. A long tailed
1869. Strophocincla fairblanki Blankford, J. Asiat. Soc. tree-pie, of the size of a Myna. Face black, contrasted
Beng., 38: 164-191. with white nape and under parts. Wings black, marked
Common Name: Kerala Laughingthrush or Grey- with white patch. Tail tipped with white. Sexes alike.
breasted/White breasted Keeps in pairs or in small parties. Inhabits humid,
broad leaved, evergreen hill-forests.
Type Locality: Kerala, Western Ghats especially
South of Pal Ghat Cap. Distribution: The species is distributed throughout
the hills of southern India from North Karnataka,
Salient Features: A small laughingthrush with plain south to Kerala and east to Andhra Pradesh.
dark greyish brown crown. Has fine brown streaks
on whiter centre of throat and upper breast. Found in Status: The Corvidae family in which it belongs is
pairs or parties of 6-15, sometimes upto 30. Frequents included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
in undergroth in open broad-eared forest. (Protection) Act, 1972.
Distribution: India: Kerala.
40. Dendrocitta baylei Tytler, 1863
Status: IUCN Near Threatened
Original Reference:
Family STURNIDAE 1863. Dendrocitta baylei Tytler. J. Asiat Soc Beng., 32:
88.
38. Sturnia erythropygia Blyth, 1846 Common Name: Andaman Tree Pie
Original Reference: Type Locality: Andaman Islands.
1846. Sturnia erythropygia Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., Salient Features: Approx. 32 cm in size. A small
15: 34. slender-bodied long-tailed tree-pie of the size of a myna;
head, neck, upper back, throat and upper breast dark
26 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
bluish ashy; lower back and rump pale rufous; lower eastern Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu. One old
breast rufescent ashy; rest of under parts chestnut; tail record is from Anamalai hills, Kerala.
and wings black, the latter with white patch, Sexes alike.
Keeps in pairs or in small parties and in tall trees. Status: The Pycnonotidae family in which it belongs
is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
Distribution: India: Andaman Islands. (Protection) Act, 1972.
Status: The Corvidae family in which it belongs is
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife 43. Hypsipetes nicobariensis Horsfield and
(Protection) Act, 1972. Moore, 1854
Original Reference:
Family PYCNONOTIDAE
1854. Hypsipetes nicobariensis Moore, in Horsfield &
Moore. Cat. Bds . Mus. E. 1. Co., 1: 257.
41. Pycnonotus priocephalus (Jerdon, 1839)
Original Reference: Common Name: Nicobar Bulbul
1839. B. (rachypus) priocephalus Jerdon, Madras J. Lit Type Locality: Nicobar Islands.
Sci., 10: 246.
Salient Features: Approx. 20 cm in size. A soft
Common Name: Grey-headed Bulbul plumed, crestless bulbul, of the size Redvented bulbul.
Type Locality: Peria Pass, Malabar. Head, nape, wings and tail dark brown; back olive;
underparts grey. faintly washed with pale yellow. Sexes
Salient Features: Approx. 19 cm in size. An olive-green alike. Keeps singly, in pairs or in small parties. Affects
bird, of the size of a Red Vented Bulbul. Males and females forest and gall.
are coloured alike. Head grey with greenish forehead;
rump black; central tail grey and outer rectrices dark Distribution: India: Nicobar Islands (Camorta,
bown: chin blackish; rest olive-green. Keeps in pairs or Trinkat, Nanciiwry, Katchal and Teressa).
in small parties. Inhabits dense evergreen jungles.
Status: The Pycnonotidae family in which it belongs
Distribution: Distributed in Peninsular India. A limited is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
range in the heavy rainfall area of Western Ghats from (Protection) Act, 1972.
Goa south to Kerala and adjacent hills of Tamil Nadu.
Status: The Pycnonotidae family in which it belongs Family MUSCICAPIDAE
is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. 44. Spelaearnis badeigularis Ripley, 1948
Original Reference:
42. Pycnonotus xantholamus (Jerdon, 1844)
1948. Spelaeornis badeigularis Ripley, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Original Reference: Wash, 61 : 103.
1844. Brachypus xantholaeumus Jerdon, Madras J. Lit
Common Name: Mishmi Wren or Rusty-throated
Sci., 13 : 122.
Wren-babbler.
Common Name: Yellow-throated Bulbul
Type Locality: Cachar, Assam.
Type Locality: Easten Ghats west of Nellore, Andhra
Pradesh. Salient Features: Approx. 9 cm in size. A little skulker,
of the size of a House Sparrow. Upper parts dark
Salient Features: Approx. 20 cm in size. A crestless. brown, with scaly appearance; throat chestnut and
olive-green bulbul, with plain yellow green head, streaked; lower partsolive-brown, spotted with white.
contrasting with bright yellow throat and breast; Sexes alike. Poorly known. Inhabits moist subtropical
breast band, grey; abdomen whitish; vent yellow, tail forests.
tipped with yellow. Sexes alike. Keeps in pairs, often
associated with edvented Bulbul. Affects thorny-scrub Distribution: India: Dreyie.1600 m alt, Mishmi Hills,
jungle among hillocks. Arunachal Pradesh.
Distribution:
India: Wildly distributed species Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs
throughout the hills of southern Andhra Pradesh, is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972.
De and Maheswaran : Aves 27
45. Turdoides subrufus (Jerdon, 1839) buff and dark brown bars. Sexes alike. Lives in dense
evergreen sholas and forests. Keeps singly or in pairs.
Original Reference:
A quiet and retiring bird.
1839. Timilia subrufa Jerdon. Madras J Lit. Sci,. 10 :
Distribution: The Western Ghats complex in
259.
southern India from Goa.
Common Name: Rufous Babbler
Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs
Type Locality: Manantoddy, Wynaad. is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
Salient Features: Approx. 25 cm in size. A long- (Protection) Act, 1972.
tailed babbler, with an untidy plumage. In size, it
is between the Red-vented Bulbul and common 48. Garrulax cachinnans (Jerdon, 1839)
Myna. Forehead deep grey; upperparts olive-brown Original Reference:
tinged with rufous; upper bill black, lower yellow;
underparts ferruginous. Sexes alike. Lives in locks of 1839. Crateropus cachinnans Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci.,
7-10 individuals. Frequents all grass and bamboo at 10: 255.
forest edges. Common Name: Nilgiri Laughingthrush.
Distribution: India: South-western India. It is Type Locality: Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
distributed from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) in the
Western Ghats south to Kerala and east to Shavaroy Salient Features: Approx. 20 cm in size. A dull-
Hills in Tamil Nadu. coloured bird. With short and rounded wings. In
size, between Redvented Bulbul and Common
Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs Myna. Upperparts olive-brown; supercilium white,
is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife contrasting with slaty-brown crown; eye stripe and
(Protection) Act, 1972. chin black; rest rufous. Sexes alike. Keeps in parties
of 12-15 birds. Lives in forest undergrowth and scrub.
46. Liocichla bugunorum Athreya, 2006
Distribution: India :Hills of the Nilgiris (Western
Original Reference: Tamil Nadu above 1200 m alt.)
2006. Liocichla bugunorum Althreya, Indian Brids, 2 Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs
(4): 82-94. is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972.
Common Name: Bugun Liocichla
Type Locality: Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, 49. Garrulax jerdoni Blyth, 1851
Arunachal Pradesh.
Original Reference:
Salient Features: Olive with black crown, yellow spots
before and behind dark eye, grey cheek and upper 1851. Garrulax (?) jerdoni Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng.,
parts, gold primary and tail edges, red secondary edges 20 : 522.
and undertail.. Common Name: White-breasted Laughingthrush
Distribution: Western Arunachal Pradesh, especially Type Locality: Banasore Peak.
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctury.
Salient Features: Approx. 20 cm in size. A crestless,
Status: IUCN Vulnerable. olive-brown and rufous babbler, of the size of a Myna.
Crown dark sooty brown: forehead and chin black;
47. Zoothera neilgherriensis (Blyth, 1847) supercilium white; a line behind the eyes black; throat
and breast grey; abdomen rufous. Sexes alike. Keeps in
Original Reference:
parties of 6-12 birds. Flaunts among undergrowth and
1847. O. (reocincla) neilgherriensis Blyth, Jour. Asiat. in low bushes.
Soc. Bengal, 16: 141, Baker, FBI NO. 596. Vol. 2: 159.
Distribution: India: Hills of western Tamil Nadu and
Common Name: Nilgiri Thrush Kerala.
Type Locality: Neilgherries= Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs
Salient Features: Approx. 26 cm in size. A olive- is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
brown colour without buff spots.Closed wings with (Protection) Act, 1972.
28 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Distribution: Western Tamil Nadu and southern and chestnut- below. Crown and nape brownsish slate.
Kerala. Legs dusky yellow. Sexes alike. Habitat is dense damp
rainforest undergrowth of Strobilanthes, thorny cane-
Status: IUCN- Endangered
brakes and cardamom sholas.
55. Myiomela major (Jerdon, 1844) Distribution: It is found at the hills of southwest
India from Goa and Belgaum south through western
Original Reference: Karnataka, Kerala and western TAMIL Nadu.
1844. Phoenicura major Jerdon. Madras J. Lit. Sci., 13: Status: IUCN- Least Concern
170.
Common Name: Nilgiri Blue Robin 58. Myophorus horsefieldi Vigors, 1831
Type Locality: Neilgherries= Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Original Reference:
Salient Features: Approx. 15 cm in size. A robin- 1831. Myophonus Horsfieldii Vigors, Proc. Zool. Soc.
like bird, with a short tail and rounded wings. Size London: 35 (Himalyan Mountains, restricted to
between a sparrow and a bulbul. Entire upper plumage Malabar by Baker, 1923, Hand-list: 93), Baker, FBI No.
slaty-blue; frontal band deep black; breast slaty-blue; 613, Vol. 2: 178.
abdomen white; lanks and under tail-coverts rufous-
Common Name: Malabar Whistling thrush
brown. Sexes alike. Met singly or in pairs amongst the
undergrowth and in small trees. Type Locality: Malabar.
Distribution: India: Hills of southern Karnataka. Salient Features: About 25 cm in length. Large thrush.
Nilgiris. Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. Appears blackish with shiny patches of blue on the
forehead and shoulders and the blue becomes visible only
Status: The Muscicapidae family in which it belongs
in oblique lighting. Bill and legs are black. Sexes alike.
is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. Habits and Habitat: Normally found below 2200 m in
evergreen growth near hill streams. They make whistle.
56. Copsychus malabaricus albiventris (Blyth, 1859) Distribution: India: Western Ghats south of the
Original Reference: Surat Dangs, Satpura range to northwestern Orissa
and Eastern Ghats.
1859. Kittacincla albiventris Blyth, Jour. Asiat. Soc.
Bengal, 27: 269, Baker, FBI No. 564, Vol. 2: 119. Status: IUCN- Least Concern
Common Name: White- rumped Shama
59. Pomatorhinus horsefieldii Sykes, 1832
Type Locality: Andamans.
Original Reference:
Salient Features: About 25 cm in length, the species
1832. Pomatorhinus horsefieldii Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc.
albiventris is a race of C. malabaricus but lower breast
London: 89, Baker, FBI No. 206, Vol. 1: 210.
and centre of belly white. Normally found below 900 m
in bamboo & tangled undergrowth in moist evergreen Common Name: Indian Scimitar Babbler/Deccan
forests. It is very shy & make a good mimic. scimitar babbler
Distribution: India: Andaman Islands. Type Locality: Mahableshwar, Western Ghats.
Status: IUCN- Least Concern Salient Features: About 23 cm in length. A dark olive
brown and white babbler of the indergrowth with
57. Garrulax delesserti (Jerdon, 1839) conspicuous white supercillium, white throat, breast
and centre of belly, and a long, curved yellow bill.
Original Reference: Sexes alike. Evergreen and deciuduous forest, patches
1839. Crateropus delesserti Jerdon, Madars Jour. Lit. of Strobilanthes, thron and Lantana scrub, bamboo
Sci., 10: 256, Baker, FBI No. 131, Vol. 1: 149. jungle and vardamom sholas
Common Name: Wynaad Laughingthrush Distribution: India: Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu
Type Locality: Wynaad, Southern India.
Status: IUCN- Least Concern
Salient Features: About 23 cm in length. An uncrested
laughingthrush, chiefly chestnut- brown above, ashy
30 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
1844, Thimalia platyurus Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit. Sci. Status: IUCN- Vulnerable
13: 170, Baker, FBI No. 837, Vol. 2: 437.
64. Sphenocichla humei (Mandelli, 1873)
Common Name: Indian Broad- tailed Grass warbler
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Goodaloor, foot of the Neilgherries,
Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. 1873. Heterorhychus humei Mandelli, Stray Feathers, 1:
415, Baker, FBI No. 473, Vol. 1: 461.
Salient Features: It is about 18 cm in length. Very
broad rounded tail with narrow dark barring. It is Common Name: Wedged- billed Wren Babbler
warm to greyish brown, unmarked under parts and
Type Locality: Sikkim.
strong bill. Found within 900 m to 2000 m altitude.
Prefers matted grass. Gravy hilly sides. Salient Features: It is 18 cm (Approx) in length. A
stout, heavy looking bird with powerful legs and feet
Distribution: Western Ghats, south to Goa
and bill is wedge shaped. Found in evergreen forest
Status: IUCN- Vulnerable understory, bamboo it is gregarious. Seen in below 800
m & up to 1200 m altitude.
62. Spelaeornis chocolatinus (Godwin-Austen and
Walden, 1875) Distribution: India: Sikim, Balipara Frontier and
Mishmi hills.
Original Reference:
Status: IUCN- Near Threatened
1875. Pnoepyga chocolatina Godwin-Austen & Walden,
Ibis: 252. Order PASSERIFORMES
Common Name: Long- tailed Wren Babbler or Naga
Wren-babbler 65. Parus xanthogenys aplonotus Blyth, 1847
Type Locality: Kedimai, Manipur. Original Reference:
Salient Features: 11 cm in long. Above brown with a 1847. Parus apolonotus Blyth, Jour. Asiat. Soc. Bengal,
scaly appearance, palar than in other wren- babblers; 16: 44, Baker, FBI No. 76, Vol. 1: 92.
a very small pale streak above the eye, and ear-coverts
Common Name: Black-lored Tit
grey- brown. Below, ochraceous-buff with whitish
chin and white centre of belly. Sexes alike. It resides in Type Locality: Chaibasa, Mountains of central India.
subtropical or tropical moist Montana forests.
Salient Features: It is about 14 cm in length. A spa
Distribution: Assam in the Khasi and Cachar hills, rightly black and yellow crested tit. Forehead is black.
and Manipur. Green leack with crest, yellow ear coverts. Ban oak
De and Maheswaran : Aves 31
jungle, Ilex and pine forest or subtropical evergreen 68. Pycnonotus melaniceterus gularis
bush jungle usually with at least a few trees. Normally (Gmelin, 1789)
found below 2400 m, in hill forest.
Original Reference:
Distribution: Hills of peninsular India
1789. Muscicpa melanicetera Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1: 941,
Status: IUCN- Least Concern Baker, FBI No. 429, Vol. 1: 414.
Common Name: Black-capped Bulbul
Family PYCNONOTIDAE
Type Locality: Ceylon.
66. Parus nuchalis Jerdon, 1844 Salient Features: Having 18 cm long. Three races
are there. Some authors consider them as separate
Original Reference:
species. Gularis has red spot on the throat & no
1844. Parus nuchalis Jerdon. Madras J. Lit. Sci., 13: crest. They are found within 1500 to 2400 m altitude
131. in thick forest with good undergrowths, secondary
jungles, well wooded forests, scrub adjoining arable
Type Locality: Eastern Ghats.
land, orchards. Normally found in pairs, but also in
Common Name: White-naped Tit a small group.
Salient Features: Approx. 12 cm in size. A small Distribution: Western Ghats, south of Goa
bird with a short, conical and thick bill. Size about
Status: IUCN- Least Concern
that of a sparrow. Head, neck and ventral stripe
from chin to middle of abdomen black; check-
patch white, remainder of upper plumage glossy Family MOTACILLIDAE
blue-black: wings band and tail white; lower
plumage white; tinged with yellow. Sexes alike. 69. Anthus nilgiriensis Sharpe, 1885
Keeps in pairs or in family parties. Found in thony
Original Reference:
scrub jungle.
1885. Anthus nilgiriensis Sharpe. Cat. Bds. Br. Mus., 10:
Distribution: India: Gujarat (Kutch, Deesa, Palanpur)
550.
and southern Rajasthan. In the Penninsular India.
it is rare, and recorded only from southern Andhra Common Name: Nilgiri Pipit
Pradesh and south Kanataka. Type Locality: Nilgiri Hills, southern India.
Status: The Paridae family in which it belongs is Salient Features: Approx. 17 cm in size. A dark
included under Schedule-IV of the Indian Wildlife bird with a long tail and slender legs. Size about
(Protection) Act, 1972. that of a sparrow. Entire upper plumage tawny
olive with dark brown streaks; tail dark brown;
67. Pycnonotus articeps (Jerdon, 1844) lower plumage buff, streaked with dark brown on
Original Reference: upper belly. Sexes alike. Found singly or in pairs in
grass-covered hills.
1844. Brachypus Xantholamus Jerdon, Madras Jour. Lit.
Sci., 13: 122, Baker, FBI No. 430, Vol. 1: 415. Distribution: India : Hills of Kerala and western
Tamil Nadu. Breeds in the Nilgiris and Palni Hills at
Common Name: Andaman bulbul about c.1500 m. alt.
Type Locality: Eastern Ghats, west of Nellore. Status: Status: The Motacillidae family in which it
Salient Features: It is about 18 cm in length. Two races belongs is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian
are there and they are separated from black- crested Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
bulbul by tail pattern & absence of crest. Normally
found below 700m altitude with broad leaved forest, Family NECTARINIIDAE
second growth, gardens & generally in pairs.
Distribution: India: Southern Andhra Pradesh, Tamil 70. Nectarinia minima (Sykes, 1832)
Nadu, Karnataka in (Anamalai Hills) Original Reference:
Status: IUCN- Least Concern. 1832. Cinnyris minima Sykes. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., :
99.
32 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Small Sunbird yellow; flanks barred with olive-brown and white.
Female similar to male but browner above, duller and
Type Locality: Gauts, Dukun.
paler below, and flanks with fewer and obsolate bars.
Salient Features: Approx. 8 cm in size. A tiny Keeps in flocks. Inhabits forest, thick grass and green
sunbird smaller than the sparrow in size and having cultivation.
a pointed curved bill. Male Back deep crimson;
Distribution: India: Southern Rajasthan, central
rump lilac; tail black; forehead to nape metallic
Uttar Pradesh and southern Bihar south to northern
green; chin and throat metallic purple-lilac, breast
Andhra Pradesh and northern Kerala.
crimson and abdomen dull yellow. Female is olive-
green above, dull yellow below: rump deep maroon; Status: Status: The Ploceidae family in which it
lower plumage dull yellow uniformly. Keeps singly belongs is included under Schedule-IV of the Indian
or in pairs. Inhabits evergreen biotope, in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
foothills.
Distribution: India: Western Ghats complex from Family CAMPEPHAGIDAE
Suriamal (Maharashtra) to the southernmost hills of
Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. 73. Tephrodornis virgatus sylvicola Jerdon, 1830
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dasgupta, J.M., Sipra Basu Roy and Datta, B.K. 2002. Endemic Salim, Ali and Dillon Ripley, S. 2007. Handbook of the Birds
Birds of India, Rec. zool. Surv. India, Occ. Paper No. 200: of India and Pakistan, Second edition, Oxford University
1-44 (Published by the Director, Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata) Press. Volumes 1-10.
Ophrysia superciliosa (Gray, 1846)
Cursorius bitorquatos (Blyth, 1848)
Ghats (37%). Many of the endemics are from the family two specimens collected from High wavy Mountains
Uropeltidae, a group of burrowing snakes, represented of Tamil Nadu in southern Western Ghats (David and
by 35 species. It is however, cryptic and its diversity Vogel, 1998). In the recent past, 2 new species of snakes
is not well understood. Most of them are known only were also described from the country - Dendrelaphis
from their type localities. The only comprehensive girii Vogel & Van Rooijen, 2011 and Calliophis costoe
study available on uropeltid snakes in the recent past is Smith et al., 2012 from the Western Ghats.
that of Rajendran (1985). He emphasized the need for
The systematic account presented below is based
conservation of this unique family which is vanishing
on the works of Boulenger (1890), Smith, (1931, 1935 &
due to habitat destruction and land use changes in the
1943); Tiwari & Biswas (1973), Sharma (1977, 1978,
Western Ghats. Much of their habitats in the Western
1981, 1998, 2002, 2007), Murthy (1985, 1994, 2010),
Ghats have been replaced by plantations of tea, wattle,
Das (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003), Tikedar & Sharma
pine and eucalyptus.
(1992), Das & Bauer (2000), Das & Sengupta (2000),
The most diverse snake family in the Western Daniel (2002), Whitaker and Captain (2004), Sharma
Ghats is Colubridae, represented with 42 species (2007), Thrope et al. (2007), Mukherjee and Bhupathy
followed by Uropeltidae with 35 species. Five genera (2007), Gower and Winkler (2007), Manamendra-
of Snakes which includes Melanophidium, Teretrurus, Arachchi et al. (2007), Das and Vijayakumar (2009),
Brachyophidium, Plectrurus and Xylophis are entirely Giri (2008), Giri & Bauer (2008), Giri et al. (2009a),
endemic to the region. The family Viperidae is Giri et al. (2009b), Zambre et al. (2009), Haralu
represented with 8 endemic species of Pit vipers (2010), Pook et al. (2009), Van Rooijen and Vogel
from India. The Hutton’s Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus (2009), Mahony (2009, 2010), Vijayakumar (2009) and
huttoni) is extremely rare and known only from the Venugopal (2010).
Crocodiles 03 — —
05 Dibamidae 01 15 Colubridae 42
06 Eubelpharidae 01 16 Elapidae 06
07 Gekkonidae 50 17 Viperidae 08
Palot : Reptiles 37
9%
41% 38%
Endemics Turtles & Tortoises
Non-endemics Lizards
59% Snakes
53%
Phylum Chordata Family TRIONYCHIDAE
Class Reptilia 3. Nilssonia leithii (Gray, 1872)
Order Testudines
Suborder Cryptodira Original Reference:
Family GEOEMYDIDAE Ernst, C.H. and Barbour, R.W. 1989. Turtles of the
World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington
1. Vijayachelys silvatica (Henderson, 1912) D.C. - London
Original Reference:
Common Name: Leith’s Softshell Turtle
Henderson, J.R. 1912. Preliminary note on a new
tortoise from South India. Records of the Indian Distribution: Peninsular India. Major rivers in the
Museum, 7(21): 217-218. state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu; and also in some rivers of Maharashtra and
Common Name: Cochin Forest Cane Turtle Orissa.
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats. Confined to Type locality: “Poonah,” India.
Kerala, Karnataka and western Tamil Nadu States.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable; Indian
Type locality: “Near Kavalai in the Cochin State
Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Sch.IV; CITES:
Forests, inhabiting dense forest, at an elevation of
Appendix- II
about 1500 feet above sea level”
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Endangered; Order SQUAMATA
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Sch.I; CITES: SubOrder SAURIA
Appendix I Family AGAMIDAE
Family TESTUDINIDAE 4. Bronchocela danieli (Tiwari & Biswas, 1973)
Original Reference:
2. Indotestudo travancorica (Boulenger, 1907)
Tiwari, K.K. & S. Biswas. 1973. Two new reptiles from
Original Reference:
the Great Nicobar Islands. J. Zool. Soc. India, 25: 57-63
Boulenger, G.A. 1907. A new tortoise from Travancore. Moody, S.M. 1980. Phylogenetic and historical
J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 17: 560-564. biogeographical relationships of the genera in the
Common Name: Travancore Tortoise family Agamidae (Reptilia: Lacertilia). PhD thesis,
Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor, 373 pp.
Distribution: Rstricted to southern Western Ghats,
in the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Common Name: Daniel’s Forest Lizard
Type locality: near Trivandrum, Travancore Hills. Distribution: Great Nicobar Islands
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Vulnerable; Type locality: Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island,
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Sch.IV; India.
CITES: Appendix- II Conservation Status: None
38 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
5. Calotes andamanensis Boulenger, 1891 Common Name: Nilgiri forest lizard
Original Reference: Distribuiton: S.India (Nilgiri Hills, S Western Ghats)
Boulenger, G.A. 1891. On new or little known Indian Type locality: “Foot of Coonoor Ghat, Nilgherries”
and Malayan reptiles and batrachians. Ann. Mag. nat. Conservation Status: None.
Hist., (6) 8: 288-292.
10. Calotes ellioti Günther, 1864
Common Name: Green crestless forest lizard
Original Reference:
Distribuiton: Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London
Type locality: Andaman Islands
(Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp.
Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Elliot’s forest lizard
6. Calotes aurantolabium Krishnan, 2008
Distribution: India (Western Ghats)
Original Reference:
Type locality: Southern India.
Krishnan, S. 2008. New Species of Calotes (Reptilia:
Squamata: Agamidae) from the Southern Western Conservation Status: IUCN Redlilst: Least Concern.
Ghats, India. Journal of Herpetology, 42: 530-535. 11. Calotes rouxii Duméril & Bibron, 1837
Common Name: Orange-lipped forest lizard Original Reference:
Distribution: Tamil Nadu part of Western Ghats. Duméril, A. M. C. and G. Bibron. 1837. Erpétologie
Type locality: Kakachi in Kalakad Mundanthurai Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complete des Reptiles.
Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu, India. Vol. 4. Libr. Encyclopédique Roret, Paris, 570 pp.
Conservation Status: None. Common Name: Roux’s forest lizard
7. Calotes grandisquamis Günther, 1875 Distribution: Confined to the States of Kerala,
Original Reference: Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and western
part of Tamil Nadu.
Günther, A. 1875. Second report on collections of
Indian Reptiles obtained bv the British Museum. Proc. Type locality: “Indes orientales; restricted to India by
Zool. Soc. London, 1875: 224-234. Smith 1935”.
Common Name: Large scaled forest lizard Conseration Status: None
Distribution: Sothern Western Ghats (Anaimalai, 12. Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, 1860)
Bramagherry Hills, Travancore)
Original Reference:
Type locality: at the foot of the Canoot Ghat, near
Manantoddy, Bramagherry Hills. Blyth, E. 1860. J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 29: 23.
Boulenger, G.A. 1885. Catalogue of the Lizards
Conservation Status: None. in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) I. Geckonidae,
8. Calotes maria Gray, 1845 Eublepharidae, Uroplatidae, Pygopodidae, Agamidae.
London: 450 pp.
Original Reference:
Common Name: Bay Islands Forest Lizard
Gray, J. E. 1845. Catalogue of the specimens of lizards in
the collection of the British Museum. Trustees of die British Distribution: India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Museum/Edward Newman, London: xxvii + 289 pp. Type locality: Port Blair, Andaman Islands
Common Name: Khasi hills forest lizard Conservation Status: None
Distribution: India (Khasi Hills in Assam) 13. Coryphophylax brevicaudus Harikrishnan
Type locality: Khasi Hills et al., 2012
Conservation Status: None. Original Reference:
9. Calotes nemoricola Jerdon, 1853 Harikrishnan, S, Vasudevan, K., Chandramouli, S. R,
Choudhury, B.C, Dutta, S.K and I, Das. 2012. A new
Original Reference:
species of Coryphophylax Fitzinger in: Steindachner,
Jerdon,T.C. 1854. Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting 1867 (Sauria: Iguania: Agamidae) from the Andaman
the Peninsula of India. Part 1. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxii Islands, India. Zootaxa, 3451: 31-45.
[1853]: 462-479.
Palot : Reptiles 39
14. Draco dussumieri Duméril & Bibron, 1837 18. Otocryptis beddomii Boulenger, 1885
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Duméril, A. M. C. and G. Bibron. 1837. Erpétologie Boulenger, G.A. 1885. Catalogue of the Lizards
Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complete des Reptiles. in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) I. Geckonidae,
Vol. 4. Libr. Encyclopédique Roret, Paris, 570 pp. Eublepharidae, Uroplatidae, Pygopodidae, Agamidae.
London: 450 pp.
Common Name: South Indian flying lizard
Common Name: Indian kangaroo lizard
Distribution: Western Ghats and some part of
EasternGhats in Andhra Pradesh. Distribuiton: Confined to southern most part of the
Western Ghats, in Kerala and south-western Tamil
Type locality: “Bengale et cote de Malabar”, restricted Nadu States.
to Malabar by Smith 1935.
Type locality: Sivagiri Ghat, South India.
Conseration Status: None.
Conseration Status: None
15. Draco norvilli Alcock 1895
19. Psammophilus blanfordanus (Stoliczka, 1871)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Alcock, A. 1895. J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 64(1): 14. Smith,
M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon Stoliczka,F. 1871. Notes on new or little-known Indian
and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II. Sauria. lizards. Proc. asiat. Soc. Bengal, (Calcutta) 1871: 192-
Taylor and Francis, London, 440 pp. 195.
Common Name: Norvill’s Flying Lizard. Common Name: Blanford’s rock Agama
Distribution: North East India (Assam: Naga Hills, Distribution: India (Bihar, Orissa, Central Provinces,
Doom Dooma; Arunachal Pradesh) Eastern Ghats, Travancore south to Trivandrum,
Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and
Type locality: “Assam”, with no further information. Kerala)
Conservation Status: None Type locality: India (= Central India fide Smith 1935).
16. Japalura otai Mahony, 2009 Conservation Status: None.
Original Reference: 20. Psammophilus dorsalis (Griffith & Pidgeon,
Mahony, Stephen 2009. A new species of Japalura 1831)
(Reptilia: Agamidae) from northeast India with a Original Reference:
discussion of the similar species Japalura sagittifera
Smith, 1940 and Japalura planidorsata Jerdon, 1870. Smith, M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, including
Zootaxa, 2212: 41–61. Ceylon and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II.
Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London, 440 pp.
Common Name: Ota’s mountain Lizard
Common Name: South Indian rock agama
Distribution: NE India (Mizoram)
Distribution: Wide spread in the states of Bihar,
Type locality: “Sairep, Lunglet District, Mizoram” (= Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Sairep (22°49′0 N, 92°49′0 E), Lunglei District, central Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Mizoram, northeast India).
Type locality: India.
Conservation Status: None
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern.
17. Laudakia dayana (Stoliczka, 1871)
21. Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Stoliczka, F. 1871. Notes on new or little-known Indian
lizards. Proc. asiat. Soc. Bengal, (Calcutta) 1871: 192- Annandale, N. 1908. Description of a new Species of
195. Lizard of the Genus Salea from Assam. Records of the
Indian Museum, 2: 97 (37-38).
Common Name: Haridwar Agama
40 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
29. Cnemaspis andersonii (Annandale, 1905) Common Name: Slender day gecko
Original Reference: Distribution: Kerala.
Annandale, N. 1905. Contributions to Oriental Type locality: “Palghat Hills” (Kerala State, India)
herpetology l. The lizards of the Andamans, with [lectotype]
the description of a new gecko and a note on the Conservation status: None
reproduced tail in Ptychozoon homalocephalum. J.
Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 73 (suppl.): 12–22. 34. Cnemaspis heteropholis Bauer, 2002
Common Name: Anderson’s Day Gecko Original Reference:
Distribution: Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Bauer, A.M. 2002. Two new species of Cnemaspis
Type locality: “Narcondum”, Andaman Archipelago (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Gund, Uttara
(India), Bay of Bengal. Kannada, India. Mitt. Hamburg. Zool. Mus. Inst., 99:
155–167.
Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Heteropholis gecko
30. Cnemaspis beddomei (Theobald, 1876)
Distribuiton: Karnataka (Gund, Uttara Kannada)
Original Reference:
Type locality: North Kanara, Karnataka State
Theobald,W. 1876. Descriptive catalogue of the reptiles
of British India. Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta: xiii + Conservation status: None.
238 pp.
35. Cnemaspis indica Gray, 1846
Common Name: Beddome’s day gecko
Original Reference:
Distribution: Southern India.
Gray, J. E. 1846. Descriptions of some new species of
Type locality: Tinnevelly and Travancore Hills Indian Lizards. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (1) 18: 429–430.
(3000–5000 ft. elevation)
Common Name: Indian day gecko
Conservation status: None.
Distribution: Souothern Western Ghats in Kerala,
31. Cnemaspis boei (Gray, 1842) Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Original Reference: Type locality: Madras Presidency, India
Gray, J. E. 1842. Description of some new species of Conservation status: None
Reptiles, chiefly from the British Museum collection.
The Zoological Miscellany: 57–59. 36. Cnemaspis indraneildasii Bauer, 2002
Common Name: Boie’s day gecko Original Reference:
Distribution: India Bauer, A.M. 2002. Two new species of Cnemaspis
Type locality: India, no precise place on type locality (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Gund, Uttara
Kannada, India. Mitt. Hamburg. Zool. Mus. Inst., 99:
Conservation Staus: None 155–167.
32. Cnemaspis goaensis Sharma, 1976 Common Name: Indraneil’s day gecko
Original Reference: Distribution: Karnataka (Gund, Uttara Kannada)
Sharma, R. C. 1976. Records of the reptiles of Goa. Records Type locality: North Kanara, Karnataka State.
of the Zoological Survey of India, 71(1975): 149–167.
Conservation status: None.
Common Name: Goan day gecko
37. Cnemaspis jerdonii (Theobald, 1868)
Distribuiton: Western Ghat part of Goa.
Original Reference:
Type locality: “ca. 3 km S. of Forest Rest House,
Canacona (Poinguinim), Goa” (south-western India). Theobald, William 1868. Catalogue of reptiles in the
Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. J. Asiatic Soc.
Conservation status: None.
Bengal, Calcutta, 37 (extra number 146): (2), vi, 7–88.
33. Cnemaspis gracilis (Beddome, 1870)
Common Name: Jerdon’s Day Gecko
Original Reference:
Distribution: India
Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
Type locality: unknown
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
Sci., 1: 30–35. Conservation Status: None
42 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
38. Cnemaspis kolhapurensis Giri et al., 2009 42. Cnemaspis nairi Inger Marx & Koshy, 1984
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Giri, V.B.; Bauer, A.M. & Gaikwad, K.S. 2009. A Inger R F; Marx H; Koshy M 1984. An undescribed
new ground-dwelling species of Cnemaspis Strauch species of gekkonid lizard (Cnemaspis) from India
(Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the northern Western with comments on the status of C. tropidogaster.
Ghats, Maharashtra, India. Zootaxa, 2164: 49–60. Herpetologica, 40(2): 149–154.
Common Name: Kolhapur day gecko Common Name: Ponmudi day gecko
Distribution: Forested tracts of southern Kerala.
Distribution: Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
Type locality: Ponmudi, Trivandrum District, Kerala
Type locality: under a rock near Dajipur, Kolhapur State.
District, Maharashtra, India (16°22′17” N, 73°51′52” Conservation Status: None.
E; 647 m elevation).
43. Cnemaspis nilagirica Manamendra-Arachchi
Conservation Status: None.
et al., 2007
39. Cnemaspis littoralis (Jerdon, 1854) Original Reference:
Original Reference: Manamendra-Arachchi, Kelum; Batuwita, Sudesh
Jerdon,T.C. 1854. Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting & Pethiyagoda, Rohan 2007. A taxonomic revision
the Peninsula of India. Part 1. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxii of the Sri Lankan day-geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae:
[1853]: 462–479. Cnemaspis), with description of new species from Sri
Lanka and southern India. Zeylanica, 7(1): 9–122.
Common Name: Coastal day gecko
Common Name: Not available
Distribution: Both coastal and hilly areas of western
sides of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Distribuiton: Tamil Nadu.
Type locality: coast of Malabar. Type locality: “Nilgiries” (Nilgiri District, Tamil
Nadu State, south-western India)
Conservation Status: None
Conservation Status: None.
40. Cnemaspis mysoriensis (Jerdon, 1854)
Original Reference: 44. Cnemaspis ornata (Beddome, 1870)
Jerdon,T.C. 1853. Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting Original Reference:
the Peninsula of India. Part 1. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxii Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
[1853]: 462–479. from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
Common Name: Mysore day gecko Sci. 1: 30–35.
Distribution: Karnataka.Type locality: “Bangalore, Common Name: Ornate day gecko
Karnataka, India” Distribuiton: Southern Western Ghats in Kerala and
Conservation Status: None Tamil Nadu.
Type locality: South Tinnevelly Hills.
41. Cnemaspis monticola Manamendra-Arachchi
Conservation Status: None
et al., 2007
Original Reference: 45. Cnemaspis otai Das & Bauer, 2000
Manamendra-Arachchi, Kelum; Batuwita, Sudesh Original Reference:
& Pethiyagoda, Rohan 2007. A taxonomic revision Das, I & A. M. Bauer 2000. Two new species of
of the Sri Lankan day-geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae: Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekonidae) from Tamil Nadu,
Cnemaspis), with description of new species from Sri southern India. Russ. J. Herpetol., 7(1): 17–28.
Lanka and southern India. Zeylanica, 7(1): 9–122.
Common Name: Otai’s day gecko
Common Name: Not available. Distribution: Tamil Nadu
Distribuiton: Kerala. Type locality: “Wynaad” Type locality: Vellore Fort, Velore (12°56'N, 79°09E),
(Kerala State, south-western India) North Arcot District, Tamil Nadu State.
Conservation Status: None. Conservation Status: None.
Palot : Reptiles 43
46. Cnemaspis sisparensis (Theobald, 1876) Smith,M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, including
Original Reference: Ceylon and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II.
Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London, 440 pp.
Theobald,W. 1876. Descriptive catalogue of the reptiles
of British India. Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta: xiii + Common Name: Banded bent-toed gecko
238 pp. Distribution: North West India (western Himalaya,
Common Name: Sispara day gecko Subathu/Simla, Garhwal Hills, Almora, Kumaon)
Distribution: Higher reaches of southern Western Type locality: Subathu, Simla District.
Ghats, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Conservation Status: None.
Type locality: Sholakal, near the bottom of the Sispara
Ghat, Nilghiri Hills (fide Wermuth 1965) 51. Cyrtodactylus gubernatoris (Annandale, 1913)
Conservation Status:
IUCN Redlist: Critically Original Reference:
endangered. Annandale, N. 1913. The Indian geckos of the genus
47. Cnemaspis wynadensis (Beddome, 1870) Gymnodactylus. Records of the Indian Museum, 9:
309–326.
Original Reference:
Common Name: Sikkimese bent-toed gecko
Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med. Distribution: Darjeeling district, West Bengal.
Sci., 1: 30–35. Type locality: Sikkim, Himalayas, Darjeeling District
Common Name: Wynad day gecko (elevation: 1000–3000 feet)
Distribution: Wayanad Hills, Kerala. Conservation Status: None.
Type locality: Wynaad, India.
52. Cyrtodactylus lawderanum (Stoliczka, 1871)
Conservation Status: None
Original Reference:
48. Cnemaspis yercaudensis Das & Bauer, 2000
Stoliczka, F. 1871. Notes on new or little-known Indian
Original Reference: lizards. Proc. asiat. Soc. Bengal, (Calcutta) 1871: 192–
Das, I & A. M. Bauer 2000. Two new species of 195.
Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekonidae) from Tamil Nadu, Common Name: Lawder’s bent-toed gecko
southern India. Russ. J. Herpetol., 7(1): 17–28.
Distribution: North west India (W Himalaya,
Common Name: Yercaud day gecko Kumaon)
Distribution: Tamil Nadu. Type locality: Kumaon (Almora; fide Smith 1935).
Type locality: Yercaud Town (11°48′N; 78°14′E), in Conservation Status: None.
the Shevaroyan (Shevroy) Range, Salem District, Tamil
Nadu, SW India, 1515 m elevation. 53. Cyrtodactylus malcomsmithi (Constable, 1949)
Conservaiton Status: None. Original Reference:
49. Cyrtodactylus adleri Das, 1997 Constable, John D. 1949. Reptiles from the Indian
Peninsula in the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Original Reference: Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard, 103: 59–160.
Das, I. 1997. A new species of Cyrtodactylus from the Common Name: Smith’s bent-toed gecko
Nicobar Island, India. Journal of Herpetology, 31(3):
375–382. Distribution: Punjab.
Common Name: Alder’s bow-fingered gecko Type locality: Beas River Basin, Punjab, India
Distribution: Nicobar Islands. Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least conceren.
Type Localilty: Nicobar Islands 54. Cyrtodactylus mansarulus Duda & Sahi, 1978
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern. Original Reference:
50. Cyrtodactylus fasciolatus (Blyth, 1860) Duda P L; Sahi D N 1978. Cyrtodactylus mansarulus
Original Reference: n. sp. from Jammu. Indian science congress proceedings,
65(3)(C) 1978: 211.
Blyth, E. 1860. Proceedings of the Society. Report of
the Curator. J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal xxix [1860]: 87–115 Common Name: Jammu bent-toed gecko
44 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type locality: Kumaon (Almora; fide Smith 1935). 60. Gekko verreauxi Tytler, 1865
Original Reference:
Conservation Status: None.
Tytler, R. C. 1865. Observations on a few species of
56. Geckoella albofasciatus (Boulenger, 1885) geckos alive in the possession of the author. J. Asiatic
Original Reference: Soc. Bengal, 33 [1864]: 535-548.
Boulenger, G.A. 1885. Catalogue of the Lizards Common Name: Andaman giant gecko
in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) I. Geckonidae, Distribution: Andaman Islands
Eublepharidae, Uroplatidae, Pygopodidae, Agamidae. Type locality: Andaman Islands.
London: 450 pp.
Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Boulenger’s Indian Gecko
61. Hemidactylus aaronbaueri Giri, 2008
Distribution: Western Ghats in Karnataka and Goa.
Original Reference:
Type locality: “South Canara” Giri, V.B. 2008. A new rock dwelling Hemidactylus
Conservation Status: None. (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Maharashtra, India.
Hamadryad, 32: 25–33.
57. Geckoella deccanensis (Günther, 1864) Distribution: Confined to the state of Maharashtra.
Original Reference: Type locality: On the rock cliffs near Ghatghar,
Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London Taluka Junnar, District Pune, Maharashtra, India
(Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp. Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Deccan ground gecko 62. Hemidactylus albofasciatus Grandison &
Distribution: Northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Soman, 1963
Type locality: “Deccan”, Bombay Presidency Original Reference:
Conservation Status: None. Grandison, A. G. C., and P. W. Soman. 1963. Description
of a new geckonid lizard from Maharashtra, India. J.
58. Geckoella jeyporensis (Beddome, 1878) Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 60: 322–325.
Original Reference: Common Name: White-banded broad-tailed gecko
Beddome, R.H. 1878. Descriptions of new reptiles Distribution: Restricted to Maharashtra.
from the Madras Presidency. Proc. Zool. Soc. London Type locality: Dorle Village, Rajapur Taluka,
1877: 685–686. Ratnagiri District, Maharastra.
Common Name: Jaipore ground gecko Conservation Status: None.
Distribution: India (Jeypore, Patinghe Hills) 63. Hemidactylus anamallensis (Günther, 1875)
Original Reference:
Type locality: Patinghe Hills (elevation: 4200 feet),
Jeypore, Madras Presidency. Günther, A. 1875. Second report on collections of
Indian Reptiles obtained bv the British Museum. Proc.
Conservation Status: None. Zool. Soc. London, 1875: 224–234.
Palot : Reptiles 45
64. Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, 1871 68. Hemidactylus porbandarensis Sharma, 1981
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Stoliczka, F. 1871. Notes on new or little-known Indian Sharma R C 1981. Hemidactylus porbandarensis, a new
lizards. Proc. asiat. Soc. Bengal, (Calcutta) 1871: 192– geckonid lizard from Gujarat, India. Bulletin of the
195. Zoological Survey of India, 4(1) 1981: 1–2.
Common Name: Giant south Indian gecko Common Name: Porbandar gecko
Distribution:
Andhra Pradesh (Badrachalam/ Distribution: Porbandar, Gujarat
Godavari)
Type Locality: Porbandar, Gujarat.
Type locality: near Badrachalam, Godavari Valley
Conservation Status: None.
Conservation Status: None.
69. Hemidactylus prashadi Smith, 1935
65. Hemidactylus gracilis Blanford, 1870
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Smith, M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, including
Blanford, W.T. 1870. Notes on some Reptilia and Ceylon and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II.
Amphibia from Central India. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 39: Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London, 440 pp.
335–376.
Common Name: Prashad’s gecko
Common Name: Slender day gecko
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh Distribution: Maharashtra, Karnataka and some part
of northern Kerala.
Type locality: southeastern Berar and Reipur, Central
Provinces. Type locality: Surroundings of Jog, northern Kanara
District, Bombay Presidency, India.
Conservation Status: None.
Conservation Status: None.
66. Hemidactylus gujaratensis Giri, Bauer, Vyas &
Patil, 2009 70. Hemidactylus reticulatus Beddome, 1870
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Giri, Varad B.; Aaron M. Bauer, Raju Vyas, and Sunny Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
Patil 2009. New Species of Rock-dwelling Hemidactylus from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
(Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Gujarat, India. Journal Sci., 1: 30–35.
of Herpetology, 43(3): 385–393. Common Name: Reticulated gecko
Common Name: Not available Distribution: Known from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Distribution: Gujarat, Maharashtra) Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Type locality: Vagheshwari Mata Temple, Junagadh Type locality: Kollegal, Karnataka State.
City, Junagadh District, Saurashtra Peninsula, Gujarat, Conservation Status: None.
179 m elevation.
71. Hemidactylus sataraensis Giri & Bauer, 2008
Conservation Status: None.
Original Reference:
67. Hemidactylus graniticolus Agarwal et al., 2011
Giri, Varad B.; Bauer, Aaron M. 2008. A new ground-
Original Reference: dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from
Agarwal, Ishan;Varad B. Giri & Aaron A. Bauer 2011. Maharashtra, with a key to the Hemidactylus of India.
A new cryptic rock-dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Zootaxa, 1700: 21–34.
Gekkonidae) from south India. Zootaxa, 2765: 21–37. Common Name: Not availalble
Common Name: Not available Distribution: Western Ghat part of Maharashta.
46 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
80. Barkudia melanosticta (Schneider, 1801) 84. Eurylepis poonaensis (Sharma, 1970)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Schneider, Johann Gottlob 1801. Historiae Sharma, R. C. 1970. A new lizard, Eumeces poonaensis
Amphibiorum naturalis et literariae. Fasciculus (Scincidae) from India. Rec. zool. Survey India, 62:
secundus continens Crocodilos, Scincos, Chamaesauras, 239–241.
Boas. Pseudoboas, Elapes, Angues. Amphisbaenas et Common Name: Poona skink
Caecilias. Frommani, Jena., 374 pp.
Distribution:
Found in certain localities in
Common Name: Barkuda limbless skink Maharashtra.
Distribution: Fouond in coastal areas of Andhra Conservation Status: None.
Pradesh, near Visakhapatnam
85. Eutropis andamanensis (Smith, 1935)
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Data Deficient.
Original Reference:
81. Dasia johnsinghi Harikrishnan et al., 2012
Smith, M.A. 1935. The fauna of British India, including
Original Reference: Ceylon and Burma. Reptiles and Amphibia, Vol. II.
Harikrishnan, S.; Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Anslem De Sauria. Taylor and Francis, London, 440 pp.
Silva, V. Deepak, Niladri Bhusan Kar, Rohit Naniw Common Name: Andaman Islands grass skink
2012. Phylogeography of Dasia Gray, 1830 (Reptilia:
Scincidae), with the description of a new species from Distribution: Andaman Island.
southern India. Zootaxa, 3233: 37–51. Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Barred Tree Skink. 86. Eutropis allapallensis (Schmidt, 1926)
Distribution: Found in Mundanthurai Kalakkad Original Reference:
WLS, Tamil nadu.
Schmidt, K.P. 1926. Amphibians and Reptiles of the
Type locality: Servalar, Kani Kudi (latitude N James Simpson-Roosevelt Asiatic Expedition. Field
8.65354°, longitude E 77.31387°; WGS 84 datum) in Mus. nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12: 167–173.
a riverine forest habitat, Mundanthurai plateau, Tamil
Common Name: Allapalli grass skink
Nadu, India.
Distribution: Peninsular India
Conservation Status: None.
Type locality: Allapalli Forest, nr. Chanda, Central
82. Dasia nicobarensis Biswas & Sanyal, 1977 Provinces.
Original Reference: Conservation Status: None.
Biswas, S. & D. P. Sanyal 1977. A new species of skink
87. Eutropis clivicola (Inger, Shaffer, Koshy &
of the genus Dasia Gray 1889 from Car Nicobar Isl. J.
Bakde, 1984)
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 74: 133–136.
Original Reference:
Common Name: Nicobar tree skink
Inger, Robert F.;Shaffer, H. Bradley;Koshy, Mammen;
Distribution: Nicobar Islands
Bakde, Ramesh 1984. A report on a collection of
Conservation Status: None. amphibians and reptiles from the Ponmudi, Kerala,
83. Dasia subcaeruleum (Boulenger, 1891) South India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 81(3): 551–
570.
Original Reference:
Common Name: Mountain skink
Boulenger, G.A. 1891. On new or little known Indian
and Malayan reptiles and batrachians. Ann. Mag. nat. Distribution: Found restricted to the state of Kerala.
Hist., (6) 8: 288–292. Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Blue-bellied tree skink 88. Eutropis gansi (Das, 1991)
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in Madurai Original Reference:
District at an elevation of 1,100–5,900 ft.
Das I. 1991. A new species of Mabuya from Tamil Nadu
Type locality:
Bodanaikanur, Travancore (= State, Southern India (Squamata: Scincidae). Journal of
Bodinaikanur, Madurai District, India), elevation 335 m. Herpetology, 25(3): 342–344.
Conservation Status: None. Common Name: Gansgrass skink
48 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Distribution: Restricted to the forests of Kalakkad 92. Eutropis tytlerii (Tytler in Theobald, 1868)
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. Original Reference:
Type locality: 2 km NW of Muthalar Road Cross off Tytler 1868. in Theobald, Cat. Rept. Asiat. Soc. Mus.,
Sengaltheri-Thalayanai road (towards Moolakasam), 1868: 23.
Kalkkad Tiger Reserve, Tirunelveli district, Tamil
Common Name: Tytler’s grass skink
Nadu State, India.
Distribution: Andaman Islands.
Conservation Status: None.
Conservation Status: None.
89. Eutropis innotata (Blanford, 1870) 93. Lipinia macrotympanum (Stoliczka, 1873)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Blanford, W.T. 1870. Notes on some Reptilia and Stoliczka, F. 1873. Notes on some Andamese and
Amphibia from Central India. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 39: Nicobarese Reptiles, with the descriptions of three new
335–376. species of lizards. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 42: 162–169.
Common Name: Blanford’s grass skink Common Name: Big-eared lipinia
Distribution: Southern and Central India. Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Conservation Status: None. Type locality: “South Andaman [...] Sandy beach in
Macphersons’s Strait”.
90. Eutropis nagarjuni (Sharma, 1969) Conservation Status: None.
Original Reference: 94. Lygosoma ashwamedhi (Sharma, 1969)
Sharma, R.C. 1969. Two new lizards of the genera Original Reference:
Mabuya Fitzinger and Riopa Gray (Scincidae) from Sharma, R.C. 1969. Two new lizards of the genera
India. Bull. Systematic Zool., (Calcutta) 1(2): 71–75. Mabuya Fitzinger and Riopa Gray (Scincidae) from
India. Bull. Systematic Zool., (Calcutta) 1(2): 71–75.
Common Name: Nagarjunasagar grass skink
Common Name: Ashwamedha supple skink
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh.
Distribution: India.
Type locality: “Vijaypuri South, near right-bank of R.
Conservation Status: None.
Krishna, lat. 16°35′N., long. 79°28′E., elevation 500 ft.”
(in Andhra Pradesh, south-eastern India). 95. Lygosoma goaensis (Sharma, 1976)
Conservation Status: None. Original Reference:
Sharma, R. C. 1976. Records of the reptiles of Goa.
91. Eutropis trivittata (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827)
Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 71(1975):
Original Reference: 149–167.
Hardwicke, Thomas & Gray, J.E. 1827. A synopsis of Common Name: Goan supple skink
the species of saurian reptiles, collected in India by Distribution: India
Major-General Hardwicke. Zool. J. London 3: 214–229
Conservation Status: None.
Mausfeld, Patrick & Andreas Schmitz 2003. Molecular
phylogeography, intraspecific variation and speciation 96. Lygosoma guentheri (Peters, 1879)
of the Asian scincid lizard genus Eutropis Fitzinger, Original Reference:
1843 (Squamata: Reptilia: Scincidae): taxonomic and Peters, Wilhem Carl Hartwig 1879. Neue oder
biogeographic implications. Org. Divers. Evol., 3: 161– Weniger bekannte Eidechsenarten aus der Familie
171. der Scinciden (Eumeces güntheri, Euprepes notabilis,
Ablepharus rutilus). Sitzungsber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde
Common Name: Three-lined grass skink
Berlin, 1879(3): 35–37.
Distribution: Central and Western India (Bombay Common Name: Günthe,s supple skink
district, Madras, Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,
Distribution: Peninsular India (Bombay Presidency,
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Matheran, Sholapur, Kurduwadi, Belgaum, N. Kanara,
Jharkhand, West Bengal, Northern Karnataka) Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra)
Conservation Status: None. Conservation Status: None.
Palot : Reptiles 49
97. Lygosoma lineata (Gray, 1839) with descriptions of many new genera and species. Ann.
Original Reference: Mag. Nat. Hist., (1) 2: 331–337 (287–293) [1838].
Gray, J.E. 1839. Catalogue of the slender-tongued Common Name: Rurk’s cat skink
saurians, with descriptions of many new genera and Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Anaimalai
species. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (1) 2: 331–337 (287–293) Hills, Travancore and Palni Hills
[1838]. Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Vulnerable.
Common Name: Lined supple skink
102. Ristella travancoricus (Beddome, 1870)
Distribution: Found in Karnataka and Maharashtra,
Original Reference:
between Poona and N Kanara
Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
Type locality: India
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
Conservation Status: None. Sci., 1: 30–35
98. Lygosoma pruthi (Sharma, 1977) Common Name: Travancore cat skink
Original Reference: Distribution: Foound restricted to the higher reaches
Sharma R C 1977. A new lizard of the genus Riopa of Southern most Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil
Gray (Scincidae) from Tamil Nadu, India. Records of Nadu
the Zoological Survey of India, 73(1–4) 1977: 41–42. Conservation Status: None.
Common Name: Pruth’s supple skink 103. Kaestlea beddomii (Boulenger, 1887)
Distribution: Tamil Nadu Original Reference:
Conservation Status: None. Boulenger, G. A. 1887. Catalogue of the Lizards
99. Ristella beddomii Boulenger, 1887 in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) III. Lacertidae,
Gerrhosauridae, Scincidae, Anelytropsidae, Dibamidae,
Original Reference: Chamaeleontidae. London: 575pp.
Boulenger, G. A. 1887. Catalogue of the Lizards Common Name: Beddome’s ground skink
in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) III. Lacertidae,
Gerrhosauridae, Scincidae, Anelytropsidae, Dibamidae, Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Nilgiri Hills
Chamaeleontidae. London: 575pp. and Travancore Hills)
Common Name: Beddome’s cat skink Type locality: “Travancore Hills”, S Western Ghats,
south of Palghat, Kerala, SW India
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats part in Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Karanataka (Tenmalai, Parambikulam Conservation Status: None.
Travancore, Sharavati River, N Kanara district) 104. Kaestlea bilineata ( Gray, 1846)
Conservation Status: None. Original Reference:
100. Ristella guentheri Boulenger, 1887 Gray, J. E. 1846. Descriptions of some new species of
Original Reference: Indian Lizards. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (1) 18: 429–430.
Boulenger, G. A. 1887. Catalogue of the Lizards Common Name: Two-lined ground skink
in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) III. Lacertidae, Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Nilgiri Hills,
Gerrhosauridae, Scincidae, Anelytropsidae, Dibamidae, Travancore Hills)
Chamaeleontidae. London: 575pp.
Type locality: “Madras”, at present Chennai, Tamil
Common Name: Günther,s cat skink Nadu, SE India (13°5′N, 80°17′E); restricted to
Distribution: High ranges of Souothern Western “Summit of the Nilgiris” by Eremchenko & Das 2004.
Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (Madura district,
Conservation Status: None.
Tenmalai, Travancore, Anaimalai Hills)
Type locality: Sirimallai Hills, Madura district 105. Kaestlea laterimaculata (Boulenger, 1887)
Conservation Status: None. Original Reference:
Boulenger, G. A. 1887. Catalogue of the Lizards
101. Ristella rurkii Gray, 1839
in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) III. Lacertidae,
Original Reference: Gerrhosauridae, Scincidae, Anelytropsidae, Dibamidae,
Gray, J.E. 1839. Catalogue of the slender-tongued saurians, Chamaeleontidae. London: 575pp.
50 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Side-spotted ground skink Vol.5. Roret/Fain et Thunot, Paris, 871 pp.
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Kerala and Common Name: Dussumier’s Litter Skink
Tamil Nadu). Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in the states
Conservation Status: None. of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
106. Kaestlea palnica (Boettger, 1892) Type loclailty: Malabar
Original Reference: Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern.
Boettger, O. 1892. Listen von Kriechtieren und Lurchen 110. Sepsophis punctatus Beddome, 1870
aus dem tropischen Asien und aus Papuasien. Ber. Tät. Original Reference:
Offenb. Ver. Nat., Offenbach, 29–32: 65–164.
Beddome, R. H. 1870. Descriptions of new reptiles
Common Name: Palni hills ground skink from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.,
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Palni Hills, 2: 169–176 [Reprint.: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Nat. Sci., London,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu); elevation up to 2134 m. 1(10): 327–334, 1940].
Type locality: “Kodaikanal in den Palni Hills”, Distribution: India
Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, SW India (10°14′N, Type locality: Darakondah, Golconda Hills, Madras
77°29′E). Presidency.
Conservation Status: None. Conservation Status: None.
107. Kaestlea travancorica (Beddome, 1870)
Original Reference: Suborder SERPENTES
Family TYPHLOPIDAE
Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of some new lizards
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med. 111. Typhlops pammeces Günther, 1864
Sci., 1: 30–35. Original Reference:
Common name: Travancore ground skink Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Travancore, (Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp.
Anaimalai and Palni Hills, up to 1525 m elevation. Common Name: Günther’s worm snake
Type locality: Travancore Hills, palnica: Type locality: Distribution: Tamil Nadu (Ramnad)
“Kodai-Kanal, Palni Hills, S-Indien”, Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern;
Conservation Status: None. Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
108. Scincella macrotis (Steindachner, 1867) 112. Typhlops thurstoni Boettger, 1890
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Steindachner, F. 1867. In: Reise der Österreichischen Boettger, O. 1890. Neue Schlange aus Ostindien. Ber.
Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, senckenb. naturf. Ges. , Frankfurt am Main, 1890: 297–
1858,1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. 298.
von Wüllerstorf-Urbair (Zoologie), Vol. 1, part 3 Common Name: Thurston’s worm snake
(Reptilien p.1–98). K. Gerold‘s Sohn/Kaiserlich-
Distribution: South India, some part of Kerala
Königl. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, Wien [1869 on
(Thrissur) and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris).
title page].
Type locality: “Nilgiri Hills, Brit. Ostindien” [South
Common Name: Large-eared Groound Skink
India].
Distribution: Nicobar Islands
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Type locality: Nicobar Islands Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: None. 113. Typhlops tenuicollis (Peters, 1864)
109. Sphaenomorphus dussumieri (Dumeril & Original Reference:
Bibron, 1839)
Peters, W. 1864. Über neue Amphibien (Typhloscincus,
Original Reference: Typhlops, Asthenodipsas, Ogmodon). Mber. k. preuss.
Duméril, A. M. C. and G. Bibron. 1839. Erpétologie Akad. Wiss., Berlin: 271–276.
Générale on Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. Common Name: Slender-necked Worm Snake
Palot : Reptiles 51
Distribuiton: Eastern Himalayas (Naga Hills, Assam) Ganges and south of Rajasthan, extends from Baroda
Type locality: “angeblich aus dem Himalaya” in west and Kolkata in east.
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Data Deficient. Type Locallity: The type locality given is “inconnue”
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. (French for unknown).
Remarks: Extremely rare snake and is known by few Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
examples. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Remarks: Known only from three type specimens. Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
121. Gerrhopilus andamanensis Stoliczka, 1871
Remarks: After Gans 1969, this species is known
Original Reference:
from the three types only.
Stoliczka F. 1871. Notes on some Indian and
Burmese Ophidians. J. asiat. Soc. Bengal, Calcutta, 124. Melanophidium wynaudense (Beddome,1863)
40: 421–445. Original Reference:
Common Name: Andaman worm snake Beddome, Richard Henry 1863. Further notes upon
Distribution: Found in the Andaman Islands in the the snakes of the Madras Presidency; with some
Bay of Bengal. descriptions of new species. Madras Quart. J. Med. Sci.,
6: 41–48 [Reprint: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Nat. Sci., London,
Type Locality: The type locality given is “Andaman 1(10): 306–314, 1940].
Islands.”
Common Name: Wynad shieldtail
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Distribution: Sothern Western Ghats, known from
Wayanad and Coorg hills (3000–5000ft)
Remarks: Extremely rare. Known only from type
specimens. Type locality: Cherambady in the Wynaud, S India
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern;
Family UROPELTIDAE Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Distribution: Soouthern Western Ghats, known from Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in Anamalais
hilly areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu (Anamalai Hills) and in Tamail Nadu and higher reaches of Kerala.
Goa (Telewady). Type locality: “Anamally forests; elevation 4,000 feet”
[Beddome, 1867]
Type locality: “Travancore, [...] under a stone in the
Muti-Kuli Vayal, a little valley on the Asamboo range Type locality: “Madura Hills”, S India. [Beddome 1886]
(4,500 feet elevation)” Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Least Concern;
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. 126. Platyplectrurus madurensis Beddome, 1877
123. Melanophidium bilineatum Beddome, 1870 Original Reference:
Original Reference: Beddome, R.H. 1877. Descriptions of three new snakes
Beddome, R. H. 1870. Descriptions of new reptiles of the family Uropeltidae from Southern India. Proc.
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med. Zool. Soc. London, 1877: 167–168.
Sci., 2: 169–176 [Reprint.: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Nat. Sci., Common Name: Madurai shieldtail
London, 1(10): 327–334, 1940]. Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in Palni hillis
Common Name: Yellow-striped shieldtail and high ranges of Kerala, 4000–6000ft.
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats. Hilly areas Type locality: ,,About Kodiukarnal on the Pulney
between Coorg and Nilgiri Hills (Peria and Tirrhioot Mountains (Madura district), 6000 feet elevation”
Peaks, West Mananthavady). [Beddome, 1877]
Type locality: near the summit of the Peria peak Type locality: Südindien (Pulney Hills, Madura)
in the Wynaad, elevation 5,000 feet, and also at a [Werner, 1925], [Deraniyagala, 1954]
similar elevation on the Tirrhioot peak” [ = west of Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Data Deficient;
Manatoddy, fide Smith 1943] Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Palot : Reptiles 53
127. Teretrurus sanguineus (Beddome, 1867) 130. Plectrurus canaricus (Beddome, 1870)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Beddome, R.H. 1867. Descriptions and figures of Beddome, R. H. 1870. Descriptions of new reptiles
five new snakes from the Madras Presidency. Madras from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
Quart. J. Med. Sci., 11: 14–16. [Reprint: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Sci., 2: 169–176 [Reprint.: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Nat. Sci.,
Nat. Sci., London, 1(10): 315–317, 1940.]. London, 1(10): 327–334, 1940].
Common Name: Western shieldtail Common Name: Kanara shieldtail
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Wynaad, Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in the state of
Anaimalai hills, Nilgiri, Coorg, between 3,000— 7,400 Karnataka in south Kanara and Mysore.
feet. Type locality: “South Canara, [...] on the top of the
Type locality: “Anamallay forests; 4,000 feet elevation Kudra Mukh, a mountain 6000 feet high” (elevation)
(“above Ponachi” in B. M. catalogue) [1867 Plectrurus Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
sanguineus Beddome]; “Manantoddy, in the Wynad, Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
elevation 2,700 feet” [Platyplectrurus hewstoni
Beddome 1876]; “Anamallays‘, S India [Plectrurus 131. Plectrurus guentheri Beddome, 1863
scabricauda Treobald]; “Monntains between Original Reference:
Travancore and Tinnerelli, above Paupanassum, 3000 Beddome, Richard Henry 1863. Descriptions of new
to 5000 leet elevation”, S India [Teretrurus travancoricus species of the family Uropeltidae from Southern India,
Beddome] with notes on other little-known species. Proc. Zool.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Soc. London, 1863: 225–229.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Common Name: Purple shieldtail
128. Brachyophidium rhodogaster Wall,1921 Distribuiton: Southern Western Ghats, in higher
Original Reference: reaches of Nilgiris.
Wall, F. 1921. A new snake of the family Uropeltidae. J. Type locality: “Walaghat on the Western slopes of the
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 28: 41–42. Neilgherries” (= Nilgiri Hills)
Common Name: Wall’s shieldtail Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, mainly found Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
in Palni Hills (Shembaganur, Kodaikanal and Palni) 132. Plectrurus perroteti Dum.Bibr. & Duméril, 1854
Type locality: “Palnai HiIls“, S India (probably vicinity Original Reference:
of Shembanagur). Duméril, A.M.C., G. Bibron & A.H.A. Dumeril 1854.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Erpétologie générale ou Histoire Naturelle complète des
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Reptiles. Vol. 7 (partie 1). Paris, xvi + 780 S.
129. Plectrurus aureus Beddome,1880 Common Name: Perrotet’s shieldtail
Original Reference: Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in Anaimalais
Beddome, R.H. 1880. Description of a new snake of and Nilgiri hills.
the genus Plectrurus from Malabar. Proc. Zool. Soc. Type locality: “dans le Nilgerrhy (Indes-Orientales)”;
London, 1880: 182. “Anamallay hills, 4,700 feet elevation”, S India
Common name: Golden shieldtail [Beddome,1886].
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats, in Wayanad Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
hills of Kerala. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Type locality: “Chambra mountain in Wynad, near 133. Uropeltis bicatenata (Günther, 1864)
Kalpatty—one under an old rotten log at 6,000 feet
elevation, the other under a large stone at 4,500 feet, Original Reference:
both in heavy evergreen forest” Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) (Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Common Name: Bicatenate shieldtail
Rare: Known only from very few specimens. Distribution: S India (Maharashtra, Pune District)
54 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type locality: “Wynad, Malabar, 3500 feet elevation”, 137. Uropeltis dindigalensis (Beddome, 1877)
S India [incorrect fide Mcdiarmid et al. 1999] Common Name: Dindigul shieldtail
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Distribution: Tamil Nadu State (Sirumalai Hills,
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Madura district, 4,000–5,000 feet)
Type locality: “Heavy forest on the Sirumullay hills,
134. Uropeltis ellioti (Gray, 1858) near Dindigul, at 4000—5000 feet elevation”.
Original Reference: Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Gray, J.E. 1858. On a new genus and several new Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
species of Uropeltidae in the collection of the British
Museum. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1858: 260–265. 138. Uropeltis beddomii (Günther, 1862)
Common Name: Elliot’s shieldtail Original Reference:
Distribution: Hilly areas of Gujarat (Dang district), Günther, Albert 1862. On new species of snakes in the
Western Ghats, part of Eastern Ghats (Andhra collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
Pradesh). (3) 9: 52–67.
Type locality: “Madras”, India; “Pulney hills, Common Name: Beddome’s shieldtail
Goleondah hills. [Silybura punctata Günther] Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Anaimalai Hills)
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Type locality: “Anamallay Hills”.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
135. Uropeltis nitidus (Beddome, 1878) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Original Reference: 139. Uropeltis macrorhynchus (Beddome, 1877)
Beddome, R.H. 1878. Descriptions of new Uropeltidae Original Reference:
from Southern India, with remarks on some previously
described species. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1878: 154– Beddome, R.H. 1877. Descriptions of three new snakes
155. of the family Uropeltidae from Southern India. Proc.
Zool. Soc. London, 1877: 167–168.
Common Name: Cochin shieldtail
Common Name: Anamalai shieldtail
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Anaimalai
Hills in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, 4000–5000 feet). Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Anaimalai
Type locality: “Anamallays, 4000 to 5000 feet». Hills, 3000—4000 feet).
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Type locality: “Anamlai Mountains, 4,000 feet
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. elevation”
Subspecies: Uropeltis macrolepis macrolepis Nat. Sci., London, 1(10): 315–317, 1940.].
(Peters,1862), Bombay shieldtail Uropeltis macrolepis Common Name: Red-spotted shieldtail
mahableshwarensis Chari, 1955, Mahableshwar shieldtail
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Anaimalai
Distribution: Northern Western Ghats from Gujarat and Nilgiri hills. 4,000–5,000 feet).
(Dangs) to Maharashtra (Phansad – near Supegaon,
Type locality: “Anamallay forests; 4,000 feet elevation”,
Mahabaleshwar, Pune, Koyna, Amboli , Lonavla)
S India
Type locality: “Ceylon?” [Sri Lanka]; “Mahableshwar, Conservation Status: IUCN Red List - Data Deficient;
Satara district, Bombay State”, lndia [mahableshwarensis Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Chari 1955]
145. Uropeltis rubrolineatus (Günther, 1875)
Conservation status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Original Reference:
Günther, A. 1875. Second report on collections of
142. Uropeltis ceylanica Cuvier, 1829
Indian Reptiles obtained bv the British Museum. Proc.
Common Name: Kerala shieldtail Zool. Soc. London, 1875: 224–234.
Distribution: Western Ghats from Goa (Castle Rock) Common Name: Red-lined shieldtail
to Travancore; Shevaroys. The commonest species in
its range. Distribution: Western Ghats from Travancore hills to
Bhimshankar (Maharashtra)
Type locality: “Ceylan”; “Anamallay Hills”. [Silybura
brevis Gunther]; “the Shevaroys [Shevaroy Hills], Type locality: “Anamallays, Tinnevellys”. [Silybura
4,500 feet elevation”, S India. [Silybura shortii rubrolineata Gunther]
Beddome]; “Ootacamund, Nilgherries, 7000 feet Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
elevation”. [Silybura nilgherriensis Beddome; “Wynad, Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Malabar, 3500 feet elevation”, S India. [Silybura
bicatenata Gunther]; “The Wynad, Malabar, 3500 146. Uropeltis phipsonii (Mason, 1888)
feet elevation”, S India. [Silybura nilgherriensis var. Original Reference:
annulata Beddome] Mason, George E. 1888. Description of a new earth-
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) snake of the genus Silybura from the Bombay
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Presidency with remarks on little known Uropeltidae.
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) 22: 184–186.
143. Uropeltis arcticeps (Günther, 1875)
Common name: Phipson’s shieldtail
Original Reference:
Distribution: Western Ghats, mainly from
Günther,A. 1875. Second report on collections of
Indian Reptiles obtained bv the British Museum. Proc. Maharshtra state, also reported from the high ranges
Zool. Soc. London 1875: 224–234. of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Distribution: Western Ghats south of Palakkad gap Type locality: “Bombay Ghats”, India
from sea level (Alleppey) to about 5,000 feet in the Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Travancore Hills; Tirunelveli Hills. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Type locality: “Tinevelly”, S India. [Silybura arcticeps 147. Uropeltis myhendrae (Beddome, 1886)
Gunther]; “High Wavy mountain, Madura district,
Original Reference:
elevation 5500 feet, S India.” [Silybura madurensis
Beddome]; “North Travancore near Peermede, . . . on Beddome, R.H. 1886. An account of the earth snakes
coffee estate at an elevation between 3000 and 4000 feet”, of the Peninsula of India and Ceylon. Ann. Mag. Nat.
S India. [Silybura nilgherriensis var. picta Beddome] Hist., (5) 17: 3–33.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List - Least Concern, Common Name: Barred shieldtail
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Distribution: Western Ghats south of the Goa Gap;
144. Uropeltis rubromaculatus Beddome, 1867 Nilgiris, Travancore; 2,000–4,000 feet)
Original Reference: Type locality: “South Travancore, on the Myhendra
Mountain”, S India.
Beddome, R.H. 1867. Descriptions and figures of
five new snakes from the Madras Presidency. Madras Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Quart. J. Med. Sci., 11: 14–16. [Reprint: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
56 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type locality: “Cardamon Hills, Travancore”, S India. Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats, in states of
Conservation Status: IUCN Redlist: Data Deficient; Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- Consrvation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act
IV. of 1972: Schedule- IV.
156. Rhinophis travancoricus Boulenger, 1892 160. Coluber gracilis (Günther, 1862)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Boulenger, G.A. 1892. Description of a new earth- Günther, A. 1862. On new species of snakes in the
snake from Travancore. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 7(3): collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist.,
318 [1892] (3) 9: 124–132.
Common Name: Travancore shieldtail
Common Name: Slender Racer
Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu
statesv(Travancore; Trivandrum, Pirmed, Ernakulam). Distribution:
India (Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Found at sea level up tp 4000ft. Madhya Pradesh)
Type locality: “near Trevandrum, at the 6th mile- Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
stone towards Vambayam» Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: None. 161. Coluber vittacaudatus Blyth, 1854
Original Reference:
Family BOIDAE
Blyth, E. 1854. Notices and descriptions of various
157. Eryx whitakeri Das, 1991 reptiles, new or little-known. Part I. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal
Original Reference: 22 [1853]: 639–655.
Das I 1991. A new species of Eryx (Boidae: Serpentes: Common Name: Darjeeling Racer
Squamata) from south-western India. J. Bombay Nat. Distribution: West Bengal.
Hist. Soc., 88(1): 92–97. Type locality: From “vicinity of Darjiling” (=
Common Name: Whitaker’s boa Darjeeling, 27°02′N; 88°16′E; West Bengal State,
eastern India). Known only from the type locality.
Distribution: SW India (Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Maharashtra) from sea level up to 2050ft.in Western
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Ghats.
Type locality: “Mangalore, Karnataka State, India” 162. Coluber bholanathi Sharma, 1976
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Original Reference:
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Sharma, R. C. 1976. Some observations on ecology
and systematics of Coluber bholanathi, a new species
Family XENODERMATIDAE of snake from India. Comp. Physiol. Ecol., 1(3): 105–
107.
158. Stoliczkia khasiensis Jerdon, 1870
Common Name: Nagarjunasagar racer
Original References:
Jerdon, T.C. 1870. Notes on Indian Herpetology. P. Distribution: Nagarjuna Hill, Andhra Pradesh.
Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 1870: 66–85. Type Locality: Nagarjuna Hill, Guntur district,
Common Name: Khase Red Snake Andhra Pradesh.
Distribution: Assam (Khasi Hills) Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Type locality: Assam
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) 163. Gongylosoma nicobariense (Stoliczka, 1870)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Original Reference:
Stoliczka, F. 1870. Observations on some Indian and
Family COLUBRIDAE Malayan Amphibia and Reptilia. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal,
159. Coelognathus helena monticollaris Calcutta, 39: 134–228.
(Schulz, 1992) Common Name: Nicobar stripe-necked snake
Common Name: Montane Trinket Snake Distribution: Nicobar Islands.
58 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type locality: Nicobar Islands (Nancowary Haven, 168. Oligodon travancoricus Beddome, 1877
Camorta Island).
Original Reference:
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Beddome, R.H. 1877. Descriptions of new reptiles
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
from the Madras Presidency. Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
164. Coronella brachyura (Günther, 1866) 1877: 685–686.
Original Reference: Common Name: Travancore kukri snake
Günther, A. 1866. Fifth account of new species of Distribution: Western Ghats south of Palghat gap.
snakes in the collection of the British Museum. Ann.
Mag. nat. Hist., (3) 18: 24–29. Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Common Name: Indian smooth snake
169. Oligodon erythrorhachis Wall, 1910
Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Gujarat and
Madhya Pradesh) Original Reference:
Type locality: “Poona” [= Pune, Maharashtra] Wall, F. 1910. A new snake from Assam (Oligodon
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) erythrorachis). J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 19: 923–924.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Common Name: Red–striped kukri snake
165. Oligodon juglandifer (Wall, 1909) Distribution:
Assam (namsang, jaipur district)
Original Reference: Arunachal Pradesh (Chessa – Papum Pare district)
Wall, F. 1909. Notes on snakes from the neighbourhood Type Loclailty: Chessa - Papum Pare district,
of Darjeeling. J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 19: 337–357. Arunachal Pradesh.
Common Name: Darjeeling kukri snake Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Distribution: West Bengal (Darjeeling district)
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) 170. Oligodon melaneus Wall, 1909
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Original Reference:
166. Oligodon woodmasoni (Sclater, 1891) Wall, F. 1909. Notes on snakes from the
Original Reference: neighbourhood of Darjeeling. J. Bombay nat. Hist.
Soc., 19: 337–357.
Sclater, W.L. 1891. Notes on a collection of snakes in
the Indian Museum, with descriptions of several new Common Name: Black kukri snake
species. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, LX: 230–250. Distribution: Darjeeling district, West Bengal.
Common Name: Yellow-striped kukri snake Type Locality: Darjeelilng
Distribution: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Type locality: Nicobar Islands Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) 171. Oligodon affinis Günther 1862
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Original Reference:
167. Oligodon venustus (Jerdon, 1853)
Günther, Albert 1862. On new species of snakes in the
Original Reference: collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting (3) 9: 52–67.
the Peninsula of India. Part 2. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxii: Common Name: Western kukri snake
522–534 [1853].
Distribution: Western Ghats, south of the Goa gap.
Common Name: Black-spotted kukri snake
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Distribution: India (Western Ghats south of Goa,
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Karnataka, Kerala, Southern Tamil Nadu)
Type locality: “Peninsula of India, on the West 172. Oligodon brevicaudus (Günther, 1862)
Coast.”; Extended to North Canara district fide Smith, Original Reference:
1943: 222.
Günther, Albert 1862. On new species of snakes in the
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. (3) 9: 52–67.
Palot : Reptiles 59
Common Name: Striped kukri snake Common Name: Andaman painted bronzeback tree
Distribution: Western Ghats, south of the Goa gap. snake
Type locality: “Cochinchina” without precise locality Distribution: The Andaman Islands
information. Type Locality: ‘‘Andamans’’
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
173. Oligodon nikhili Whitaker & Dattatri, 1982 177. Dendrelaphis chairecaeos (Boie, 1827)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Whitaker R; Dattatri S 1982. A new species of Boie, F. 1827. Bemerkungen über Merrem’s Versuch
Oligodon from the Palni Hills, south India (Serpentes: eines Systems der Amphibien, 1. Lieferung: Ophidier.
Colubridae). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 79(3): 630–631. Isis van Oken, 20: 508–566.
Common Name: Nikhil’s kukri snake
Common Name: Not available
Distribution: Palni Hills, Tamil Nadu
Distribution: Southern India
Type Loclailty: Shembaganur, Palni Hills, Tamil Nadu.
Type locality: Not known
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List - Data
Deficient, DD; Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
1972: Schedule- IV. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Remarks: Smith 1943 and subsequent authors
174. Dendrelaphis ashoki Rooijen & Vogel, 2011
synonymized Dendrelaphis chairecaeos with D. tristis.
Original Reference: Rooijen & Vogel, 2009 revalidated D. chairecaeos.
Vogel, Gernot and Johan van Rooijen 2011.
178. Dendrelaphis grandoculis (Boulenger, 1890)
Contributions to a Review of the Dendrelaphis pictus
(Gmelin, 1789) Complex (Serpentes: Colubridae)—3. Original Reference:
The Indian Forms, with the description of a new species Boulenger, George A. 1890. The Fauna of British India,
from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology, 45(1): Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia.
100–110. Taylor & Francis, London, xviii, 541 pp.
Common Name: Ashok’s bronzeback tree snake Common Name: Large-eyed bronzeback tree snake
Distribution: Souothern Western Ghats in Anamali Distribution: Western Ghats, south of the Goa gap,
hills. Travancore and Tinenvelly, Nilgiris, Wayanad hills.
Type Locality: Anamalais, India Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. 179. Dendrelaphis humayuni Tiwari & Biswas, 1973
175. Dendrelaphis girii Vogel & Van Rooijen, 2011 Original Reference:
Original Reference: Tiwari, K.K. & Biswas,S. 1973. Two new reptiles
Vogel, Gernot & Johan van Rooijen 2011. A new from the great Nicobar Islands. J. Zool. Soc. India,
species of Dendrelaphis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from 25: 57–63.
the Western Ghats, India. Taprobanica, 03(02): 77–85. Common Name: Nicobar bronzeback tree snake
Common Name: Painted Tree Snake Distribution: Nicobar Islands
Distribution: Western Ghats in Karnataka. Type locality: Great Nicobar Island
Type locality: Castle Rock, Belgaum district, Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Karnataka, India. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
180. Lycodon flavicollis Mukherjee & Bhupathy, 2007
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Original Reference:
176. Dendrelaphis andamanensis (Adderson, 1871)
Mukherjee, Debanik and S. Bhupathy 2007. A new
Original Reference:
species of wolf snake (Serpentes: Colubridae: Lycodon)
Anderson, J. 1871. On some Indian reptiles. Proc. Zool. from Anaikatti Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu,
Soc. London, 1871: 149–211. India. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 14(1): 21–26.
60 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Yellow-collared wolf snake Common Name: Travancore wolf snake
Distribution: Souothern Wester Ghats in Anaikatty Distribution: Western Ghats, as far north as
hills, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Matheran; also Known from some localities in Andhra
Type locality: Mangarai village located on the periphery Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa
of the Anaikatti Reserve Forest (600 m elevation; Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
11°05′N 76°47′E), Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Tamil Nadu State, southwestern India.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) 185. Dinodon gammiei (Blanford, 1878)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Original Reference:
181. Lycodon flavomaculatus (Wall, 1907) Blanford, W.T. 1878. Notes on some Reptilia from the
Himalayas and Burma. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal (2) xlvii:
Original Reference: 125–131.
Wall, F. 1907. Some new Asian snakes. J. Bombay Nat. Common Name: Sikkim false wolf snake
Hist. Soc., 17: 612–618.
Distribution: Sikkim and Dajeeling district of West
Common Name: Yellow-spotted wolf snake Bengal.
Distribution: Northern Western Ghats in Gujarat Type locality: “Cinchona plantations, [South-
and Maharashtra . Also known from Central India. Eastern] British Sikkim” [= Darjeeling]
Type locality: Dharwar, India. Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
186. Amphiesma nicobarense (Sclater, 1891)
182. Lycodon mackinnoni (Wall, 1906) Original Reference:
Original Reference: Sclater, W.L. 1891. Notes on a collection of snakes in
Wall, F. 1906. A new Himalayan snake (Lycodon the Indian Museum, with descriptions of several new
mackinnoni). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 29–30. species. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal LX: 230–250.
Common Name: Mackinnon’s wolf snake Common Name: Nicobar keelback
Distribuiton:
Western Himalayas (Mussoorie, Distribution: The Nicobar Islands
Almora, Muktesar near Nainital) Type locality: “Camorta in the Nicobars” Tropidonotus
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) nicobariensis Sclater, 1891: 241
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
183. Lycodon tiwarii Biswas & Sanyal, 1965 Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Original Reference: 187. Amphiesma pealii (Sclater, 1891)
Biswas, S. & Sanyal, D.P. 1965. A new species of wolf- Original Reference:
snake of the genus Lycodon Boie (Reptilia: Serpentes: Sclater, W.L. 1891. Notes on a collection of snakes in
Colubridae) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. the Indian Museum, with descriptions of several new
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of Calcutta, 18 (2): species. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal LX: 230–250.
137–141.
Common Name: Peal’s keelback
Common Name: Tiwari’s wolf snake
Distribution: Assam.
Distribution: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Type locality: Sibsagar district of Assam
Type locality: North Andaman Island.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
188. Amphiesma beddomei (Günther, 1864)
184. Lycodon travancoricus (Beddome, 1870)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London
Beddome, R. H. 1870. Descriptions of new reptiles (Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp.
from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med.
Sci., 2: 169–176 [Reprint.: J. Soc. Bibliogr. Nat. Sci., Common name: Beddome’s keelback
London, 1(10): 327–334, 1940]. Distribution: Western Ghats south to Mahabaleshwar.
Palot : Reptiles 61
192. Xylophis perroteti (Duméril et al., 1854) 196. Boiga wallachi Das, 1997
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Duméril, A.M.C., G. Bibron & A.H.A. Dumeril 1854. Das, I. 1997. A new species of Boiga (Serpentes:
Erpétologie générale ou Histoire Naturelle complète des Colubridae) from the Nicobar Archipelago. Journal of
Reptiles. Vol. 7 (partie 1). Paris, xvi + 780 S. South Asian natural History, 3 (1): 59.
Common Name: Striped narrow-headed Snake Common name: Nicobar cat snake
Distribution: Southern western Ghats in high ranges Distribution: Little and Great Nicobar Islands.
of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, normally above 1500 m
Type locality: Kopen Heat (= Dakoank), 06°48′ N;
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) 93°41′ E, Great Nicobar Island (= Sambelong), Bay of
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Bengal, India
193. Xylophis stenorhynchus (Günther, 1875) Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Original Reference: Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Günther,A. 1875. Second report on collections of 197. Psammophis longifrons Boulenger, 1896
Indian Reptiles obtained bv the British Museum. Proc.
Original Reference:
Zool. Soc. London, 1875: 224–234.
Common Name: Günther’s narrow-headed Snake Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the snakes in the British
Museum, Vol. 3. London (Taylor & Francis), xiv + 727 pp.
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu
(Anamalai to Tirunelveli). Common Name: Stout sand snake
62 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Castoe’s Coral Snake hills. Found between an altitude of 3000– 7870ft.
Distribution: Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra Type locality: “Cape of GoodHope?” and “Madras?”,
Type Locality: Goa restricted to “Madras Presidency” by Boulenger 1896:
550.
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
206. Naja sagittifera Wall, 1913
210. Trimeresurus gramineus (Shaw, 1802)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Wall, F. 1913. A popular treatise on the common Indian
snakes (part 2). J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 22: 243–259. Shaw, G. 1802. General Zoology or Systematic Natural
History. Vol.3, part 2. G. Kearsley, Thomas Davison,
Common Name: Andaman cobra London: 313–615.
Distribuiton: Andaman Islands Common Name: Bamboo pit viper
Conservtion Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act Distribution: Western Ghats from Dangs in Gujarat
of 1972: Schedule- II. to Tamil Nadu. Also reported from Eastern Ghats.
Type locality: Vizagapatam, India (based on Russell
Family VIPERIDAE 1796)
207. Trimeresurus macrolepis Beddome, 1862 Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Original Reference: Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Beddome, R.H. 1862. Notes upon the land and 211. Trimeresurus cantori (Blyth, 1846)
freshwater snakes of the Madras Presidency. Madras Original Reference:
Quart. J. Med. Sci., 5: 1–31.
Blyth, E. 1846. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 15: 377.
Common Name: Large-scaled green pit viper
Common Name: Cantor’s pit viper
Distribution: Westrn Ghats, south of the Palakkad
gap, at an altitude ranging from 2000- 7000ft. Distribution: Central Nicobar group of Islands.
Type locality: Anamallay Mountains at 6000 feet Type locality: Nicobar Islands.
elevation and Pulney Hills at 4000 ft elevation Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
[= Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, and Palni Hills, Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Kerala].
212. Trimeresurus andersoni Theobald, 1868
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Original Reference:
Theobald, William 1868. Catalogue of reptiles in the
208. Trimeresurus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1854) Museum of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. J. Asiatic Soc.
Original Reference: Bengal, Calcutta, 37 (extra number 146): (2), vi, 7–88.
Jerdon, T.C. 1854. Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting Common Name: Andaman pit viper
the Peninsula of India. Part 2. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxii: Distribution: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
522–534 [1853].
Type locality: given as “Andaman Islands” by
Common Name: Malabar pit viper Theobald 1876: 224.
Distribution: Westrn Ghats from Maharashtra to Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Tamil Nadu, altitude varying from 2000 to 7000 ft. Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Type locality: “all the forests of the West coast” [=
Western Ghats, SW India] 213. Trimeresurus labialis Fitzinger, 1867
Original Reference:
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. Steindachner, F. 1867. In: Reise der Österreichischen
Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857,
209. Trimeresurus strigatus Gray, 1842 1858,1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B.
Common Name: Horseshoe pit viper von Wüllerstorf-Urbair (Zoologie), Vol. 1, part 3
(Reptilien p.1–98). K. Gerold‘s Sohn/Kaiserlich-
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats in Nilgiri Hills,
Königl. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, Wien [1869 on
Anamalai Hills, Palni Hills, Shevaroy Hills and Ponmudi
title page].
64 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Nicobar pit viper South India: Trimeresurus huttoni sp. nov. J. Bombay
Distribution: Nicobar Islands. nat. Hist. Soc., 48 (3): 596.
Type locality: “Nikobaren” Common Name: Hutton’s pit viper
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection) Distribution: Western Ghats (Varushanad Hills,
Act of 1972: Schedule- IV. District of Madurai, State of Tamil Nadu)
Type locality: “The High Wavy Mountains, Madura
214. Tropidolaemus huttoni (Smith, 1949)
District, South India; elevation 5200 feet”
Original Reference:
Conservation Status: Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Smith, M.A. 1949. A new species of pit viper from Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
THREATS
The principal threat to the reptilian population in India properties and commercial purposes. Water pollution,
is due to habitat destruction caused by anthropogenic damming of rivers, channelization and sand mining,
activities. Forest fire, burning of ground vegetation for illegal methods of fishing are known to affect river turtle
agricultural practices and over-grazing of cattle and populations. Rapid urbanisation and developmental
uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, activities in the Ghats also poses threat to the fauna
and herbicides also disturb the habitats preferred by in general. Road kills and habitat fragmentation adds
reptiles. Yet another threat is the increasing demand significantly to the loss of reptiles from the fragile
for skin of reptiles and body parts for alleged medicinal forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author is grateful to Dr. K. Venkataraman, encouragement. Thanks are also due to Shri. Vivek
Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, Philip Cyriac, Veterinary University, Pookode, Wayand
and Shri. C. Radhakrishnan, Additional Director, for sharing some of the images of endemic reptiles.
Zoological Survey of India, Calicut for facilities and
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Murthy, T.S.N. 1994. An updated hand list of the reptiles of Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta, 250pp+ 42plates.
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B.R. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi. 1803) and Dendrelaphis schokari (Kuhl, 1820): revalidation of
Molur, S. & S. Walker. 1998 (Eds). Report of BCCP CAMP on Dendrophis chairecacos Boie, 1827 (Serpentes: Colubridae).
Reptiles of India. Zoo Outreach Organisation, Coimbatore, The Herpetological Journal, 19: 193–200.
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(Eds.) WWF- India, Kerala Chapter, Thiruvananthapuram. Venugopal, P.D. 2010. Addentum to An updated and annotated
Rajendran, M.V., 1985. Studies in uropeltid snakes. Madurai list of Indian lizards (Reptilia: Sauria) based on a review of
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Smith, M.A. 1931. The fauna of British India including Ceylon of the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Complex
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Vijayachelys silvatica (Henderson, 1912)
Indotestudo travancorica (Boulenger, 1907)
Photo: Umesh
Cnemaspis indica Gray, 1846
Xylophis captaini Gower & Winkler, 2007 Lycodon travancoricus (Beddome, 1870)
Photo: Umesh
Intruduction Order ANURA
Family BUFONIDAE
Of the 342 species of Amphibians known from
India, 230 species are considered endemic (67.25%). 1. Bufoides meghalayanus (Yazdani and
Amphibians have the highest endemicity of all Chanda, 1971)
67
68 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Distribution: Mizoram. Habitat: Among leaf litter on forest floor, under logs,
in rock crevices, under water tanks, in moist places
Status: Data deficient.
and stream sides.
10. Duttaphrynus nagalandensis (Mathew and Distribution: Thiruvanthapuram, Kochi, Ponmudi,
Sen, 2009) Neyar, Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, Indira
Gandhi National Park in Tamil Nadu. Up to 1800
Original Reference: meters above sea level.
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known Status: Near threatened.
amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind.,
Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates.
12. Duttaphrynus silentvalleyensis (Pillai, 1982)
Common Name: Nagaland Toad.
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Wokha, Wokha district, Nagaland. Pillai, R.S. 1982. Bull Zool Surv Ind., 3: 156.
Brief Description: Small-sized toad (length 48 mm). Common Name: Silent Valley Toad.
Head broader than long. Cranial ridges prominent.
Snout shorter than eye diameter. Tympanum small, Type Locality: Valiaparai Thodu, Silent Valley NP,
vertically elongated, about 53% of eye diameter. Upper Kerala.
eyelid warty. Parotoid glands elongate. Forelimb Brief Description: Mediumsized toads. Head with
moderately long. Fingers free. Hindlimbs moderately prominent bony ridges. Snout short and blunt.
long.. Toes webbed. Dorsum with various sizes of warts Tympanum small. First finger longer than second. Toes
and tubercles. Some warts and tubercles with pointed about half-webbed. Parotoids prominent and elliptical.
spines mainly on posterior side of body and limbs. Males with sub-gular vocal sacs.
Colour: Dorsum dark brown. Ventrally paler. Cranial Colour: Dorsum brownish-black. Ventrum creamish-
ridges white. Warts, tubercles and tips of digits not yellow.
black tipped.
Habit: Terrestrial.
Habit: Terrestrial.
Habitat: Leaf litter on forest floor.
Habitat: Found near human habitation. Distribution: Kerala.
Distribution: Nagaland. Status: Data deficient.
Status: Data deficient.
13. Duttaphrynus wokhaensis (Mathew and
11. Duttaphrynus parietalis (Boulenger, 1882) Sen, 2009)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia, Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known
Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind.,
Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 312. Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates.
Common Name: Ridged Toad. Common Name: Wokha Toad.
Type Locality: ‘Malabar’. Type Locality: Wokha, Wokha district, Nagaland.
Brief Description: Large-sized toad (length 100 mm). Brief Description: Large-sized toad (length 92 mm).
Prominent cranial ridges that incurve at the parotoid Body stout. Head depressed, much broader than long.
glands which are elongated and bordered with black. Tympanum large, vertically oval, about 65% of eye
Tympanum prominent. Cornified warts on dorsum, diameter. Parotoid glands elongated and perforated.
finger and toe tips. Feet partly webbed. Forelimb moderately long. Hindlimbs short. Toes
webbed. Dorsum fully covered with warts and tubercles
Colour: Reddish-brown dorsally with dark markings of various sizes. Eight pairs of large, round vertebral row
on the back. Limbs are strongly marked with brown. of warts from parotoid region to groin.
Sides are distinctly darker especially around tympanum
and parotoids. Venter brownish with darker marbling Colour: Dorsum brown. Cranial ridges white.
on the throat and breast. Tympanum brown. Ventrally lighter. Throat and chest
speckled with brown. Jaws white. Palmar tubercles
Habit: Terrestrial. white.
Deuti : Amphibia 71
Type Locality: Brahmagiri hills, Coorg, Karnataka. Colour: Dorsum beautiful brick-red in colour. Venter
brownish-black with vermiform patterns. Bright orange
Brief Description: Medium sized frog (SVL 45.0 on throat with spots of same colour on chest, belly and
mm), body rather elongate. Head slightly longer than underside of thighs. Flanks brownish but not spotted.
wide, tympanum rather indistinct; supratympanic
fold rather indistinct; parotoid glands absent; parietal Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling.
ridges absent; tongue elongate. Forearm shorter Habitat: Wet rocks on tree-shaded streams inside
than hand, tip of fingers enlarged, rounded, without moist evergreen forest.
distinct grooves, without lateral dermal fringe,
Distribution: River Kunthi and its tributaries in
webbing absent; Hind limbs moderately long, shank
Silent Valley, Kerala.
longer than thigh. Tips of toes enlarged, rounded,
webbing. Reduced. Skin of snout, between eyes, and Status: Vulnerable.
upper eyelids shagreened to sparsely granular, side of
head, back, flanks and dorsal part of limbs sparsely 16. Pedostibes kempi (Boulenger, 1919)
granular.
Original Reference:
Colour: Bright yellow-orange patches on abdomen. Boulenger, G.A. 1919. Descriptions of three new
Ventral side light brown with white irregular spots. batrachians from the Garo hills, Assam. Rec. Ind. Mus.,
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling. 16: 207–208.
Habitat: Moss laden boulders along streams in Common Name: Garo Hills Tree Toad.
evergreen forest. Type Locality: Above Tura, Garo hills, Meghalaya.
Distribution: Suganthagiri hills, Aralam Wildlife Brief Description: Small-sized toad-like frog (length
Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park in Kerala; 34 mm). Head moderately large, broader than long, flat
Kudremukh National Park, Kottigehara, Agumbe and above, distinct. Snout short, truncate at the end. A rather
Neria in Karnataka. Between 600–1000 meters above prominent, elliptic parotoid gland. Tympanum hidden.
sea level. Fingers moderately elongate, much depressed, with
Status: Endangered. feebly dilated, truncate tips, one-third webbed. Hind
limb short. Toes three-fourth webbed, the tips broadly
15. Ghatophryne rubigina (Pillai and rounded but not dilated. Upper parts rough with granules
Pattabiraman, 1981) and small round tubercles. Lower parts granulate.
Common Name: Mudigere Skittering Frog. (Ranidae: Anura) from Manipur, north-eastern India.
Hamadryad., 15(1): 16–17.
Type Locality: Mudigere, Karnataka.
Common Name: Ghosh’s Skittering Frog.
Brief Description: Head small, wider than long. Snout
slightly pointed. Nostril closer to eye than snout tip. Type Locality: Khugairk Reserve Forest, Manipur.
Tympanum large about 85% eye diameter. Fingers free,
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 60
gradually tapering to pointed tip. Distal part of thigh
mm).Head depressed, broader than long. Snout
thick. Toe tip small, slightly pointed. Web large, nearly
rounded. Pupil horizontal. Tympanum half the
reaching toe tip. Dorsum with small tubercles, supra-
eye diameter. Lower jaw with two tooth-like bony
tympanic fold present but not distinct. Ventrum smooth.
processes that fit in grooves on the upper jaw.
Colour: Dorsum dark brown with indistinct small Forelimb moderately long and stout. Fingers free
patches. Irregular markings on upper side of hind with rounded tips. Hindlimbs short. Toes with
limb. A conspicuous white band on posterior side of rounded tip, fully webbed. Dorsal skin rough with
thigh. No mid-dorsal stripe. Vocal sacs light grey. small tubercles. A glandular dorso-lateral fold
extends from eyes to posterior region of the body.
Habit: Aquatic.
Ventrally smooth.
Habitat: Small water bodies.
Colour: Dorsally light brown with dark irregular
Distribution: Karnataka. blotches. A dark stripe extends from posterior of eyes
Status: Data deficient. to shoulder. Ventrally pale.
Habit: Aquatic.
21. Euphlyctis aloysii Joshy, Alam, Kurabayashi, Habitat: Water bodies inside forests.
Sumida and Kuramoto, 2009
Distribution: Manipur.
Original Reference:
Status: Data deficient.
Joshy, S.H., Alam, M.S., Kurabayasi, A., Sumida,
M & Kutamoto, M. 2009. Two new species of the
genus Euphlyctis (Anura , Ranidae ) from Southern 23. Fejervarya andamanensis (Stoliczka, 1870)
India revealed by molecular and morphological Original Reference:
comparisions. Alytes., 26(1–4): 97–116.
Stoliczka, F. 1870. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 39: 139.
Common Name: Aloysius Skittering Frog.
Common Name: Andaman Fejervarya Frog.
Type Locality: Bajpe, Karnataka.
Type Locality: Port Blair, Andaman.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 31 mm
Brief Description: Medium-sized. Dorsum wrinkled
in males and 40 mm in females). Tympanum large.
with numerous folded. Tympanum conspicuous, half
Dorsum shagreened. Webbing full.
diameter of eye. Nostril nearer to snout tip than eye.
Colour: A pair of green elliptical patches behind eyes. Long hindlimbs and toes. Finger and toe tips swollen.
Green patches also on upper jaw and behind eye to Rudimentary webbing on toes.
shoulder. Dorsum brown coloured. Flanks with two
Colour: Dorsum brownish-grey, ventrum creamish-
cream-white stripes, interspersed with brown.
white.
Habit: Aquatic.
Habit : Semi-aquatic.
Habitat: Stagnant water bodies, ponds, tanks in
Habitat: Stagnant pools inside forests.
deciduous forest, plantation and human settlements.
Distribution: Andaman Islands.
Distribution: Bajpe, Adyar, Mangalore, Kachigebail,
Dandeli in Karnataka. Between 30–700 meters above Status : Least Concern.
sea level.
Status: Data deficient. 24. Fejervarya brevipalmata (Peters, 1871)
Original Reference:
22. Euphlyctis ghoshi (Chanda, 1990) Peters. 1871. Monatsber. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin.,
Original Reference: 1871: 646.
Chanda, S.K. 1990. A new frog of the genus Rana Common Name: Short-webbed Frog.
74 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Ranidae) in Central Western Ghats, India, with Ranidae) from Western Ghats, S. India. Bull Zool Surv
descriptions of four new cryptic species. Current Ind., 2(1): 39–42.
Herpetology., 26(2): 81–105. Common Name: Murthy’s Fejervarya Frog.
Common Name: Kudremukh Fejervarya frog. Type Locality: Naduvattom, 18 km from Gudallur,
Type Locality: Kudremukh, Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 45 mm). Brief Description: Medium-sized frogs (length
Snout pointed. Tympanum and supra-tympanic fold 27–35 mm). Tympanum fairly distinct. Forelimbs
distinct. Large ridges on the back, making a ‘V’ at the short and robust. Fingers and toes without discs. Feet
middle. half-webbed. A small inner metatarsal tubercle and a
small nodule-like outer metatarsal tubercle present.
Colour: Cross bars on upper and lower lips. Flank Skin on dorsum with interrupted folds and tubercles
black in colour. but on head smooth. Males with external vocal sacs.
Habit: Semi-aquatic. Anterior part of lower jaw and two triangular patches
on breast beset with small pearl-like papillae.
Habitat: Along the edges of small water bodies, pools,
Colour: Dorsum dark brownish with irregular
puddles and ditches. Open forest among grasses.
markings. A transverse dark band across the hind
Distribution: Kudremukh, Madikeri, Mudigere, margin of eye. An inverted V mark on dorsum near
Sagar and Dandeli in Karnataka. Altitude up to 1000 shoulder. A yellowish vertebral stripe present. Hind
meters above sea level. aspects of thigh variegated. Limbs with incomplete
transverse markings. Venter sepia brown.
Status: Data deficient.
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
29. Fejervarya mudduraja Kuramoto, Joshy,
Habitat: Under stones in a small stream in dense
Kurabayashi and Sumida, 2007
forest.
Original Reference: Distribution: Naduvattom, Andhra Pradesh.
Kuramoto, M., Hareesh Joshy, S., Kurabayashi , A Status: Critically Endangered.
& Sumida, M. 2007. The Genus Fejervarya (Anura:
Ranidae) in Central Western Ghats, India, with
31. Fejervarya mysorensis (Rao, 1922)
descriptions of four new cryptic species. Current
Herpetology., 26(2): 81–105. Original Reference:
Common Name: Muddu Raja Fejervarya Frog. Rao, C.R.N. 1922. J.Bombay nat Hist Soc., 28: 439–447.
Type Locality: Madikeri, Karnataka. Common Name: Mysore Fejervarya Frog.
Brief Description: Head wider than long, snout Type Locality: Shimoga, Karnataka.
more or less pointed, nostril nearer to snout tip than Brief Description: Medium-sized frogs with
to eye. Tympanum distinct, its diameter about 60% of interrupted longitudinal folds on dorsum, smooth
eye diameter. Fingers free, finger tips rounded. Hind venter. Finger and toe tips rounded, slightly swollen.
limb not much long, tibia longer than femur. Toe tips Hind limbs moderately long. Webbing of fourth
rounded. Inner metatarsal tubercle long, outer small. toe extends more than half way between distal and
Dorsum with many long and short dermal ridges. penultimate subarticular tubercles.
Colour: Dorsum dark brown, Pale streak from eye Colour: Dorsum brown or grey with a vertebral band
to tympanum to base of forelimb. Broad dark bands which may be narrow or wide. Limbs with complete
connecting upper and lower jaws. dark cross bars.
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
Habitat: Wetlands among roadside bushes.
Habitat: Small ponds and ditches.
Distribution: Chikmagalur and Madikeri, Karnataka.
Distribution: Karnataka.
Status: Data deficient.
Status: Data deficient.
30. Fejervarya murthii (Pillai, 1979)
32. Fejervarya nicobariensis (Stoliczka, 1870)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Pillai, R.S. 1979. A new species of Rana (Family
Stoliczka, F. 1870. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 39: 144.
76 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Nicobar Fejervarya Frog. long. Webbing of fourth toe extends less than half way
between distal and penultimate subarticular tubercles.
Type Locality: Nicobar.
Colour: Dorsum brown, grey or brick red; a V-shaped
Brief Description: Medium-sized. Dorsum with
marking between eyes which is interrupted with a
numerous folded. Tympanum conspicuous, half
vertebral band which may be narrow or wide. Limbs
diameter of eye. Nostril nearer to snout tip than eye.
with complete or incomplete dark cross bars.
Long hindlimbs and toes. Finger and toe tips swollen.
Rudimentary webbing on toes. Habit: Terrestrial and semi-aquatic.
Colour: Dorsum brownish-grey, ventrum white. Habitat: Paddy fields and open meadows.
Habit : Semi-aquatic. Distribution: Orissa.
Habitat: Road side ditches in forest. Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: Nicobar Islands.
35. Fejervarya parambikulamana (Rao, 1937)
Status: Endangered.
Original Reference:
33. Fejervarya nilagirica (Jerdon, 1853) Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
Original Reference: (B), 6: 391.
Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the
Common Name: Parambikulum Frog.
Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 522–534.
Type Locality: Parambikulum, Palakkad, Kerala.
Common Name: Nilgiri Frog.
Brief Description: Medium-sized. Dorsum with
Type Locality: Wynaad, Nilgiri, Kerala.
many wrinkles and folds. Tympanum conspicuous,
Brief Description: Small-sized frog. Snout blunt. half diameter of eye. Eyes large. Nostril nearer to snout
Tympanum distinct, more than half diameter of eye. tip than eye. Long hindlimbs and toes. Finger and toe
Eyes large. Strong supra-tympanic fold from eye to tips swollen. Rudimentary webbing on toes.
shoulder. Numerous ridges on the back. Large inner
Colour: Dorsum brown with red markings. Lips and
metatarsal tubercles present.
limbs are cross-banded.
Colour: Dorsum brown with brick red markings. Lips
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
and limbs are cross-banded.
Habitat: Ponds and pools in rain forest.
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
Distribution: Kerala.
Habitat: Ponds, poolsm canals and ditches.
Status: Data deficient.
Distribution: Nilgiris, Kerala.
Status: Endangered. 36. Fejervarya rufescens (Jerdon, 1853)
Original Reference:
34. Fejervarya orissaensis (Dutta, 1997)
Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the
Original Reference: Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 534.
Dutta, S.K. 1997. A new species of Limnonectes (Anura:
Common Name: Reddish Burrowing frog.
Ranidae) from Orissa, India. Hamadryad., 22(1): 1–8.
Type Locality: Malabar coast.
Common Name: Orissa Paddy-field Frog.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 45 mm).
Type Locality: Sainik School area, Bhubaneshwar,
Snout blunt. Tympanum distinct, more than half
Khurda district, Orissa.
diameter of eye. Strong supra-tympanic fold from
Brief Description: Medium-sized frogs (length 36–47 eye to shoulder. Large ridges on the back. Large inner
mm in males and 34–53 mm in females) with interrupted metatarsal tubercles present.
longitudinal folds on dorsum, smooth venter, wider
Colour: Dorsum brown with black and red markings.
inner metatarsal tubercle and a relatively more pointed
Lips and limbs are cross-banded.
snout than closely related Fejervarya species. Finger and
toe tips rounded, slightly swollen. Hind limbs moderately Habit: Semi-aquatic.
Deuti : Amphibia 77
Habitat: Laterite rock crevices along streams and Distribution: South Andaman.
water bodies and on forest floor.
Status: Critically Endangered.
Distribution: Widespread along Western Ghats and
the west coast. Up to 1500 meters above sea level. 39. Limnonectes khasianus (Anderson, 1871)
Status: Least Concern. Original Reference:
Anderson, J. 1871. A list of reptilian accession to the
37. Fejervarya sauriceps (Rao, 1937) Indian Museum, Calcutta, from 1865 to 1870, with
Original Reference: description of some new species. J. Asiatic Soc Beng.,
40: 12–39.
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science Common Name: Khasi Hills Frog.
(B), 6: 396.
Type Locality: Khasi hills, Meghalaya.
Common Name: Mysore Wart Frog.
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog. Body short
Type Locality: Wattekole, Coorg, Karnataka. and thick, legs of moderate length. Head short and
broad. Snout short and rounded. Nostrils directed
Brief Description: Medium-sized. Dorsum with
upwards and backwards, almost on the dorsal surface
many wrinkles. Tympanum conspicuous, more than
and in between snout tip and eyes. Eyes rather large
half diameter of eye. Eyes large. Nostril nearer to snout
and prominent. Tympanum small, faintly visible and
tip than eye. Long hindlimbs and toes. Finger and toe
half of eye diameter. Tongue rather small, chordate
tips swollen. Rudimentary webbing on toes.
and notched behind. Fingers quite free. The first and
Colour: Dorsum brownish-grey, ventrum white. second fingers of nearly equal length, about half as
Habit : Semi-aquatic. long as the third. The fourth finger about one-third
as long as the third. Thighs rather short. Tarsus and
Habitat: Small stagnant water bodies. foot almost as long as the thigh. A small shovel-shaped
Distribution: Coorg, Karnataka. metatarsal tubercle. Skin smooth throughout, no trace
of tubercles.
Status: Data deficient.
Colour: Uniform brown above, faintly barred on the
thigh. Spotted with brown on the sides, chin, thorax
38. Ingerana charlesdarwini (Das, 1998)
and under-surface of the limbs.
Original Reference:
Habit: Terrestrial.
Das, I. 1998. A remarkable new species of Ranid
(Anura: Ranidae) with phytotelmonous larvae from Habitat: Not known.
Mount Harriet, Andaman Island. Hamadryad., 23: Distribution: Khasi hills, Meghalaya.
41–49.
Status: Data deficient.
Common Name: Darwin’s Frog.
Type Locality: Mount Harriet NP, South Andaman. 40. Limnonectes mawlyndipi (Chanda, 1990)
Brief Description: Small size (length 26 mm), Original Reference:
slender body with narrow waist. Snout flattened, Chanda, S.K. 1990. Rana mawlyndipi, a new frog
obtusely pointed. Nostrils closer to snout tip than eye. (Ranidae) from Khasi hills, Meghalaya, India. J. Beng
Tympanum large, oval, supra-tympanic fold present. nat. Hist. Soc., N.S. 9(1): 44–48.
Fingers short, tips swollen. Tibia short, toes relatively
long. Tips of toes swollen. Webbing moderate. Tarsal Common Name: Mawlyndip Frog.
fold weak. Body shagreened but lacking tubercles. Type Locality: Mawlyndip, Khasi hills, Meghalaya.
Colour: Dorsum Mars brown, forehead chestnut, canthal Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 83 mm).
region buff. Upper surface of thighs Mars brown with Head broader than long. Snout slightly pointed,
vandyke brown bars, lips barred with dark brownish-olive. projecting beyond lower jaw. Nostril equidistant
Iris warm buff, pupil black. Ventrum cream. between eye and snout tip. Tympanum small but
Habit: Arboreal. prominent, less than half of eye diameter. Fingers long
and free of webbing. Finger tips dilated into small
Habitat: Water-filled holes of trees. discs. Hind limbs long. Toes long more than two-
78 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
third webbed. Toe tips dilated into prominent discs Common Name: Chilapata rain-pool Frog.
which are equal to those on finger tips. Skin smooth. A
Type Locality: Mendabari Beat, Chilapata Reserve
prominent fold extends from posterior corner of eyes
Forest, Jalpaiguri district, northern West Bengal.
above the tympanum to fore-limbs. Ventral surface
smooth. Brief Description: Small-sized frogs (length 18–21
mm in males and 23–25 mm in females). Body slender.
Colour: Dorsally deep brown to blackish with black
Head longer than wide and convex. Snout pointed and
canthral and temporal bands. Throat and ventral side
protruding. Nostrils round. Tympanum rounded.
of limbs spotted or marbled with black to brown.
Arm short, rather strong. Fingers short and thin.
Habit: Terrestrial. Tips of fingers bluntly rounded, not enlarged. Fingers
without dermal fringe, webbing absent. Toes long,
Habitat: Streams.
thin. Tips of toes rounded, not enlarged. Webbing
Distribution: Meghalaya. less. Snout between eyes, side of head, anterior part of
Status: Data deficient. back and flanks smooth. Posterior part of back with
indistinct, glandular warts. “Fejervaryan” line present.
Supratympanic fold distinct, from eye to above
41. Limnonectes shompenorum Das, 1996 shoulder. Forelimbs and tarsus smooth, shank with flat
Original Reference: glandular warts. Throat with small, dense glandular
Das, I. 1996. Limnonectes shompenorum, a new species warts. Rictal gland present.
of ranid frog of the Rana macrodon complex from Colour: Head and body greyish beige with light
Great Nicobar, India. J. South Asian nat Hist., 2: 127– orange mid-dorsal line. Tympanum dark greyish
134. brown with fine black stripe along tympanic fold.
Upper lip golden white. Throat light grey with some
Common Name: Shompen Frog. golden spots. Dorsal part of shank and foot beige with
Type Locality: Kopen Heat, Great Nicobar. grey brown bands. Ventral part of thigh greyish.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 71–79 Habit: Terrestrial.
mm). Robust body. Head large, longer than wide. Snout Habitat: Leaf-litter on forest floor in Chilapata
projecting, slightly rounded. Nostrils slit-like. Eyes large. Reserve Forest.
Tympanum large and oval. Fore limbs robust. Fingers Distribution: Jalpaiguri district, northern West
unwebbed. Hind limbs long. Inner metatarsal tubercles Bengal.
elongated, outer absent. Skin smooth dorsally, rugose Status: Data deficient.
with small warts laterally. Largest warts on the upper
eyelids. Ventral skin with transverse wrinkles. 43. Minervarya sahyadris Dubois, Ohler and
Colour: Dorsum of head and trunk burnt umber. Biju, 2001
Supra-tympanic fold, canthral ridge and upper and Original Reference:
lower lips barred with fuscous. Dusky brown band Dubois, A., Ohler, A. & Biju, S.D. 2001. Alytes., 19: 58.
across inter-orbital region between upper eyelids.
Throat dark brownish. Common Name: Sahyadri rain-pool Frog.
Habit: Terrestrial. Type Locality: Gundia, Karnataka.
Habitat: Forest path in evergreen forest. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 22 mm).
Snout pointed. Rictal gland present. Supra-tympanic
Distribution: Great Nicobar Island. fold from eye to shoulder. Webbing very less in feet.
Status: Least Concern. Colour: Mid-dorsum colour reddish-brown.
Habit: Terrestrial.
42. Minervarya chilapata Ohler, Deuti, Grosjean,
Paul, Ayyaswamy, Ahmed and Dutta, 2009 Habitat: Pools, puddles, leaf litter on stream sides,
water inundated agricultural fields and open forest.
Original Reference: Between 100–1000 meters above sea level.
Ohler, A., Deuti, K., Grosjean, S., Paul, S., Ayyaswamy, Distribution: Calicut in Kerala ; Gundia, Chikmagalur
A.K., Ahmed, M.F. & Dutta, S.K. 2009. Small sized Baba Budan hill ranges, Sagar, Jog, Dandeli and Castle
Dicroglossids in India with the description of a new rock in Karnataka.
species from West Bengal, India. Zootaxa., 2209:
43–56. Status: Data deficient.
Deuti : Amphibia 79
44. Nanorana gammii (Anderson, 1871) and robust. Toe tips weakly swollen but not disc-like.
Toes moderately webbed. Dorsum with large scattered
Original Reference:
conical tubercles. Upper surface of thighs with tubercles
Anderson, J. 1871. A list of reptilian accession to the arranged in linear series. Tubercles around cloaca.
Indian Museum, Calcutta, from 1865 to 1870, with Throat smooth. Lower part of venter smooth. Ventral
description of some new species. J. Asiatic Soc Beng., part of thighs smooth.
40: 12–39.
Colour: Dorsally unpatterned grey. Thighs with
Common Name: Gammii Frog. diffused bands. Upper eyelids yellowish-grey. Mandible
Type Locality: Darjeeling, West Bengal. light grey. Ventrum, including throat, pectoral region
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 68 and abdomen cream with greyish variegations.
mm). Snout short, moderately pointed and rounded. Subarticular tubercles dark grey.
Tympanum indistinct, half of eye diameter. Hind limb Habit: Semi-aquatic.
of moderate length. Tips of fingers and toes are slightly
swollen. A lateral fold along the first and fifth toes. Toes Habitat: Hill-streams in Mokokchung district
completely and broadly webbed, the web reaching the between altitudes of 1000–1400 meters.
tips of all the toes. Skin generally smooth but with very Distribution: Nagaland.
few small tubercles on the sides. A fold joining the
posterior angle of the eyelids. A supra-tympanic fold Status: Data deficient.
from the eye to the shoulder. A dorso-lateral fold from 46. Sphaerotheca dobsonii (Boulenger, 1882)
the eye to the groin.
Original Reference:
Colour: Olive-grey above, marbled on the back with
Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia,
blackish-brown. A black band between the eye and
Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British
the snout and another from the posterior angle of the
Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 32.
eye to near the shoulder. A black band between the
eyes. The posterior part of the lateral glandular fold is Common Name: Dobson’s Burrowing Frog.
yellowish. Forelimbs and fingers black spotted. Legs
Type Locality: Mangalore, Karnataka.
barred and marbled with brownish. Toes barred with
black and marbled with paler. Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (60 mm). Stout
Habit: Semi-aquatic. toad-like. Snout short. Nostril equidistant between
eye and snout tip.Tympanum prominent, two-third
Habitat: Besides hill-streams. diameter of eye. Back smooth with few glandular folds.
Distribution: Darjeeling hills, West Bengal. Strong supra-tympanic fold from eye to shoulder. Belly
Status: Data deficient. and lower surface of thigh are coarse. Limbs short.
Colour: Gray above indistinctly marked with dark
45. Nanorana mokokchungensis (Das and brown. Fine yellow vertebral line. Black stripe from snout
Chanda, 2000) through ear-drum till shoulder. Groin black speckled with
Original Reference: yellow. Limbs cross barred. Upper part of thigh black
spotted. Ventrum white, throat spotted with brown.
Das, I & Chanda, S.K. 2000. A new species of Scutiger
(Anura: Megophryidae) from Nagaland, north-eastern Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
India. Herp Jour., 10: 69–72. Habitat: Near water bodies in dry forest, plantations,
Common Name: Mokokchung Frog. scrub land and agriculture fields. Altitude up to 1000
meters above sea level.
Type Locality: Mokokchung, Nagaland.
Distribution: Mangalore, Jog, Kulgi in Karnataka.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 87 mm).
Pune in Maharashtra. Orissa.
Body robust, with a relatively narrow waist. Head broader
than long. Snout flattened and rounded, projecting Status: Least Concern.
beyond mandible. Nostril equidistant between eye and
snout tip. Eyes large. Supratympanic fold glandular, 47. Sphaerotheca leucorhynchus (Rao, 1937)
from back of eye to little over the fore limb. Tympanum Original Reference:
absent. Vocal sac single, median and subgular. Forearm
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
robust. Finger tips swollen but not dilated into discs.
from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
Fingers free of webbing. Thigh muscular. Tibia long
(B), 6: 392.
80 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Rao’s Burrowing Frog. shine. Upper and lower lip whitish. Dorsal side of
fore-arms and legs grey with darker transverse bands.
Type Locality: Wattakole, Coorg, Karnataka.
Ventral surface of belly and legs dark purple with small
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog. Stout toad- white spots on glandular warts. Iris greyish-blue with
like body. Snout short and rounded. Nostril equidistant vertical black pupil.
between eye and snout tip.Tympanum prominent, half
Habit: Terrestrial.
diameter of eye. Back smooth with few glandular folds.
Supra-tympanic fold present. Belly and lower surface of Habitat: Hill-streams.
thigh granular. Limbs short with enlarged metatarsal
Distribution: Eaglenest Sanctuary, Arunachal
tubercles.
Pradesh.
Colour: Gray above indistinctly marked with dark
Status: Data deficient.
brown. Fine yellow vertebral line. Black stripe from snout
through ear-drum till shoulder. Groin black speckled with 49. Leptolalax nokrekensis Mathew and Sen, 2009
yellow. Limbs cross barred. Upper part of thigh black
spotted. Ventrum white, throat spotted with brown. Original Reference:
Mathew, R & Sen, N. 2009. Description of a new
Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
species of Leptobrachium Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia:
Habitat: Near water bodies in breeding season. Other Anura: Megophryidae) from Meghalaya, India. Rec.
times remains mostly underground. Zool. Surv. Ind., 109(3): 91–107.
Distribution: Coorg, Karnataka. Common Name: Nokrek Megophryid Frog.
Status: Data deficient. Type Locality: Didari Kchibama, Nokrek Biosphere
Reserve, East Garo hills district, Meghalaya.
Family: MEGOPHRYIDAE Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length
26–35 mm). Head broader than long but narrower
48. Leptobrachium bompu Sondhi & Ohler, 2011 than body. Tympanum sunk, vertically oval, reduced
and less than half the eye diameter. A pair of tubercles
Original Reference:
present on either side of tympanum. Supratympanic
Sondhi, S & Ohler, A. 2011. A blue-eyed Leptobrachium fold distinct. Eyes bulging. Pupil vertical. Nostril
(Anura: Megophryidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, nearer to snout tip than to eye. A pair of axillary
India. Zootaxa., 2912: 28–36. and femoral glands. Dorsum with tubercles and a
Common Name: Blue-eyed Megophryid Frog. few longitudinal folds. Paired ventrolateral gland
present. A prominent fold of skin overhanging the
Type Locality: Bompu, Eaglenest Sanctuary, vent. Forelimbs slender and moderate. Fore-arm
Arunachal Pradesh. longer than hand. Fingers free of web. Finger tips
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 47 rounded, slightly swollen but not disc-like. Hind
mm). Body rounded. Head large, flat and wider limbs relatively long. Tibia shorter than femur but
than long. Snout rounded, not protruding. Nostrils equals length of foot. Femur with tubercles of various
rounded, slightly closer to eye than to snout tip. Pupil sizes. Toes webbed at base.
oval and vertical. Tympanum indistinct. Tongue large Colour: Dorsum brownish with dark irregular
and emarginate. Supratympanic fold prominent from markings all over, powdered with white. A triangular
eye to forelimb. Arm long and thin, fore-arm about as mark between eyes followed by an inverted ‘Y’ shaped
long as hand. Tips of fingers and toes rounded, slightly mark. Tympanum dark coloured. A pair of reddish
enlarged, without grooves. Fingers with thick dermal tubercles anterior to tympanum. Upper jaw with black
fringes, webbing absent. Toes short and thin. Snout, bands. Upper part of eye reddish-orange. Iris with fine
sides of head, back and flank covered with fine ridges. dark network or reticulation. Belly creamish, laterally
Dorsal parts of limbs covered with longitudinal folds. bordered with blackish spots and a line of white
Ventral parts of head, body and limbs covered with glandular tubercles. Vent below and above with a pair
dense, small glandular warts, coarser on throat. Small of reddish warts. Forelimbs with cross-bands. Hind
white femoral gland, on posterior shank. Spines on limbs with black bands.
upper lip absent in adult males. Habit: Terrestrial.
Colour: Dorsum and head greyish-brown getting Habitat: Stream inside reserve forest with less
lighter on flanks. Sides of head and body with brownish sunshine.
Deuti : Amphibia 81
back and flanks scattered with numerous small to 54. Xenophrys zunhebotoensis Mathew and
medium sized granules and tubercles. Throat, ventral Sen, 2007
surface of body and limbs smooth. A fine “V” shaped
Original Reference:
parietoscapular ridge present. On mid-dorsum an
additional raised “W” shaped ridge is distinct. Mathew, R & Sen, N. 2007. Description of two
new species of Xenophrys (Amphibia: Anura:
Colour: Dorsally slightly more brown than grey. Megophryidae) from North-east India. Cobra., 1(2):
Upper surfaces of hind limbs and posterior dorsum 18–25.
with white asperities. “X” marking on dorsum and
white or yellow upper lip stripe absent. Groin of males Common Name: Zunheboto Horned Frog.
greyish-white. Type Locality: Nguti, Zunheboto, Zunheboto district,
Habit: Terrestrial. Nagaland.
Habitat: Moist leaf litter in mature secondary forests. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 39 mm).
Head broader than long. Snout slightly upturned,
Distribution: Assam and Meghalaya. obtusely pointed. Supratympanic fold distinct.
Status: Data deficient. Forelimbs slender, fingers free of webbing with small
swollen discs. Hind limbs slender, toes free of webbing
with small swollen discs, smaller than that on fingers.
53. Xenophrys serchhipii Mathew and Sen, 2007
Dorsum smooth with few ridges and warts. Flanks
Original Reference: with small round tubercles. Axial and femoral glands
Mathew, R & Sen, N. 2007. Description of two prominent, smaller in males.
new species of Xenophrys (Amphibia: Anura: Colour: Dorsum slaty brown above, a dark triangular
Megophryidae) from North-east India. Cobra., 1(2): patch between the eyes. A broad incomplete ‘V’
18–25. shaped ridge behind the eyes, another similar inverted
Common Name: Serchhip Megophryid Frog. ‘V’ shaped ridge towards the posterior side thereby
imparting an indistinct hour-glass pattern on the back.
Type Locality: Serchhip, Serchhip district, Mizoram. Two parallel lines on either side between the ‘V’ shaped
Brief Description: Medium-sized toad-like frog ridges. Supratympanic fold white. Ventrally throat and
(length 37 mm). Head broader than long. Nostril chest of the same colour as the dorsum. Legs with dark
prominent, closer to snout tip than eye. Upper eyelid bands dorsally. Abdomen, thighs and shank off white
with two prominent warts. Tympanum large, oval, with light round blotches.
depressed, bordered above by a supra-tympanic Habit: Terrestrial.
fold. Supra-tympanic fold prominent. Head with
various sizes of round warts. Forelimb moderate. Habitat: Torrential mountain stream with rocks and
Fingers long and free of webbing. Finger tips with boulders.
small discs. Hind limb moderate. Toe tips with Distribution: Zunheboto district, Nagaland.
small discs. Toes free with rudiment of web between
second and third toes. Dorsum below the tympanic Status: Data deficient.
region with longitudinal ridges and small, round
and conical warts of varied sizes, these are more Family: MICRIXALIDAE Dubois, Ohler and Biju
on the lateral side. A pair of axillary and femoral
glands. 55. Micrixalus elegans (Rao, 1937)
Colour: Dorsum dark brown or black, without the Original Reference:
usual dark triangular mark between the eyes. A ‘V’
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
shaped ridge dorsally between eye and shoulder level.
from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
Jaws with white cross bars, that on lower jaw broader.
(B), 6: 407.
Legs with dark bands. Belly and ventral side of femur
and tibia whitish. Common Name: Elegant Stream Frog.
Habit: Terrestrial. Type Locality: Kempholey, Hassan, Karnataka.
Habitat: Burrow in the ground. Brief Description: Small frog with indistinct tympanum
and few dorso-lateral glandular folds. Fingers and toes
Distribution: Mizoram.
with small discs bearing circum-marginal grooves.
Status: Data deficient. Fingers free, toes two-third webbed. Skin smooth on the
Deuti : Amphibia 83
dorsum with a few scattered tubercles on the upper side Common Name: Gadgil’s Stream Frog.
of tibia. A weak supra-tympanic fold present.
Type Locality: Pamba & Moozhiar forests of
Colour: Dorsum light gray with irregular dark Sabarigiri, Kerala.
markings. A dark band on either side from eye to
Brief Description: Small frogs (length 15–19 mm).
groin. Arms and legs with darker bars dorsally. Throat
Head as broad as long. Tympanum fairly distinct. Pupil
and breast marbled.
horizontally oval. Forelimbs short, moderately slender.
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling. Fingers free, tips dilated into small discs with circular
Habitat: Along hill streams. groove. Feet sparsely webbed with elongated inner and
small outer metatarsal tubercle. Dorso-lateral glandular
Distribution : Hassan, Karnataka. folds absent. A weak supra-tympanic fold present. Skin
Status: Data deficient. shagreened above with a few scattered granules on flank.
Colour: Dorsum light grayish to dark with irregular
56. Micrixalus fuscus (Boulenger, 1882) dark markings, occasionally spotted or marbled. A dark
band on either side backwards from eye to groin. Arms
Original Reference:
and legs with darker patches and bars dorsally. Throat
Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia, and breast marbled with sepia.
Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British
Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 96. Habit: Terrestrial.
Common Name: Dusky Stream Frog. Habitat: Damp litter of the forest floor near streams
inside forests.
Type Locality: Thiruvanthapuram, Anamalai,
Malabar and North Canara, southern India. Distribution: Pamba & Moozhiar forests of Sabarigiri,
Kerala.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 30 mm).
Snout pointed, projecting beyond mouth. Strong fold Status: Endangered.
from eye to shoulder. Longitudinal fold from eye to
vent. The extent of webbing is variable. The toes are 58. Micrixalus kottigeharensis (Rao, 1937)
three-fourth webbed. The fingers and toes bear disks.
Thin fold of skin along the sides. Original Reference:
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
Colour: Dorsum brown with reticulated light gray from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
pattern. Venter yellowish tan with or without brown (B), 6: 408.
reticulations. A yellowish-white band on posterior
part of thigh. Webbing on feet, bluish-grey. Males have Common Name: Kottigehar Stream Frog.
cream coloured nuptial pads.
Type Locality: Kottigehar, Karnataka.
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling.
Brief Description: Small frogs. Head longer than
Habitat: Along hill streams, on rocks, leaf litter and broad. Tympanum distinct. Pupil oval. Forelimbs
stones crevices in moist evergreen forest. short, moderately slender. Fingers free, tips dilated
Distribution: Thiruvanthapuram, Sholayar Reserve into small discs. Feet sparsely webbed with metatarsal
Forest, Silent Valley National Park in Kerala; Kalakkad- tubercles. Dorso-lateral glandular folds absent. A weak
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Indira Gandhi supra-tympanic fold present. Skin with a few scattered
National Park in Tamil Nadu. Between 200–1000 granules on flank.
meters altitude. Colour: Dark brown dorsum. A dark band through
Status: Near Threatened. the eyes. Venter yellow, throat marbled. Limbs cross-
barred. Inner part of thigh pinkish.
57. Micrixalus gadgili Pillai and Pattabiraman, 1990
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling.
Original Reference:
Habitat: Shaded small forest brooks.
Pillai, R.S. & Pattabiraman, R. 1990. Amphibians from
Sabarigiri Forest, Western Ghats, Kerala, including a Distribution: Kottigehar, Karnataka.
new species of Micrixalus. Rec. zool Surv Ind., 86(2):
Status: Critically Endangered.
383–390.
84 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 34 mm). Common Name: Pink-thighed Stream frog.
Snout pointed, projecting beyond mouth. Strong Type Locality: ‘Western forests among dead leaves’,
fold from eye to shoulder. Fingers long and slender, south India.
unwebbed. Toes are three-fourth webbed. Enlarged
disc on toe tips and on finger tips. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 30 mm).
Snout pointed, projecting beyond mouth. Strong fold
Colour: Dorsum pale brown. A dark band runs from eye to shoulder. Longitudinal fold from eye to
through the eyes. Venter yellow. Limbs cross-barred. vent. Toes are three-fourth webbed. Enlarged disc on
Groin and inner part of thighs pinkish-red. toe tips and on finger tips.
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling. Colour: Dark brown with paler sides. A dark band
Habitat: Forest streams. runs through the eyes. Venter yellow with a series
of small dark markings that are dense on the throat.
Distribution: Kottigehar, Karnataka. Limbs cross-barred. Groin and inner part of thigh
Status: Data deficient. orange or pink in colour. Toe tips and finger tips pink
in colour.
60. Micrixalus nudis Pillai, 1978 Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling.
Original Reference: Habitat: Near hill-streams, evergreen forest floor
Pillai, R.S. 1978. A new frog of the genus Micrixalus with leaf litter.
from Wynad, S. India. Proc Ind Acad Sci., 87(B6): 173– Distribution: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Eravikulum
177. National Park in Kerala; Kalakkad-Mundanthurai
Common Name: Wynaad Smooth Stream Frog. Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Between 300–1400
meters above sea level.
Type Locality: 8 km north of FRH, Chedleth,
Kurichiat Reserve Forest, Wynaad, Kerala. Status: Vulnerable.
Brief Description: Small frog with indistinct
62. Micrixalus saxicola (Jerdon, 1853)
tympanum, dorso-lateral glandular folds and
lingual papillae absent. Fingers and toes with small Original Reference:
discs bearing circum-marginal grooves. Fingers Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the
free, toes three-fourth webbed. Skin smooth above Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 533.
and below with a few scattered tubercles on the
upper side of tibia. A weak supra-tympanic fold Common Name: Small Stream Frog.
present. Type Locality: Malabar and Waynad, Kerala.
Colour: Dorsum greyish brown without markings. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 46 mm).
A band of chocolate brown from hind eye spreading Snout pointed, projecting beyond mouth. Fold from
out to the flank through upper half of tympanum and eye to shoulder. No longitudinal fold. Hind limbs
arching above the arm. Arms with a few patches or very long. Dilated toe and finger tips. Full webbing
bars. Legs with dark cross bars dorsally. Throat and in feet.
breast mottled and marbled with brown. Rest of venter
white. Colour: Slate-brown to almost black. A number of
black dots and stripes on the back. Venter white. The
Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling. throat and breast are dark brownish. Blue-grey vocal
Habitat: Well-shaded small forest brook inside deep sacs.
rainforest strewn with stones and boulders. Habit: Terrestrial but stream-dwelling.
Deuti : Amphibia 85
Habitat: Amidst streams, waterfalls, on the rocky Habit : Stream-dwelling but terrestrial.
surfaces along stream sides in dense evergreen forest.
Habitat: On boulders besides streams inside
Distribution: Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger rainforests.
Reserve in Tamil Nadu; Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in
Distribution: Kottigehar, Karnataka.
Kerala; Coorg, Charmadi, Kudremukh, Agumbe and
Kathalekan in Karnataka. Between 400–1400 meters Status: Data deficient.
above sea level.
Status: Vulnerable. 65. Micrixalus thampii Pillai, 1981
Original Reference:
63. Micrixalus silvaticus (Boulenger, 1882) Pillai, R.S. 1981. Two new species of Amphibia from
Original Reference: Silent Valley, S. India. Bull Zool Surv Ind., 3(3): 153–
158.
Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia,
Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British Common Name: Thampi’s Stream Frog.
Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 469. Type Locality: Madiri Mavam Thodu, tributary of
Common Name: Forest Stream Frog. Kunthi river, Silent Valley NP, Kerala.
Type Locality: Malabar. Brief Description: Small frogs with fairly distinct
tympanum. Head as long as broad. Snout sub-acute.
Brief Description: Small frogs with distinct
Pupil horizontal. Dorso-lateral glandular folds present
tympanum. Head as long as broad. Snout sub-acute.
but not complete. Fingers free, tips dilated into discs
Pupil horizontal. Dorso-lateral glandular folds present.
Toes half to three-fourth webbed with digital discs
Fingers free, tips dilated into discs. Toes half webbed
bearing circum-marginal grooves. Skin smooth above
with digital discs.
with few small granules which are devoid of minute
Colour: Dorsum grayish brown without markings. spines. Dorsal side of tibia with larger granules.
Dorsal sides of hind legs with brown cross bands. Tympanic fold faint.
Venter white.
Colour: Dorsum grayish brown without much
Habit : Terrestrial but stream-dwelling. markings. Flank below the dorso-lateral fold black
which encloses the darkish tympanum. Upper sides
Habitat: on the rocky surfaces of streams
of hind legs with narrow brown cross bands. Hind
andwaterfalls.
surface of thigh black with a narrow whitish oblique
Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu. line. Venter white.
Status: Data deficient. Habit: Stream-dwelling but terrestrial.
Habitat: Well shaded streams in rainforests.
64. Micrixalus swamianus (Rao, 1937)
Distribution: Silent Valley NP, Kerala.
Original Reference:
Status: Data deficient.
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
(B), 6: 409. Family: MICROHYLIDAE
Common Name: Ramaswami’s Stream Frog.
66. Kaloula assamensis Das, Sengupta, Ahmed and
Type Locality: Kottigehar, Karnataka. Dutta, 2004
Brief Description: Small frog with distinct tympanum Original Reference:
and dorso-lateral glandular folds.. Fingers and toes Das, I., Sengupta, S., Ahmed, M.F & Dutta, S.K. 2004.
with small discs bearing circum-marginal grooves. A new species of Kaloula (Anura: Microhylidae) from
Fingers free, toes two-third webbed. North-eastern India. Hamadryad., 29(1): 101–109.
Colour: Dorsum light grayish with irregular dark Common Name: Assam Painted Frog.
markings, occasionally spotted or marbled. Arms and
legs with darker patches and bars dorsally. Throat and Type Locality: Majbat, Sirajuli & Nameri WLS &
breast marbled. Orang NP, Assam and Pakke TR, Arunachal Pradesh.
86 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 38 mm). Type Locality: Mayabunder, North Andaman.
Body rounded. Head small, broader than long. Snout
Brief Description: Small frog (length 22 mm).
rounded. Tympanum absent. Eyes small with rounded
Moderately stout body. Eyes with circular pupil.
pupil. Supra-tympanic fold distinct. Fingers free of
Tympanum hidden. Tongue oval and entire, free
web. Fingers tips dilated. Toes about half-webbed.
behind. Snout rounded. Fingers devoid of discs at tip
Toe tips slightly rounded. A pointed inner and a oval
but toes with distinct discs, webbed at base and with
outer metatarsal tubercle present. Dorsum granular.
two small metatarsal tubercles, outer one round and
Abdomen coarsely granular.
inner elongated. Skin smooth above. Throat, chest and
Colour: Brown dorsally, with a bright yellow vertebral part of belly rough.
stripe. Dark-edged, broad dark brown lateral stripes
Colour: Dorsum brownish grey with two dark patches
laterally. Upper surfaces of fore and hind limbs pale
on either side of the mid-dorsal line at shoulder level.
brown. Ventrum cream coloured.
Another pair of broad bracket-shaped patches behind
Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing). it. A lateral band on either side extending from tip of
snout almost to groin. Upper sides of fore and hind
Habitat: Grasslands and Terai forests.
limbs with dark patches.
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and
Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
northern West Bengal.
Habitat: Beside wetlands on islands.
Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: North Andaman Island.
67. Melanobatrachus indicus Beddome, 1878 Status: Data deficient.
Original Reference:
Beddome, R.H. 1878. Description of a new batrachians 69. Microhyla sholigari Dutta and Ray, 2000
from southern India, belonging to the family Original Reference:
Phryniscidae. Proc Zool Soc London. xviii + 541 pp. Dutta, S.K. & Ray, P. 2000. Microhyla sholigari, a new
Common Name: Black Microhylid Frog. species of Microhylid frog (Anura: Microhylidae) from
Karnataka, India. Hamadryad., 25(1): 38–44.
Type Locality: Anamalai hills, Tamil Nadu.
Common Name: Sholiga’s narrow-mouthed frog.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 30 mm).
Body slender. Pupil circular. Fingers free, toes with Type Locality: Doddasampige, Biligirirangan hills,
minimum webbing. Absence of disk on tips of fingers Chamrajanagar district, Karnataka.
and toes. Skin pustular above but smooth below. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 12
Colour: Black with bright scarlet patches on the mm). Body elongated with narrow waist. Head
underside of thighs and pectoral region. Small blue broader than long. Finger and toe tips dilated with
spots on the sides and belly and a few on dorsum. a distinct median longitudinal groove dorsally.
Webbing betwen proximal and distal subarticular
Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing). tubercles on outer and inner side of fourth toe.
Habitat: Under rocks and logs near perennial streams Two large metatarsal tubercles, inner elongated
in wet evergreen forests. and outer rounded. Dorsum smooth. Abdomen
and cloacal area tubercular. A supra-tympanic
Distribution: Western Ghats south of 13°N latitude,
fold extends from posterior angle of eye to base of
Anamalai hills and Valparai in Tamil Nadu.
forelimb.
Status: Endangered.
Colour: A light brown mid-dorsal marking
commencing between eyes, narrowing behind occiput,
68. Microhyla chakrapanii Pillai, 1977 widening near mid-body and narrowing towards
Original Reference: abdomen above thigh region and broadens above
cloaca.
Pillai, R.S. 1977. On two frogs of the family
Microhylidae from Andamans including a new species. Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
Proc Ind Acad Sci., 86(B2): 135–138.
Habitat: Below leaf litter near the bank of streams and
Common Name: Chakrapani’s narrow-mouthed frog. also grassland surrounded by bamboo thickets.
Deuti : Amphibia 87
74. Ramanella triangularis (Gunther, 1875) tips of toes are rounded, without disks. A large inner
metatarsal tubercle well for digging backwards.
Original Reference:
Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections Colour: Overall black dorsally and dark grey ventrally.
of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum, Tip of snout white.
Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4: 576. Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
Common Name: Malabar Ramanella. Habitat: Below ground near streams of evergreen and
Type Locality: ‘Malabar’. semi-evergreen forests, cardamom, coffee and rubber
plantations.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 40 mm).
Head is small and pointed. Snout blunt and rounded. Distribution: Sankarankudi, Manamboli,
Tympanum indistinct. Strong fold from eye to shoulder. Murikkassery, Najayappilli, Ernakulum, Manimala
Finger tips with triangular dilations. Rudimentary river side, Erumaley, Kottayam, Karuvarakundu and
webbing on feet. Metatarsal tubercles well developed. Malappuram in Kerala; Anamalai, Indira Gandhi
Skin smooth. National Park and Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.Altitudes of
800–1000 meters above sea level.
Colour: Golden yellow bordered with black on the
sides and along the limbs. Black arrow-head mark on Status: Endangered.
the back. Ventrum brownish with white spots.
Family: NYCTIBATRACHIDAE
Habit: Fossorial (Burrowing).
Habitat: Moist places on land, tree holes, tree bases, 76. Nyctibatrachus acanthodermis Biju, Bocxlaer,
logs, stones and forest floor in moist deciduous to Mahony, Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
evergreen forest. Plantations, home gardens and Bossuyt, 2011
human habitations. Between 300–1000 meters above
Original Reference:
sea level.
Biju, SD., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
Distribution: Ponmudi hills in Tamil Nadu; Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri V & Bossuyt
Wayanaad and Silent Valley in Kerala; Sakleshpur and F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Kemphole in Karnataka. Between 300–1000 meters Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
above sea level. India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
Status: Vulnerable. twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
Common Name: Spinular Night Frog.
Family: NASIKABATRACHIDAE
Type Locality: Kaikatti, Nelliyampathy, Palakkad
75. Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju and district, Kerala.
Bossuyt, 2003 Brief Description: Large male adult size (SVL
Original Reference: 52.9–66.2 mm, N = 4); body robust; finger and
toe discs well developed, third finger disc without
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2003. New frog family from
groove, fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove,
India reveals an ancient biogeographical link with the
cover rounded distally; wrinkled dorsal skin with
Seychelles. Nature., 425: 711–714.
prominent spinular projections; well developed
Common Name: Sahyadri pig-nosed Frog. ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout
Type Locality: Kattappana, Kerala. to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
producing an inverted ‘Y’ and webbing medium,
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length: reaching well beyond the third subarticular tubercle
males 60 mm, females 90 mm). Bloated appearance. on either side of toe IV.
The head is pointed and short relative to the body.
Projecting nose, like snout of pig. The eyes are small Colour: Dorsum uniform brownish-grey; limbs
with a rounded horizontal pupil. Tympanum absent. dorsally dark brown, forelimbs, hind limbs and fingers
Forelimbs are short, the hands are rudimentarily with dark brown cross-bands; ventral side uniform
webbed, finger tips rounded without discs. The hind greyish, throat darker, thigh with dark grey patches,
limbs are short, feet about three-fourth webbed, the feet and webbing dark grey.
Deuti : Amphibia 89
Habit: Aquatic. third finger and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal
groove, cover bifurcate distally; presence of well
Habitat: Under the stones of flowing streams in a
developed dorsal glandular folds, well separated with
secondary forest patch.
a longitudinal skin fold on either side; lack of webbing
Distribution: Kerala. between toes and well-developed vomerine teeth.
Status: Data deficient. Colour: Brown dorsum with light cream coloured
blotches.
77. Nyctibatrachus aliciae Inger, Shaffer, Koshy and Habit: Aquatic.
Bakde, 1984
Habitat: forest floor on moist dead leaves near
Original Reference: streams.
Inger, R.F., Shaffer, H.B., Koshy, M. and Bakde, R. 1984.
Distribution: Tamil Nadu.
A report on a collection of amphibians and reptiles
from Ponmudi, Kerala, South India, Journal of Bombay Status: Data deficient.
Natural History Society, 81: 44.
Common Name: Aliciae’s Night Frog. 79. Nyctibatrachus beddomii (Boulenger, 1882)
Type Locality: Ponmudi, Kerala. Original Reference:
Brief Description: Small male adult size (SVL 20.5– Boulenger, 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia
25.6 mm); finger and toe discs well developed; third s. Ecaudata in the Collection of the British Museum,
finger disc with dorsoterminal groove, cover notched 1882: 470.
distally, fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove, Common Name: Beddome’s Night Frog.
cover bifurcate distally; weakly wrinkled dorsal skin
Type Locality: ‘Malabar’.
with prominent granular projections; well developed
ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout Brief Description: small male adult size (SVL 13.3–
to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates, 18.0 mm); finger and toe discs weakly developed third
producing an inverted ‘Y’; and webbing medium, finger and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal groove,
reaching before the third subarticular tubercle on cover bifurcate distally; dorsal skin prominently
either side of toe IV. shagreened with scattered spinular projections; lack of
webbing between toes; and well-developed vomerine
Colour: Brown dorsum with light cream coloured
teeth. Supra-tympanic fold from eye to shoulder.
blotches. Tubercles white tipped.
Dorsal skin shagreened with spinular projections. No
Habit: Aquatic. webbing on feet.
Habitat: Stream banks and rocks in middle of streams Colour: Dorsum brown with two light brown stripes
in evergreen and moist deciduous forest. starting behind eye and coalescing into larger patch on
lower back. Snout with light brown patch.
Distribution: Ponmudi and Athirimala in Kerala.
Between 105 – 1425 meters above sea level. Habit: Aquatic.
Status: Endangered. Habitat: Forest floor, leaf litter, stream sides, under
logs and among rock crevices in evergreen and
78. Nyctibatrachus anamallaiensis (Myers, 1942) deciduous forests. Altitude 980–1425 meters above sea
level.
Original Reference:
Distribution: Ponmudi and Athiramala in Kerala;
Myers, G.S. 1942. A new frog from the Anamalai Sengaltheri in Tamil Nadu.
hills, with notes on other frogs and some snakes from
south India, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Status: Endangered.
Washington, 55: 49.
80. Nyctibatrachus danieli Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony,
Common Name: Anamalai Night Frog. Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
Type Locality: Puthutotam Estate [3600–3800 ft. Bossuyt, 2011
elevation], Valparai, Anamallai Hills, Tamil Nadu. Original Reference:
Brief Description: Small male adult size (SVL 13.1– Biju, SD., Bocxlaer, IV., Mahony S., Dinesh
15.7 mm, N = 5); finger and toe discs weakly developed; KP.,Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri V & Bossuyt
90 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus with faint and interrupted dorsolateral folds and
Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats, glandular projections; and webbing medium, reaching
India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of just before the third subarticular tubercle on either
twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96. side of toe IV.
Common Name: Daniel’s Night Frog. Colour: Dorsum dark brown.
Type Locality: Humbarli village, Koyna, Satara Habit: Aquatic.
district, Maharashtra. Habitat: Forest floor, leaf litter on stream sides, logs,
Brief Description: medium adult size (SVL 24.9–35.1 rock crevices in dense evergreen forest.
mm), finger and toe discs well developed third finger Distribution: Dattatreya Peeta, Baba Budan hills,
and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal groove, cover Kemmangundi in Karnataka. Between 850–1500
rounded distally. Well developed ridge extending from meters above sea level.
the lip over the tip of the snout to between the nostrils,
at which point it bifurcates, producing an inverted Status: Critically Endangered.
‘Y’; and webbing medium, reaching above the third
subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV. 82. Nyctibatrachus deccanensis Dubois, 1984
Colour: Dorsum uniform light reddish-brown with a Original Reference:
brown stripe between the eyes demarcating a triangular Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections
light brown patch on the snout, a pair of light brown of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum,
longitudinal dorsal bands extend from the back of the Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4:
eyelids to the middle of dorsum; limbs dorsally grey 568.
with obscure blackish cross-bands; ventral side white,
thigh light grey with dark grey marbling, hand, feet Common Name: Deccan Night Frog.
and webbing dark grey.
Type Locality: Anamalai hills, Tamil Nadu.
Habit: Aquatic.
Habitat: found in rivulets nearby flowing streams. Brief Description: Small male adult size (SVL 18.6
± 1.1 mm); finger and toe discs weakly developed;
Distribution: Maharashtra. third finger disc without groove, fourth toe disc
Status: Data deficient. with dorso-terminal groove, cover bifurcate distally;
dorsal skin with glandular ridges; well developed
81. Nyctibatrachus dattatreyaensis Dinesh, ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout
Radhakrishnan and Bhatta, 2008 to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
producing an inverted ‘Y’and webbing reaching the
Original Reference: second subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
Dinesh, K.P., Radhakrishnan, C. and Bhatta, G.K.2008. Skin of snout shagreened to granular, upper eyelids
A new species of Nyctibatrachus Boulenger (Amphibia: with a few prominent glandular warts, sides of head,
Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) from the surroundings of anterior and posterior parts of back and upper and
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India, lower parts of flank with glandular ridges; well
Zootaxa, 1914: 46. developed ridge extending from the lip over the tip
of the snout to between the nostrils, at which point it
Common Name: Dattatreya Night Frog. bifurcates, producing an inverted ‘Y’; upper surface of
Type Locality: Dattatreya Peeta, Karnataka. arms and legs with weakly developed minute granular
projections; ventral side smooth.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 43 mm
in males and 46 mm in females). Snout rounded with Colour: Dorsum blackish-brown, ventrum yellowish.
prominent ‘Y’ mark on snout. Strong fold from eye to
shoulder. Dorsum with many skin folds. Three lateral Habit: Aquatic.
skin folds along the flank. Third finger disc without
terminal groove. Fourth toe disc with terminal groove. Habitat: Shallow streams deep inside the forest and
finger disc weakly developed, fourth toe disc relatively wet moss-covered rocks in the vicinity of water bodies.
well developed, third finger disc without dorso-
Distribution: Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
terminal groove, fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal
groove, cover notched distally, wrinkled dorsal skin Status: Vulnerable.
Deuti : Amphibia 91
83. Nyctibatrachus deveni Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony, mm, female SVL 58.2–60.1 mm); finger and toe discs
Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri & well developed; third finger disc without groove, fourth
Bossuyt, 2011 toe disc with dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded
distally; wrinkled dorsal skin with granular projections;
Original Reference:
well developed ridge extending from the lip over the
Biju, SD., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh, K.P., tip of the snout to between the nostrils, at which point
Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah, A., Giri, V & Bossuyt it bifurcates, producing an inverted ‘Y’and webbing
F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus medium, reaching up to the third subarticular tubercle
Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats, on either side of toe IV.
India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96. Colour: Dorsum uniform light brown with a dark
stripe between the eyes; limbs dorsally light brown with
Common Name: Deven’s Night Frog. obscure blackish cross bands; ventral side mauvish
Type Locality: Kaikatti, Nelliyampathy, Palakkad with light brown patches, thigh light grey with dark
district, Kerala. grey marbling, hand, feet and webbing dark grey.
Brief Description: Small male adult size (SVL 23.5 Habit: Aquatic.
± 0.7 mm); finger and toe discs well developed; third Habitat: Rivulet surrounded by cardamom plantation
finger disc with dorso-terminal groove, cover notched and from forest flowing streams.
distally, fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove,
cover bifurcate distally; dorsal skin with prominent Distribution: Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.
granular projections; well developed ridge extending Status: Data deficient.
from the lip over the tip of the snout to between the
nostrils, at which point it bifurcates, producing an
85. Nyctibatrachus grandis Biju, Bocxlaer,
inverted ‘Y’and webbing medium, reaching above the
Mahony, Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
third subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
Bossuyt, 2011
Colour: Dorsum yellowish orange with brownish
Original Reference:
patches, a pair of light brown longitudinal dorsal bands
extend from the back of the eyelids to the middle of Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
dorsum; limbs dorsally yellowish orange, forelimbs, Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Bossuyt,
hind limbs, fingers and toes with greyish cross-bands; F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
ventral side white, throat and limbs darker, feet and Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
webbing dark grey. India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
Habit: Aquatic.
Common Name: Grand Night Frog.
Habitat: Wet large rocks of flowing streams in forest.
Type Locality: Thirunelly, Wayanad district, Kerala.
Distribution: Kerala.
Brief Description: Large male adult size (SVL 62.2–
Distribution: Data deficient. 76.9 mm); body robust; finger and toe discs well
developed; third finger disc without groove, fourth
84. Nyctibatrachus gavi Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony, toe disc with dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded
Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri & distally; weakly wrinkled dorsal skin with glandular
Bossuyt, 2011 projections; well developed ridge extending from the
lip over the tip of the snout to between the nostrils, at
Original Reference:
which point it bifurcates, producing an inverted ‘Y’and
Biju, SD., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P., webbing medium, reaching just beyond the third
Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri V & Bossuyt subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Colour: Dorsum uniform dark grey with light grey
Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
patches, a pair of light brown longitudinal dorsal
India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
bands extend from the back of the eyelids to the
twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
middle of dorsum; limbs dorsally dark grey, forelimbs,
Common Name: Gavi Night Frog. hind limbs, fingers and toes with blackish cross-bands;
Type Locality: Gavi, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. ventral side uniform grey, throat light reddishbrown,
thigh with dark grey patches, feet and webbing dark
Brief Description: large adult size (male SVL 49.5–57.5 grey; femoral glands reddish brown.
92 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Humayun’s Night Frog. Colour: Dorsum uniform dark greyish-brown with
yellowish patches, a pair of light brown longitudinal
Type Locality: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. dorsal bands extend from the back of the eyelids to the
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 47 middle of dorsum; limbs dorsally dark grey, forelimbs
mm in males and 52 mm in females). Snout rounded. and hind limbs with faint greyish-black cross bands;
Tympanum hidden. Dorsum with dorso-lateral folds. ventral side uniform greyish-brown with light spots on
Webbing moderate on foot. Third finger and fourth toe throat and lateral side of belly, feet and webbing dark
discs with terminal groove. Body robust; finger and toe grey; femoral glands light brown.
discs well developed; third finger and fourth toe discs Habit: Aquatic.
with dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded distally;
wrinkled dorsal skin with dorsolateral folds and Habitat: Under stones of a flowing stream in a
glandular projections; well developed ridge extending disturbed secondary forest patch of Longwood shola.
from the lip over the tip of the snout to between the Distribution: Tamil Nadu.
nostrils, at which point it bifurcates, producing an
inverted ‘Y’ and webbing medium, reaching the third Status: Data deficient.
subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
88. Nyctibatrachus jog Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony,
Colour: Dorsum brown to brick red. Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
Habit: Aquatic. Bossuyt, 2011
Habitat: Along hill-streams and roadside streams, Original Reference:
overhanging shrubs on streams in moist deciduous Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
forests. Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Bossuyt,
Distribution: Koyna, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala in F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Maharashtra. Between 560–1228 meters above sea Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
level. India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
Status: Vulnerable.
Common Name: Jog Night Frog.
87. Nyctibatrachus indraneili Biju, Bocxlaer, Type Locality: Jog falls, Mavingundi, Karnataka.
Mahony, Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
Bossuyt, 2011 Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 46 mm
in males and 49 mm in females). Dorsum wrinkled
Original Reference: with skin folds along fingers. Strong supra-tympanic
Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh fold from eye to shoulder. Subocular gland prominent.
K.P., Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Pupil horizontal. Body robust; finger and toe discs
Bossuyt, F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night well developed. Third finger and fourth toe discs with
Frog genus Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded distally; well
Western Ghats, India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) developed ridge extending from the lip over the tip
with description of twelve new species. Zootaxa, of the snout to between the nostrils, at which point
3029: 1–96. it bifurcates, producing an inverted ‘Y’; relatively
Deuti : Amphibia 93
weakly wrinkled dorsal skin with prominent glandular 90. Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis (Rao, 1937)
projections and webbing medium, reaching before the
Original Reference:
third subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
Colour: Dorsum uniform dark greyish-brown with from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
yellowish patches, a pair of light brown longitudinal (B), 6: 401.
dorsal bands extend from the back of the eyelids to the
middle of dorsum; limbs dorsally dark grey, forelimbs Common Name: Kempholey Night Frog.
and hind limbs with faint greyish-black cross bands; Type Locality: Kempholey, Hassan, Karnataka.
ventral side uniform greyish-brown with light spots on
throat and lateral side of belly, feet and webbing dark Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 24 mm in
grey; femoral glands light brown. males and 27 mm in females). Y-shaped ridge on snout.
Glandular fold on dorsum, giving a square appearance.
Habit: Aquatic. Strong fold from eye to shoulder. Pupil horizontal.
Habitat: Along streams, stream edges, shrubs, rocks, Finger and toe discs with dorso-terminal groove, cover
boulders in evergreen to moist deciduous forest. rounded distally.Finger and toe discs well developed;
third finger and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal
Distribution: Jog, Kathalekan, Sirsi in Karnataka. groove, cover rounded distally; less wrinkled dorsal skin
Between 400–650 meters above sea level. with prominent granular projections; a ridge extending
Status: Data deficient. from the lip over the tip of the snout to between the
nostrils at which point it bifurcates, producing an
89. Nyctibatrachus karnatakaensis Dinesh, inverted ‘Y’; and webbing small, reaching above the
Radhakrishnan, Reddy and Gururaja, 2007 second subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
discs well developed; third finger disc with dorso- 96. Nyctibatrachus pillaii Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony,
terminal groove, cover notched distally, fourth toe disc Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
with dorso-terminal groove, cover bifurcate distally; Bossuyt, 2011
well developed ridge extending from the lip over the
Original Reference:
tip of the snout to between the nostrils, at which point
it bifurcates, producing an inverted ‘Y’and webbing Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
medium, reaching just above the third subarticular Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Bossuyt,
tubercle on either side of toe IV. F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
Colour: Dorsum uniform brown with light orange India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
specks, a light brown stripe between the eyes twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
demarcating a triangular light brown patch on the
snout, a pair of light orange longitudinal dorsal bands Common Name: Pillai’s Night Frog.
extend from the back of the eyelids to the middle of Type Locality: Kakachi, Tirunelveli district, Tamil
dorsum; limbs dorsally light brown with faint grey Nadu.
cross bands ventral side of throat blackish-brown,
Brief Description: Small adult male size (SVL 20.0–
belly and thigh light mauve, hand, feet and webbing
25.4 mm); finger and toe discs well developed; third
dark grey.
finger and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal groove,
Habit: Aquatic. cover bifurcate distally (Figure 3U); (4) well developed
ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout
Habitat: Moist rocks nearby rivulets of a flowing to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
stream. producing an inverted ‘Y’and webbing medium,
reaching beyond the third subarticular tubercle on
Distribution: Kerala.
either side of toe IV.
Status: Data deficient. Colour: Dorsum uniform greyish-brown with a
reddish-brown stripe between the eyes, a pair of
95. Nyctibatrachus petraeus Das and Kunte, 2005 reddish-brown longitudinal dorsal bands extend from
Original Reference: the back of the eyelids to the level of vent. limbs dorsally
lighter compared to dorsum, forelimbs and hind limbs
Das, I. and Kunte, K. 2005. New Species of Nyctibatrachus with discontinuous black cross-bands; ventral side
(Anura: Ranidae) from Castle Rock, Karnataka State, white, thigh light grey, hand, feet and webbing dark
Southwest India, Journal of Herpetology, 39: 465. grayish.
Common Name: Castle Rock Night Frog. Habit: Aquatic.
Type Locality: Castle Rock, Taluk Joida, Karwar Habitat: Forested marshy areas and rivulets of hill
District, Karnataka. streams.
Brief Description: Medium adult size (male SVL Distribution: Tamil Nadu.
38.3–47.6 mm, female SVL 35.1–42.8 mm); body
robust; finger and toe discs well developed; third finger Status: Data deficient.
and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal groove, cover
rounded distally; wrinkled dorsal skin with glandular 97. Nyctibatrachus poocha Biju, Bocxlaer,
projections and webbing medium, reaching the third Mahony, Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV. Bossuyt, 2011
Colour: Dorsum yellowish brown with brown Original Reference:
patches, ventrum cream white. Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
Habit: Aquatic. Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Bossuyt,
F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Habitat: Perennial streams in secondary forest Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
patches. India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
Distribution: Karnataka. twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
Status: Data deficient. Common Name: Meowing Night Frog.
96 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
individuals were found away from running water and 101. Nyctibatrachus vasanthi Ravichandran, 1997
were collected from marshy forest floor, under leaf
Original Reference:
litter.
Ravichandran, M.S. 1997. A new frog of the genus
Distribution: Karnataka. Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Ranidae) from southern India.
Status: Data deficient. Hamadryad., 22(1): 9–12.
Common Name: Vasanth’s Night Frog.
100. Nyctibatrachus sylvaticus Rao, 1937 Type Locality: Solaipalam Aru, Kakachi, Kalakkad-
Original Reference: Mundanthurai TR, Tamil Nadu.
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length
from S. India, Proceedings of Indian Academy of Science, 26–35 mm). Tympanum indistinct. Head broader
Series B, 6: 399. than long with a blunt snout. Pupil elliptical or
rhomboidal. Forelimbs short, fingers free, tips
Common Name: Forest Night Frog. dilated into small disks that lack circum-marginal
Type Locality:
Kempholay, Hassan district, grooves. Hind limbs stout. Toe webbing reaches
Karnataka. base of disks. Mid-dorsal region from eye to groin
without wrinkles. Flanks with short folds. Skin of
Brief Description: medium male adult size (SVL belly and throat smooth.
28.6–36.2 mm); finger and toe discs well developed;
third finger and fourth toe discs with dorso-terminal Colour: Dorsum light tan with irregular dark brown
groove, cover rounded distally; well developed ridge blotches. A narrow dark brown band between eyes.
extending from the lip over the tip of the snout to Limbs with brown cross bars. Ventrally dull yellow.
between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates, Habit: Aquatic.
producing an inverted ‘Y’; prominently wrinkled
dorsal skin with prominent granular projections Habitat: Below rocks in the edges of water in streams.
(especially on limbs) and webbing medium, reaching Distribution: Kalakkad-Mundanthurai TR, Tamil
before the third subarticular tubercle on either side Nadu.
of toe IV. Skin of snout and between eyes slightly
wrinkled, upper eyelids strongly tuberculate; Status: Endangered.
anterior and posterior parts of back prominently
wrinkled with spinular projections, dorsal parts of 102. Nyctibatrachus vrijeuni Biju, Bocxlaer,
forelimb, thigh and shank have longitudinal folds Mahony, Dinesh, Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri &
and prominently spinular; a well developed ridge Bossuyt, 2011
extending from the lip over the tip of the snout to Original Reference:
between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
Biju, S.D., Bocxlaer, I.V., Mahony S., Dinesh K.P.,
producing an inverted ‘Y’, the bifurcated ends extend
Radhakrishnan C., Zachariah A., Giri, V & Bossuyt,
half the distance to the eye; series of longitudinal
F. 2011. A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
ridges on throat, belly shagreened, ventrally limbs
Nyctibatrachus Boulenger, 1882 in the Western Ghats,
smooth to shagreened.
India (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) with description of
Colour: Dorsum uniform dark grey with a black twelve new species. Zootaxa, 3029: 1–96.
stripe between the eyes, demarcating a triangular light Common Name: VUB Night Frog.
grey patch on snout, a pair of light grey longitudinal
dorsal bands extend from the back of the eyelids to Type Locality:
Suganthagiri, Wayanad district,
the middle of dorsum; lateral side light grey, limbs Kerala.
dorsally grey with black cross-bands; ventral side light Brief Description: medium adult size (male SVL
brownish-grey with grey speckling; hands, feet and 38.7–43.1 mm, female SVL 37.4–42.5 mm,); body
webbing dark grey. robust; finger and toe discs well developed; third
Habit: Aquatic. finger disc without groove, fourth toe disc with dorso-
terminal groove, cover notched distally; well developed
Habitat: Under stones at the edge of forest streams. ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout
Distribution: Karnataka. to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
producing an inverted ‘Y’and webbing medium, barely
Status: Data deficient. reaching the third subarticular tubercle on either side
98 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
of toe IV. Skin of snout and between eyes shagreened olive green. Tympanum-reddish brown. Flanks olive
to granular, upper eyelids tuberculate; anterior and green with large brown patches on the upper part.
posterior parts of back wrinkled, a weakly developed Limbs dull yellow and barred with reddish brown.
ridge extending from the lip over the tip of the snout
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
to between the nostrils, at which point it bifurcates,
producing an inverted ‘Y’, dorsal parts of forelimb, Habitat: Streams.
thigh and shank have longitudinal folds with prominent Distribution: Assam and Meghalaya.
glandular projections; ventral side, strong longitudinal
folds on throat, chest shagreened, belly shagreened, Status: Data deficient.
limbs shagreened; a pair of femoral glands are present
on ventral side of thighs. 104. Amolops chakrataensis Ray, 1992
Colour: Dorsum uniform reddish-brown with a Original Reference:
broad black band, a pair of reddish-brown longitudinal Ray, P. 1992. Two new hill-stream frogs of the genus
dorsolateral bands extend from the back of the eyelids Amolops Cope (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) from Uttar
almost to the middle of dorsum; limbs dorsally darker Pradesh, India. Indian Jour Forestry., 15(4): 351–352.
than dorsum, forelimbs, hind limbs, fingers and toes
Common Name: Chakrata Torrent Frog.
with black cross-bands; lower jaw brown with white
spots on margins, feet and webbing dark grey; femoral Type Locality: Chakrata, Uttaranchal.
glands reddish.
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 55
Habit: Aquatic. mm). Body depressed with little slope anteriorly. Eyes
relatively small. Head wider than long. Snout obtusely
Habitat: streams in primary and secondary forests.
pointed, projecting beyond lower jaw. Supra-tympanic
Distribution: Kerala. fold distinct. Tongue broad, without papillae. Upper
Status: Data deficient. arm slender but fore arm more muscular and stout.
Fingers long and slender, terminating in well-developed
discs. Hind limbs moderate. Toes terminating into
Family: RANIDAE Rafinesque discs smaller than that on fingers. Knee and ankle
joints bear a fold of skin forming a groove.
103. Amolops assamensis Sengupta, Hussain,
Choudhury, Gogoi, Ahmed andChoudhury, 2008 Colour: Dorsum slaty brown. Lateral side below the
dorso-lateral glandular fold olive to dark green. A
Original Reference: dark brown canthal streak over tympanum bounded
Sengupta, S., Hussain, B., Choudhury, P.K., Gogoi, J., by white supra-tympanic fold. Margin of upper jaw
Ahmed, M.F. & Choudhury, N.K. 2007. A new species golden yellow while lower jaw with brown patches.
of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from Assam, North- Limbs with brown cross bars on olive base. Posterior
eastern India. Hamadryad., 32(1): 5–12. aspect of thigh dark brown mottled with irregular light
spots. Ventrally speckled with brown.
Common Name: Assam Torrent Frog.
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
Type Locality: Mayeng Hill Reserve Forest, Kamrup
District, Assam. Habitat: Under rocks in stagnant pools near fast-
flowing hill-streams in dense deodar forest.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 61 mm).
Distribution: Chakrata hills, Uttarakhand.
Body stout. Head wider than long. Snout flat, obtusely
pointed. Nostril oval, slightly closer to snout tip than Status: Data deficient.
eye. Eye large, nearly half of head length. Tympanum
small, flat and rounded. Supratympanic fold distinct. 105. Amolops jaunsari Ray, 1992
Fingers tips bear large discs. Hind limbs long about Original Reference:
three times as long as tibia. Toe tips dilated into discs
that are smaller than finger discs. A dermal fringe Ray, P. 1992. Two new hill-stream frogs of the genus
along fifth toe. Toe webbing complete. Skin granular, Amolops Cope (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) from Uttar
with scattered tubercles on back and flank. Dorso- Pradesh, India. Indian Jour Forestry., 15(4): 351–352.
lateral rows of minute glands and rictal glands present. Common Name: Jaunsar’s Torrent Frog.
Colour: Dorsal ground colour olive green with Type Locality: Amlawa river, 2 km upstream from
rounded or irregular brown patches. Sides of head Sahiya, Chakrata, Uttaranchal.
Deuti : Amphibia 99
Brief Description: Smaller form of Amolops with thirds dark reddish brown. Ventral surface greyish
large eyes, head wider than long, distinct tympanum white with some brown mottling on the chest and a
and paired subgular vocal sacs. Forelimbs moderate, crescent shaped blotch on the throat.
finger tips expanded into distinct discs having circum-
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
marginal groove. The disc of third and fourth finger
large. Hind limbs long and slender. Toes ending in Habitat: Side pools of hill-stream in degraded forest.
discs similar to those on fingers. Skin of dorsum Distribution: Kohima district, Nagaland.
glandular, supra-tympanic fold present. Forearm and
tibia covered with spinules, ventrum smooth. Status: Data deficient.
Colour: Dorsum dark olive green. Upper lips with 107. Amolops nidorbellus Biju, Mahony and
light brown and lighter spots. Iris golden brown. A Kamei 2010
blackish band extending from posterior margin of eye
to sacrum. Limbs marked with alternating light and Original Reference:
dark brown cross bars. Throat and anterior part of Biju, S.D., Mahony, S. & Kamei, R.G. 2010. Description
breast mottled with dark brown. of two new species of torrent frog, Amolops Cope
(Anura: Ranidae) from a degrading forest in the
Habit: Semi-aquatic.
north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland. Zootaxa.,
Habitat: Small hill-streams. 2408: 31–46.
Distribution: Chakrata hills, Uttaranchal. Common Name: Spotted Stinky Torrent Frog.
Status: Data deficient. Type Locality: Loru, Jotsoma village, Kohima district,
Nagaland.
106. Amolops kohimaensis Biju, Mahony and Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length male 76–82
Kamei 2010 mm, female 85–98 mm). Body robust. Head wider than
Original Reference: long, flat above. Snout rounded and slightly protruding.
Pupil horizontal. Tympanum circular. Arms moderately
Biju, S.D., Mahony, S. & Kamei, R.G. 2010. Description
long, thick, forearm enlarged. No webbing on fingers.
of two new species of torrent frog, Amolops Cope
Hind limbs long, shank longer than thigh and foot. Toes
(Anura: Ranidae) from a degrading forest in the
long and thin. Tips of all toes expanded with transversely
north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland. Zootaxa.,
oval disks, smaller than those of the fingers. All discs
2408: 31–46.
with circum-marginal grooves. Toes completely webbed.
Common Name: Kohima Spiny Torrent Frog. Skin on dorsal surface of head, flanks, dorsal and ventral
Type Locality: Loru, Jotsoma village, Kohima district, aspect of the body, throat and limbs smooth. Posterior
Nagaland. and ventral surface of thighs granular.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length male Colour: Dorsal portion of the head, back, limbs
42–48 mm). Body slender. Head longer than wide, and digits uniform brown with irregularly arranged
flat above. Snout rounded and strongly protruding. clusters of small cobalt green spots. Webbing yellow
Nostrils laterally positioned, slightly closer to the eye marbled with greyish brown. Throat, chest, abdomen
than snout tip. Pupil horizontal. Tympanum circular. and ventral surface of forelimb and thighs pale brown
Arms moderately long, thick, forearm enlarged. Finger with small white spots. Ventral surface of the hands
tips dilated with wide oval disks, largest on third finger. and all digital disks bluish grey.
Circum-marginal groove present on all digits of hand Habit: Semi-aquatic.
and feet. No webbing on fingers. Hind limbs long, shank
longer than thigh and foot. Toes long and thin. Toe tips Habitat: Hill-stream in degraded semi-evergreen
expanded with transversely oval disks. Toes moderately forest.
webbed. Dorsolateral folds present. Distribution: Kohima district, Nagaland.
Colour: Dorsal surface of head, body and limbs Status: Data deficient.
primarily brown with randomly arranged patches of
dark brown speckling. Dark brown stripe from snout 108. Clinotarsus curtipes (Jerdon, 1853)
tip, through nostril to eye. Dorsal surface of thighs
with five dark brown transverse stripes, four on shank Original Reference:
and two on tarsus. Webbing light brown, nuptial pads Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the
pale pink. Upper third of iris pale yellow, lower two Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 532.
100 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Habitat: Beside hill-streams and on leaf-litter in moist
evergreen forests.
Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Karnataka.
115. Indirana diplosticta (Gunther, 1875) Status: Critically Endangered.
Original Reference:
117. Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888)
Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections
of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum, Original Reference:
Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4: Boulenger, G.A. 1888. Ann Mag Nat Hist., 6(2): 506.
574.
Common Name: Leith’s Indian Frog.
Common Name: Malabar Indian Frog.
Type Locality: Matheran, Maharashtra.
Type Locality: ‘Malabar’.
Brief Description: Small-sized (length 32–38 mm).
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 35 Skin on dorsum rough with number of folds. Strong
mm). Tympanum distinct and large, more than half supra-tympanic fold from eye to shoulder. Tympanum
diameter of eye. Nostril is nearer to the tip of the snout. two-third diameter of eye. First finger shorter than
Longitudinal glandular folds on the dorsum. Strong second and toes two-third webbed. Enlarged disks on
supra-tympanic fold. Toe and finger tips dilated into fingers and toes.
discs. Toes are one-fourth webbed.
Colour: Brownish with many closely set black spots.
Colour: Dorsum grey-pink or reddish-brown. Snout Limbs are cross-barred. Venter white and throat is
paler, bordered by dark bar between the eyes. Brown finely mottled with brown.
stripe from snout till shoulder. Brown coloured spots
on the groin. Venter light brown with darker spots. Habit: Terrestrial.
Limbs cross barred. Habitat: Stream-sides in humid forests of the Western
Habit: Terrestrial. Ghats.
Common Name: Kempholey Indian Frog. Brief Description: Small-sized (length 27–35 mm).
Snout rounded without warts. Large tympanum as
Type Locality: Kempholey, Hassan, Karnataka. large as eye. Nostril is closer to the eye. Dorsum with
Brief Description: Head moderate,snout blunt. short longitudinal glandular folds. Flanks granular
Tympanum distinct, half the diameter of the eye. with warts. Toe and finger tips dilated into discs. Toes
Fingers moderate, tips of fingers and toes dilated into are half webbed and the webbing on the fourth toe
small discs, subarticular tubercles well developed. Toes does not reach the disk.
one-third webbed. Skin on back with short longitudinal Colour: Brown with black line between eyes. Limbs
glandular folds. Ventrum smooth. cross-barred. Inverted U-shaped broken stripe on
Colour: Dorsum olive or brownish. Limbs cross- back. Venter white and throat marbled with brown.
barred. Ventrum spotted with brown. Habit: Terrestrial.
Habit : Terrestrial.
Habitat: Dry stream bed, leaf litter along streams,
Habitat: Leaf litter on the forest floor in moist rock crevices in moist deciduous forest.
evergreen forest.
Distribution: Widespread along the Western Ghats.
Distribution: Karnataka. Between 200–1100 meters above sea level.
Status: Data deficient. Status: Least Concern.
120. Indirana phrynoderma (Boulenger, 1882) 122. Indirana tenuilingua (Rao, 1937)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia, Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 462. (B), 6: 397.
Common Name: Toad-skinned frog. Common Name: Rao’s Indian Frog.
Type Locality: Anamalai, Kerala. Type Locality: Kempholey Ghats, Hassan, Karnataka.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 45 mm).
Snout rounded. Strong glandular fold from eye to Brief Description: Medium-sized frogs. Skin on
shoulder. Finger and toe tips dilated into large discs. dorsum rough with number of folds. Strong supra-
Dorsum with strong warts of varying size. Flanks and tympanic fold from eye to shoulder. Tympanum one-
belly granular. third diameter of eye. First finger shorter than second
and toes two-third webbed. Moderate-sized disks on
Colour: Dorsum grayish brown. fingers and toes.
Habit: Terrestrial. Colour: Brownish with many black spots. Limbs are
Habitat: Moist damp places, leaf litter on the forest cross-barred. Venter white and throat is finely mottled
floor in moist evergreen forest. with brown.
Distribution: Indira Gandhi National Park in Tamil Habit: Terrestrial.
104 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Habitat: Stream side litter in humid forests of Western Common Name: Dudhwa Tree Frog.
Ghats.
Type Locality: Dudhwa NP, Uttar Pradesh.
Distribution: Karnataka.
Brief Description: Small-sized tree frog (length
Status: Data deficient. 29–35 mm). Head broader than long. Snout rounded.
Pupil horizontal. Tympanum more than half of eye
Family: RHACOPHORIDAE diameter. Forelimbs slender. Inner fingers with a
rudiment of webbing. First and second fingers are
123. Chiromantis cherrapunjiae (Roonwal and opposable to the third and fourth. Hindlimbs are
Kripalani, 1966) long and slender. Toes are almost fully webbed.
Discs of toes are smaller than those of fingers. Skin
Original Reference: is smooth on the dorsum but granular on throat and
Roonwal, M.L. & Kripalani, M.B. 1966. A new frog, coarsely granular on the abdomen and under the
Philautus cherrapunjiae (Family Ranidae) from thighs.
Assam, India, with field observation on its behaviour Colour: Dorsum brownish to pale buff with several
and metamorphosis. Rec. Ind. Mus., 59: 325–333 + 2 distinct longitudinal dark lines. Limbs pale brownish.
plates. Ventrally white.
Common Name: Cherrapunji Bush Frog. Habit: Arboreal.
Type Locality: Cherrapunji, East Garo hills district, Habitat: Grasses and Trees
Meghalaya.
Distribution: Uttar Pradesh.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 12–13
Status: Data deficient.
mm). Body depressed, constricted at the waist. Head
broader than long. Eyes prominent. Pupil round. 125. Chiromantis senapatiensis (Mathew and
A weak supra-tympanic fold present. Forelimbs Sen, 2009)
moderately long. Fingers half-webbed, moderately
long and flattened. Finger tips dilated into a subround Original Reference:
disk, that on the third finger is the largest. Hind limbs Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known
moderately long. Toes three-fourth webbed and amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind.,
flattened. Toe tips dilated into a subround disk. A skin Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates.
fold on outer side of fifth toe. Skin smooth above with
Common Name: Senapati Tree Frog.
few folds. Coarse granulations on abdomen.
Type Locality:
Kangpokpi, Senapati district,
Colour: Dorsum dirty grass green or dark grey. Eyes
Manipur.
black. Chin and lower jaw whitish. Chest and abdomen
dusky grey. Dorsal side of arms and legs dirty white Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 19 mm).
with pale green tinge. Ventral side of arms and legs Head as long as broad. Nostril closer to snout tip
similar but paler. than eye. Snout longer than eye diameter. Tympanum
round. Supra tympanic fold prominent. A glandular
Habit: Arboreal (Bush-dwelling). fold laterally from snout to groin along eye and
Habitat: Stagnant and permanent pools of water with tympanum. Forelimbs slender, shorter than hand.
grassy vegetation around. Finger tips with enlarged circum-marginally grooved
discs. Discs on fingers larger than those on toes.
Distribution: Cherrapunji, East Khasi hills district,
Fingers with rudiment of web. Hind limbs moderate.
Meghalaya.
Toes almost fully webbed. Dorsum smooth. Belly
Status: Data deficient. granular.
Colour: Dorsum light brown. A vertebral band
124. Chiromantis dudhwaensis (Ray, 1992) present. A ‘V’ shaped mark below the eyes. Jaws white.
Original Reference: Belly white.
Ray, P. 1992. Description of a new Rhacophorid, Habit: Arboreal.
Chirixalus dudhwaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) Habitat: Trees beside streams.
from Dudhwa National Park, district Lakhimpur
Distribution: Manipur.
Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ind. J. Forestry., 15(3):
260–265. Status: Data deficient.
Deuti : Amphibia 105
Colour: Dorsum brownish to pale buff with several Habitat: On shrubs and other undergrowth, leaf
indistinct longitudinal dark lines and some scattered litter, tall grass clumps along the streams in disturbed
black spots. Limbs pale brownish. Ventrally white. evergreen shoal forest.
106 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Western Tree Frog. Distribution: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Type Locality: Chapra forest, Thrissur district, Kerala. Status: Least Concern.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 55 mm
in males). Body slender. Head relatively long. Snout 135. Polypedates subansiriensis Mathew and
obtusely pointed. Tympanum large. Strong fold Sen, 2009
from eye to shoulder. Forelimbs relatively short, tips Original Reference:
of fingers dilated into large, flattened and rounded
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known
disks with circum-marginal grooves. Nuptial pad on
amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind.,
first and second fingers. Hind limbs long, tips of toes
Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates.
dilated into flattened disks. Dorsum smooth, lacking
tubercles. Abdominal regions granular with large Common Name: Subansiri Tree Frog.
rounded tubercles.
Type Locality: Soro village, Lower Subansiri district,
Colour: Dark brown hour glass mark on back with Arunachal Pradesh.
trident mark on posterior half. Dorsum yellowish-
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 45 mm).
brown with grey-brown blotches. Posterior surface
Head depressed, broader than long. Skin on head loose.
of thigh with brownish-yellow and dark brown
Snout longer than eye diameter. Tympanum depressed,
reticulations. Venter cream except the dark brown
73% of eye diameter. Supratympanic fold prominent.
mottling on throat.
Forelimbs moderate. Fingers free of webbing. Hind limbs
Habit: Arboreal. long. Tibia slightly shorter than femur. Toe discs small, not
rounded. Toes three-fourth webbed. Dorsum minutely
Habitat: On shrubs, reed, bamboo in evergreen and
granular. Venter broadly granular.
moist deciduous forest.
Colour: Dorsum with indistinct white spots. A broad,
Distribution: Vazhachal, Chapra, Thrissur in Kerala;
smooth, darker band from eye to nostril. Also a black
Valparai in Tamil Nadu; Charmadi, Someshwara,
streak from nostril to shoulder along eye. Upper lip
Agumbe, Jog, Sagar in Karnataka. Up to 1200 meters
with a white bordering line. Limbs with cross bands.
above sea level.
Thighs with round yellow spots.
Status: Data deficient.
Habit: Arboreal.
134. Polypedates pseudocruciger Das and Habitat: Trees.
Ravichandran, 1998 Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh.
Original Reference: Status: Data deficient.
Das, I & Ravichandran, M.S. 1997. Hamadryad., 22:
89. 136. Pseudophilautus amboli (Biju and
Bossuyt, 2009)
Common Name: False hour-glass tree frog.
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Glenbeck Estate, Nagercoil,
Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in
Brief Description: Medium to large sized (length the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
48–55 mm in males and 80 mm in females). Slender new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
build with long limbs. Tympanum three-fourth 155: 374–444.
diameter of eye. Second finger longer than first. Both
fingers and toes with large discs. Discs on toes smaller Common Name: Amboli Bush Frog.
than fingers. Fleshy spur on heel. Type Locality:
Amboli, Sawantwadi District,
Maharashtra.
Colour: Bright yellowish with distinct brown hour-
glass mark on back. The rear edge of the hour-glass is Brief Description: Medium-large sized frog (length
in the form of a blunt trident. Sides of head and face 27–34 mm in males and 37.5-mm in females). Snout
dark brown. Limbs cross barred. Ventrum white. pointed, snout length slightly longer than eye diameter.
Tympanum distinct, supratympanic fold distinct, from
Habit: Arboreal.
posterior corner of upper eyelid to near the shoulder.
Habitat: Trees. Forelimb shorter than hand. Fingers without lateral
108 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
dermal fringe, webbing absent. Discs of fingertips Chatankod, Bonacaud, Neyar, Palode, Ponmudi in
much enlarged. Hindlimbs moderately long, shank Kerala.
almost as long as thigh. Webbing moderate. Skin of
Status: Least Concern.
upper eyelids with a few granular projections and side
of head is slightly granular.Throat and chest granular,
belly and thigh granular. 138. Pseudophilautus wynaadensis (Jerdon, 1853)
Colour: Canthus rostralis, loreal region and region of 141. Raorchestes anili (Biju and Bossuyt, 2006)
supra tympanic fold dark brown; dorsum with distinct
Original Reference:
‘Ä’ brown mark; iris golden.
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F.2006. Two new species of
Habit: Arboreal. Philautus (Anura, Ranidae, Rhacophorinae) from
Habitat: Low bushes. theWestern Ghats, India. Amphibia-Reptilia., 27: 1–9.
Distribution: Kerala. Common Name: Anil’s Bush Frog.
Status: Data deficient. Type Locality: Kalpetta, Kerala.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 27 mm in
140. Raorchestes akroparallagi (Biju and males and 39 mm in females). Snout pointed. Upper
Bossuyt, 2009) eyelids with prominent granular tubercles. Tympanum
Original Reference: and supra-tympanic fold distinct
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny Colour: Inverted ‘V’ shape mark behind eye that
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in coalesces at thigh bar. Flanks and groin deep brown with
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 light grey blotches. . Flanks and groin deep brown with
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, light grey blotches, anterior surface of thighs and inner
155: 374–444. side of tibia light chocolate brown blotches, alternated
with variable sizes of grey patches, ventral side grey and
Common Name: Extremely variable Bush Frog. dark brown vermiculated throughout.
Type Locality: Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram Habit: Arboreal.
District, Kerala.
Habitat: On shrubs and forest undergrowth 2 meters
Brief Description: Small frog (length 19–22 mm above the ground in evergreen and moist deciduous
in males and 26–27-mm in females) with a slender forest, plantations and roadside vegetation.
body head length slightly greater than head width.
Snout pointed, snout length longer than eye diameter. Distribution: Ponmudi, Wayanad, Kalpetta,
Forelimb shorter than hand. Fingers without lateral Sulthanbathery, Mananthavady in Kerala. Between
dermal fringe, webbing absent. Hindlimbs moderately 800–1500 meters above sea level.
long, shank almost equal to thigh. Webbing reduced. Status: Least Concern.
Flanks sparsely granular. Throat, chest, belly, and
posterior surface of thighs granular.
142. Raorchestes beddomii (Gunther, 1876)
Colour: Dorsum uniformly light green with a few
Original Reference:
scattered grey spots. Lateral side of snout, light brown
to dark brown. Iris light brown, encircled by light Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections
bluish white outer ring. Lateral region light yellowish, of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum,
groin light yellowish. Dorsal surface of forearm Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4:
brownish. Thigh with a green line extending from near 568.
vent to knee, anterior and posterior margins of thigh Common Name: Beddome’s Bush Frog.
light yellow, without markings.
Type Locality: ‘Malabar’.
Habit: Arboreal.
Brief Description: Small frog (length 16–23 mm in males
Habitat: Has a wide range of habitat choice, and 23–30 mm in females) with a slender body, head length
from evergreen forest to moist deciduous forest to equal to head width. Snout oval and slightly protruding.
plantations of tea and coffee and near secondary forest Tympanum and supra-tympanic fold indistinct. Forelimb
fringes. Individuals found between 1 and 2 m above shorter than hand. Fingers without lateral dermal fringe,
the ground, on leaves of undergrowth. webbing absent.. Hindlimbs moderately long, shank
Distribution: Agasthyamala, Athirimala, Bonakkad, longer than thigh. Webbing reduced. Chest, belly and
Chathankod, Ponmudi, Kalpetta, Wayanad, posterior surface of thighs granular.
Mananthavady and Sulthanbathery in Kerala and Colour: Uniform green dorsum, loreal and tympanic
Kannikatti in Tamil Nadu. Between 180–2000 meters regions. Iris is reddish-brown, enclosed by a blue
above sea level. outer ring. Lateral region is bluish-white and groin is
Status: Least Concern. yellowish. Dorsal green colour extends to limbs, fingers
110 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
and toes. Toes are greenish-yellow and discs are dark Brief Description: Small-sized (length 30 mm).
yellowish-brown. Throat is light yellowish-white and Skin on dorsum with many small warts and pimple-
belly is white. Hands and feet are white or light yellow. like structures. Skin on belly coarse. Snout rounded,
nostril close to snout tip. Eyes large and prominent.
Habit: Arboreal. Tympanum small and hidden. Supra-tympanic fold
Habitat: Moist forest patches, prefers wayside present. Discs on fingers and toes of moderate size.
vegetation and tea plantations. Toes one-third webbed. Males with large external
vocal sac.
Distribution: Athiramala and Munnar in Kerala and
Kannikatti in Tamil Nadu. Colour: Dark brown or grey, spotted with black on
back. Large brown-pinkish mark on back. Sides dark
Status: Near threatened. and spotted. Large black and yellow mark on the groin.
Limbs pale grey and cross-banded with black.
143. Raorchestes bobingeri (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005)
Habit: Arboreal.
Original Reference:
Habitat: Bushes beside streams.
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2005. Two new Philautus
(Anura: Ranidae Rhacophorinae) from Ponmudi Hills Distribution: Karnataka and Maharashtra.
in the Western Ghats of India. Copeia, 2005: 29–37. Status: Vulnerable.
Common Name: Inger’s Bush Frog.
145. Raorchestes chalazodes (Gunther, 1876)
Type Locality: Ponmudi hills, Thiruvananthapuram
district, Kerala. Original Reference:
Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 25–27 of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum,
mm), rather flat body, snout oval. Absence of supra- Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4:
tympanic fold. Finger tips oval. Uniformly granular 568.
dorsum and underparts. Feet webbed.
Common Name: Granular Bush Frog.
Colour: Dorsum uniform leaf green without
markings, lateral side red, without markings. Tympanic Type Locality: Travancore, South India.
regions leaf green, iris golden brown with dark-brown Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 25 mm in
spots, encircled by a thin bluish black outer ring. males and 28 mm in females). Snout rounded. Dorsum
Lower arm leaf green, upper arm yellowish, hand with tubercles. Granular belly.
yellowish red, finger tips light red, thigh with a leaf-
green line extending from dorsum to knee. Forelimbs Colour: Uniform green dorsum. Light brown finger
and hindlimbs without cross bands. Throat white or and toe discs. Iris with golden yellow patches or in two
slightly light yellow, hands and feet light yellow. semi-circles.
Habitat: Seen on leaves, about 5 m high in shrubs and Habitat: Reed brakes and understory 1–2 meters
small trees from evergreen forest patches. above the ground in evergreen to moist deciduous
forest and disturbed secondary forest.
Distribution: Ponmudi, Thiruvanthapuram,
Agasthyamala in Kerala; Kakachi and Sengaltheri in Distribution: Upper Kodeyar, Udagamandalam in
Tamil Nadu. Up to 1100 meters above sea level. Tamil Nadu; Parambikulum in Kerala. Between 400–
2250 meters above sea level.
Status: Vulnerable.
Status: Critically Endangered.
144. Raorchestes bombayensis (Annandale, 1919)
146. Raorchestes charius (Rao, 1937)
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Annandale, T.N. 1913. Rec Ind Mus., 16: 124.
Rao, C.R.N. 1937. On some new forms of Batrachia
Common Name: Maharashtra Bush Frog. from S. India. Proceedings of Indian Academy Science
Type Locality: Castle Rock, North Kannara district, (B), 6: 387–426.
Karnataka. Common Name: Rao’s Bush Frog.
Deuti : Amphibia 111
Type Locality: Hills around Chikmalagur, and hindlimbs with light-brown cross bands; ventral
Chikmalagur district, Karnataka. side whitish, throat light grey with minute greyish
spots; ventral surface of hands and feet fleshy white,
Brief Description: Medium-size frogs (length 27–31
with small grey spots.
mm), head short, snout shorter than or equal to the
eye diameter. Dorsum with small horny spinules. Habit: Arboreal.
Relatively short hindlimbs.
Habitat: Shola vegetation near tea and eucalyptus
Colour: Dorsum usually light brown with various plants.
numbers of deep-brown irregular patches, a brown
Distribution: Munnar, Kerala.
stripe between the eyes demarcates a triangular
grey snout, tympanic regions light brown with Status: Critically Endangered.
black spots, a pair of greyish brown concave bands
extending from below the level of the eye to the 148. Raorchestes chotta (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)
groin. Iris light brown, encircled with thin greyish
outer ring. Dorsal side of limbs with dark-grey cross Original Reference:
bands. Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in
Habit: Arboreal.
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
Habitat: Mostly seen on the stems of shrubs about 0.5 new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
to 1.5-m above the ground. 155: 374–444.
Distribution: Chikmagalur, Muthodi, Mercara, and Common Name: Small Bush Frog.
Kottigehara in Karnataka.
Type Locality: Ponmudi, Thiruvanthapuram district,
Status: Endangered. Kerala.
Brief Description: small adult size (SVL 16.7 ± 0.4
147. Raorchestes chlorosomma (Biju and mm, male; SVL 20.5 mm, female); snout in dorsal view
Bossuyt, 2009) sharply pointed; prominent tubercles on upper eyelid;
Original Reference: dark spot on either side towards the vent; vermiculated
posterior surface of the shanks; very long hindlimbs,
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
strongly overlapping when folded at right angles.
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 Colour: Dorsum yellowish grey with various numbers
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, of light-brown, tan, and brown markings, a pair of
155: 374–444. dark lines between eyes, filled with light brown, an
hourglass-shaped area that is slightly darker than the
Common Name: Green-eyed Bush Frog.
dorsum, a dark spot towards the hindlimb, forming
Type Locality: Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala. a continuation of the largest leg bar when limbs are
flexed into normal sitting posture, lateral abdominal
Brief Description: medium adult size (SVL 26.8 ± 0.8
area light brown, tinged with bronze, tympanic region
mm); body slender, head length shorter than width,
light brown; iris light-grey–brown with dark-brown
supra-tympanic fold distinct, tympanum distinct.
cross band, encircled with light golden ring; forelimbs
Fingers with dermal fringe on both edges, webbing
and hindlimbs light brown, with dark-brown cross
absent. Hind limbs moderately long, shank longer than
bands, finger tips grey, anterior and posterior margins
thigh; absence of supernumerary tubercle on hand and
of thigh light brown; ventral side off white, with various
foot; webbing rudimentary reaching just above the
numbers of brown, light-grey and pale-yellow spots
third subarticular tubercle on either side of toe IV.
forming a vermiculated pattern, throat darkbrownish
Colour: Dorsum light grey to brown with irregular yellow, margins with dark bands interrupted with
spots, a pair of light black discontinuous parallel lines white bands, foot and hand light grey.
extending from behind the eye to the level of the groin;
Habit: Arboreal.
groins and posterior surface of thighs light grey to
brown, lateral side brown with light-grey spots; loreal Habitat: Leaves of tea plants.
and tympanic regions dark brownish black; iris greyish
Distribution: Ponmudi, Kerala.
green with brown discontinuous lines, encircled by a
lightblue ring; limbs brownish grey dorsally; forelimbs Status: Data deficient.
112 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
149. Raorchestes chromasynchysi (Biju and loreal region acutely flat. Tympanum rather distinct,
Bossuyt, 2009) rounded. Supratympanic fold distinct from back of eye
to shoulder. Lingual papilla absent. Forelimb shorter
Original Reference:
than hand. All fingers with lateral dermal fringe on
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny both edges, webbing absent. Subarticular tubercles
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in prominent and rounded. Prepollex rather distinct
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 and oval. Single palmar tubercle, oval and distinct.
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Supernumerary tubercles present on fingers III and
155: 374–444. IV. Nuptial pad absent. Hindlimbs moderately long,
Common Name: Confusing coloured Bush Frog. shank longer than femur. Webbing reduced, reaching
just above the third subarticular tubercle on the inside,
Type Locality: Kurichiyarmala, Kerala. and reaching the second subarticular tubercle on the
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 28 mm in outside of fourth toe. Dermal fringe along fifth toe
males, 30 mm in females). Snout pointed. Tympanum present. Subarticular tubercles rather prominent,
distinct. Anterior part of back with granular spinules. rounded. Supernumerary tubercles present on toes
Flanks granular. Less webbing in feet. II–V. Anterior and posterior parts of back with horny
spinules. Upper and lower part of flank with some
Colour: dorsum uniform dark green, completely granular projections. Dorsal part of forelimb, femur,
extended to lateral side of snout, and loreal and shank and tarsus with granular projections. Throat,
tympanic regions, groin light yellow with brown chest, belly andposterior surface of thighs granular.
blotches, posterior surface of thighs dark brown, and
anterior surface of thighs and groins dark brown with Colour: Dorsum light-reddish brown. A light black
yellow blotches, lateral side light yellowish green, iris stripe between the eyes forming a triangular grey-
dark golden brown, encircled by a thin bluish green coloured snout with blackish spots. A light-brown
outer ring, dorsal green colour completely extended inverted triangular marking between the eyes. Upper
to the limbs, forelimbs and hindlimbs with faint cross eyelids grey, tympanic regions dark-brownish black.
bands, fingers and toes light blackish green; ventral Lateral side of abdomen with dark-brown blotches
side light yellow, hands and feet greyish brown. alternated with light-grey patches. Iris light brown,
encircled by a thin bluish grey outer ring. Forelimbs
Habit: Arboreal. and hindlimbs with dark-brownish cross bands.
Habitat: Shrubs, roadside vegetation 1 meter above Fingers and toes with dark cross bands. Posterior
the ground in evergreen to moist deciduous forest. surface of thighs with light chocolate-brown blotches,
alternated with grey patches, ventral side grey with
Distribution: Kurichiyarmala, Wayanad in Kerala; dark-brown specks.
Baba Budan hill ranges in Karnataka. Between 800–
1500 meters above sea level. Habit: Arboreal.
Status: Vulnerable. Habitat: On leaves during rain in the late evening,
between 1- and 1.5-m above the ground, near an
150. Raorchestes coonoorensis (Biju and abandoned eucalyptus plantation adjacent to Coonoor
Bossuyt, 2009) Sims Park.
152. Raorchestes dubois (Biju and Bossuyt, 2006) 154. Raorchestes garo (Boulenger, 1919)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Biju SD & Bossuyt F. 2006. Two new Philautus (Anura: Boulenger, G.A. 1919. Descriptions of three new
Ranidae, Rhacophorinae) from the Western Ghats, batrachians from the Garo hills, Assam. Rec. Ind. Mus.,
India. Amphibia-Reptilia, 27: 1–9. 16: 207–208.
Common Name: Dubois’s Bush Frog. Common Name: Garo Bush Frog.
Type Locality: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Type Locality: Above Tura, Garo hills, Meghalaya.
Brief Description: Small frog (length 19–22 mm in Brief Description:Small-sized frog (length 13 mm).
males and 25 mm in females). Body rather robust, Head broader than long. Snout truncate, scarcely
dorsal and lateral side prominently granular, ventral projecting, a little shorter than the diameter of the
side of fore-limb coarsely granular. orbit. Tympanum distinct, one-third the diameter of
the eye. Fingers short, free. Toes short, webbed at the
Colour: Highly variable in dorsal colour, dorsally
base. Discs of fingers and toes large, quite as large as
grayish-white, light green, yellowish-green, dark
the tympanum. Tibia half the length of head and body.
cobalt green, dark orange-reddish, brown, reddish-
Skin smooth above, a glandular fold from the eye to
brown or brownish-green. Dorsal markings are either
the shoulder. Throat smooth. Belly granular.
an inverted ‘V’ or a pair of lateral concave lines or
Colour: Greyish above, with a large sharply defined
scattered spots extending from the posterior border
dark brown hourglass-shaped blotch covering the
of eyes to the vent. Thigh and shank coffee-brown and
head from between the eyes. Limbs with cross-bands.
intermingled with light grey or yellow blotches.
Lower parts grayish, dotted with white.
Habit: Arboreal.
Habit: Arboreal.
Habitat: Leaves of shrubs, one meter above the
ground. Hibernate under stones or crevices. Habitat: Bushes.
Distribution: Kodaikanal and Konalar in Tamil Nadu Distribution: Meghalaya and Assam.
and Eravikulum in Kerala. Status: Data deficient.
Status: Vulnerable.
114 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
155. Raorchestes glandulosus (Jerdon, 1853) 157. Raorchestes griet (Bossuyt, 2002)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the Bossuyt, F. 2002. A new species of Philautus (Anura:
Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 532. Ranidae) from the Western Ghats of India. J. Herp.,
36(4): 656–661.
Common Name: Beautiful Bush Frog.
Common Name: Griet Bush Frog.
Type Locality: Manantavadi, Wynaad, Kerala.
Type Locality: Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala.
Brief Description: Small-sized (length 38 mm). Skin
on back bears a number of closely placed fine pimples. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 21
Sides and underparts coarse. Nostril equidistant mm). Head broader than long, snout rounded. Pupil
between eye and snout tip. Tympanum hidden. Toes rounded, tympanum indistinct, small and rounded.
webbed only at base. Forelimb shorter than hand. Tips of fingers with
well-developed disks with circum-marginal groove.
Colour: Dark purplish with fine markings. Grey- Webbing absent on fingers. Hindlimbs moderately
brown with symmetrical darker or paler markings. long, webbing on toes rudimentary. Skin on snout
Venter white with small brown spots. with small horny spines. Horny ridges between eyes
Habit: Arboreal. arranged in a triangle. Lower part of flanks granular.
Dorsal part of forelimbs and thighs smooth. Throat,
Habitat: Bushes. chest and belly granular.
Distribution: Wynaad, Kerala. Colour: Dorsum brown, dorsal part of head with off-
Status: Vulnerable. white stripe between eyes. Triangular ridge on head
dark brown. Dark brown mark on back. Flanks light
156. Raorchestes graminirupes (Biju and brown, tympanum dark brown. Upper lip with faint
Bossuyt, 2005) light and dark brown bands. Forelimbs light brown
with dark brown spots. Dorsal part of thighs with two
Original Reference: dark brown transverse bars. Chest, belly and underside
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2005. Two new Philautus of thighs off-white.
(Anura: Ranidae Rhacophorinae) from Ponmudi Hills Habit: Arboreal.
in the Western Ghats of India. Copeia, 2005: 29–37.
Habitat: Bushes.
Common Name: Ponmudi Bush Frog.
Type Locality: Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
district, Kerala. Status: Critically Endangered.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 22–23
mm in males and 27–29 mm in female). Snout pointed. 158. Raorchestes jayarami (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)
Between the eyes a horny ridge from the snout to
Original Reference:
the middle of the body. Dorsum with a few granular
projections. Hindlimbs long. Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in
Colour: Dorsum greyish brown with various numbers
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
of irregular black patches. A brownish black band
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
between the eyes. Both lips with between three and
155: 374–444.
five narrow light bands. Iris silvery brown with dark-
brown horizontal bands. Anterior surface of thighs Common Name: Jayaram’s Bush Frog.
vermiculated with brown–yellow, tinted with bluish Type Locality: Valparai, Coimbatore district, Tamil
green, posterior surface of thighs light-chocolate Nadu.
brown, vermiculated with bluish green.
Brief Description: medium adult size; slender
Habit: Arboreal. body, rather indistinct supra-tympanic fold; pointed
Habitat: Leaf blades in grassland near evergreen snout; subarticular tubercles double in fingers III
forest patches. and IV; elongated granulation on the ventral side.
Forelimb shorter than hand; fingers without lateral
Distribution: Ponmudi in Kerala.
dermal fringe, webbing absent; nuptial pad weakly
Status: Vulnerable. developed. Hindlimbs moderately long, webbing
Deuti : Amphibia 115
moderate; reaching almost up to first subarticular Brief Description: medium adult size (SVL
tubercle on either side of toe IV; dermal fringe along 31.30–33.89); head width larger than head length;
toe V present. snout sharply pointed, sub equal to eye length;
tympanum distinct; forelimb sub-equal to hand,
Colour: Lateral region and thigh margin white,
no lateral dermal fringe; shank sub equal to thigh
occasionally with bluish black spots.
length; subarticular tubercles prominent, in
Habit: Arboreal. forelimbs and hind limbs; disc well developed and
Habitat: Bushes and shrubs. distinct.
Distribution: Valparai, Coimbatore district, Tamil Colour: Canthus rostralis, loreal region and region of
Nadu. supra tympanic fold dark brown; dorsum bicoloured
with two lateral orange yellow stripes with a middle
Status: Data deficient. black stripe from back of orbit to vent; iris golden
brown coloured.
159. Raorchestes jerdonii (Gunther, 1876) Habit: Arboreal.
Original Reference: Habitat: Leaf litter below the fallen logs and stones.
Günther, A. 1876 “1875”. Third report on collections
Distribution: Kerala.
of Indian reptiles obtained by the British Museum,
Proceedings of Zoological Society, London., “1875” 4: 571. Status: Data deficient.
Common Name: Jerdon’s Bush Frog.
161. Raorchestes kadalarensis Zachariah, Dinesh,
Type Locality: Darjeeling, West Bengal. Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot &
Brief Description: A medium-sized frog from the Kalesh, 2011
middle altitudes of the Darjeeling hills. Body slender Original Reference:
with long limbs. Eyes large. Tympanum prominent.
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E.,
Fingers and toes with small but well-developed discs.
Das, S., Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J &
Fingers minutely webbed but toes moderately webbed.
Kalesh, S. 2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus
Skin smooth with a strong supra-tympanic fold. No
Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from
dermal finges on fingers and toes.
southern Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1):
Colour: Dorsum brownish without much markings. 25–48.
Ventrum creamish white. Common Name: Kadalar Bush Frog.
Habit: Arboreal. Type Locality: Kadalar Tea Estate, Idukki district,
Habitat: Probably bushes as well as trees in Kerala.
Cryptomeria forests. Brief Description: small adult size (SVL 16.36–17.29);
head width sub equal to head length; snout acutely
Distribution: Darjeeling, West Bengal. pointed, sub equal to eye length; tympanum indistinct;
Status: Data deficient. forelimb sub equal to hand, no lateral dermal fringe;
shank larger than thigh length; subarticular tubercles
160. Raorchestes johnceei Zachariah, Dinesh, prominent in forelimbs and hind limbs, disc well
Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot & developed.
Kalesh, 2011 Colour: Canthus rostralis and upper region of supra
tympanic fold dark brown; hind region of the fore arm
Original Reference:
with brown patch; dorsum with hour-glass shaped
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E., Das, S., mark in occipital region; lower end of the hour-glass
Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J & Kalesh, S. shaped mark extending as two lateral brown stripes to
2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes groin region; iris golden brown in colour.
(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern
Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1): 25–48. Habit: Arboreal.
162. Raorchestes kaikatti (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009) Distribution: Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Original Reference: Status: Data deficient.
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in 164. Raorchestes kempiae (Boulenger, 1919)
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Original Reference:
155: 374–444. Boulenger, G.A. 1919. Descriptions of three new
batrachians from the Garo hills, Assam. Rec. Ind. Mus.,
Common Name: Kaikatti Bush Frog.
16: 207–208.
Type Locality: Kaikatti, Palakkad district, Tamil
Common Name: Kemp‘s Bush Frog.
Nadu.
Type Locality: Above Tura, Garo hills, Meghalaya.
Brief Description: Medium male adult size (SVL 24.9
± 1.4 mm); snout oval in dorsal view; canthus rostral Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 17 mm). Head
rounded; tympanum rather indistinct; posterior part broader than long. Snout rounded, scarcely projecting, a
of thighs prominently granular. little shorter than the diameter of the orbit. Tympanum
hidden. Fingers short, free. Toes short, webbed at the base.
Colour: Lateral side with light grey spots. Posterior
Discs of fingers and toes large with distinct discs. Upper
part of thighs and groin brown.
parts with small warts. Throat smooth, belly granular.
Habit: Arboreal.
Colour: Greyish above, with small blackish spots. A
Habitat: Bushes. blackish cross-band between the eyes and a X-shaped
Distribution: Palakkad, Tamil Nadu. marking on the back. Limbs with irregular blackish
cross-bands. Upper lip with vertical dark bars. Throat
Status: Critically Endangered. and belly whitish, spotted and marbled with brown.
Habit: Arboreal.
163. Raorchestes kakachi Seshadri, Gururaja &
Arvind, 2012 Habitat: Probably bushes.
Original Reference: Distribution: Garo hills, Meghalaya.
Seshadri, K.S., Gururaja, K.V. & Aravind, N.A. 2012. A new Status: Data deficient.
species of Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)
from mid-elevation evergreen forests of the southern
165. Raorchestes luteolus (Kuramoto and
Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa, 3410: 19–34.
Joshy, 2003)
Common Name: Kakachi Bush Frog.
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Kakachi Tea Estate, Kalakkad-
Kuramoto, M & Joshy, S.H. 2003. Two new species of
Mundanthurai TR, Tamil Nadu.
Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western
Brief Description: Flat head; snout oval, tympanum Ghats, southwestern India. Current Herp., 22(2): 51–60.
indistinct; supra-tympanic fold distinct; head wider than
long; skin granular on throat, chest, belly, flanks, vent and Common Name: Yellow Bush Frog.
lower parts of thigh; tuberculate projections on dorsum, Type Locality: Kirundadu, Karnataka.
upper eye lids, snout, tympanic region, fore limbs and
hind limbs, fingers and toes with well developed discs, Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 30 mm
circummarginal groves. Moderate webbing in hind limbs. in males and 34 mm in females). Snout pointed.
Tympanum indistinct. Flank and belly granular.
Colour: Dorsum varying from ivory to brown, blotches
of dark brown on flanks, brown mottling on throat Colour: Iris golden yellow, surrounded by blue ring.
reducing towards vent; Distinct dark brown horizontal Yellow to pale brown dorsum with minute brown specks.
band on inner and outer surface of thigh, inner surface Habit: Arboreal.
of shank and inner surface of tarsus extending up to first
three toes on upper surface and iris colour brown. Habitat: On shrubs and understory of evergreen to
moist deciduous forest. Roadside vegetation as well as
Habit: Arboreal. interior of forest and plantations of tea and coffee, 2–4
Habitat: Bushes. meters above the ground.
Deuti : Amphibia 117
Distribution: Coorg, Kempholey, Kudremukh, view; snout longer than the horizontal diameter of the
Charmadi, Jog, Kathalekan in Karnataka. Between eye; skin of dorsum with small horny spinules; horny
530–1120 meters above sea level. ridges between the eyes, arranged in a triangle directed
Status: Data deficient. posteriorly.
Colour: Dorsum dark grey, with a brownish concave
166. Raorchestes manipurensis (Mathew and stripe running from behind the eye, a brownish stripe
Sen, 2009) between the eyes, upper eyelids light grey, loreal and
tympanic regions light greyish brown; groin light grey,
Original Reference:
minutely marbled with white; iris golden brown; limbs
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known light brown with light-brown cross bands, both elbows
amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind., brownish; posterior surface of thighs light grey; ventral
Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates. side light grey.
Common Name: Manipur Bush Frog. Habit: Arboreal.
Type Locality: Tumzane river-bed, Leimatak, Habitat: Bushes in disturbed evergreen forest patches.
Churachandpur district, Manipur.
Distribution: Palakkad, Tamil Nadu.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 25 mm).
Head broader than long. Snout obtusely pointed, Status: Data deficient.
slightly projecting beyond lower jaw. Tympanum
fairly distinct, depressed, 67% of eye diameter. 168. Raorchestes manohari Zachariah, Dinesh,
Forelimbs short. Fingers moderate with rudiment Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot &
of web. Finger tips with well-developed discs. Hind Kalesh, 2011
limbs moderately long. Toes almost two-third Original Reference:
webbed. Toe tips with distinct discs which are smaller
than that of fingers. Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E.,
Das, S., Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J &
Colour: A chocolate brown mark starting from the Kalesh, S. 2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus
eyes and continue as a band towards the groin. Head Raorchestes (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from
from snout to the beginning of eyes yellowish. Flanks southern Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1):
yellowish with irregular brown patches. Ventrally dirty 25–48.
white speckled all over with brown, particularly on
throat and chest. Discs on fingers and toes white. Common Name: Manohar’s Bush Frog.
Habitat: Under pebbles and dried leaves beside Brief Description: Very small-sized frog (length 18
uprooted tree on dried river bed. mm). Snout acutely pointed. Tympanum indistinct.
Finger and toes with large discs.
Distribution: Manipur.
Colour: Yellow dorsum with brown spots. Belly
Status: Data deficient. white.
Habit: Arboreal.
167. Raorchestes marki (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)
Habitat: On reeds and shrubs about 3 meters above
Original Reference:
the ground in evergreen to moist deciduous forest.
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Distribution: Pondimotta, Bonacaud in Kerala.
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 Status: Data deficient.
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
155: 374–444. 169. Raorchestes microdiscus (Annandale, 1912)
Common Name: Mark’s Bush Frog. Original Reference:
Type Locality: Kaikatti, Palakkad, Tamil Nadu. Annandale, T.N. 1912. Zoological Results of the Abor
Brief Description: small male adult snout–vent expedition – Batrachia. Rec Ind Mus., 8: 7–36 + 4 plates.
length (SVL 22.2 ± 0.7 mm); snout pointed in dorsal Common Name: Micro-disc Tree Frog.
118 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Type Locality: Kobo, foot of Abor hills (400 ft), prominent dark-brown cross-bands. Posterior surface of
Arunachal Pradesh. thighs light brownish-yellow, ventral side dark brownish-
black. Margin of lower jaw golden yellow. Throat light
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 29
brownish-yellow, lateral side yellowish-brown marbled
mm). Head large, flat, broadly ovoid. Snout rounded.
with dark brown spots. Hands and feet light grey. Webbing
Tympanum distinct, close to eye, its diameter about
grey. Nuptial pad yellowish-white.
one-third of eye. Limbs slender but short. Fingers
with a slight rudiment of web. Discs on fingers tips Habit: Arboreal.
very small. Discs on toes like that on fingers. Feet less
Habitat: Leaves and twigs of Lantana bushes on the
than half webbed. Skin on dorsum, throat and chest
fringes of tea-estates.
smooth. No dorso-lateral fold, an indistinct supra-
tympanic fold. Skin of belly separated into polygonal Distribution: Devikulam and Munnar in Kerala.
areas by a very distinct network of grooves, on the Status: Critically Endangered.
posterior part these areas gradually take the form of
low conical tubercles. Isolated rounded tubercles on
basal part of thighs. 171. Raorchestes namdaphaensis (Sarkar and
Sanyal, 1985)
Colour: Dorsal surface pale slate-grey irregularly
marked with darker grey and powdered with black. Original Reference:
Dorsal surface of limbs indistinctly barred. Outer Sarkar, A.K. & Sanyal, D.P. 1985. Amphibia in Fauna of
margin of thigh reddish. Ventral surface dirty white. Namdapha National Park. Rec. zool. Surv. Ind., 82(1–
4): 285–295.
Habit: Arboreal.
Common Name: Namdapha Bush Frog.
Habitat: Trees.
Type Locality: Farmbase camp, Namdapha Tiger
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh.
Status: Data deficient.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 26–28
mm). Body short, stout and flattened. Head more or
170. Raorchestes munnarensis (Biju and less triangular, slightly broader than long. Tympanum
Bossuyt, 2009) indistinct. Fore limb fairly stout, with moderate fingers.
Original Reference: Fingers free of webbing, with distinct round discs,
more or less equal to those of toes. Hind limb fairly
Biju, S.D & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
stout, with moderate toes.Toes nearly half-webbed.
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in
Skin of upper surface of head and body smooth or
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
with scattered tubercles. Throat and upper surface
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
of limbs also smooth. Skin granular on the belly and
155: 374–444.
undersurface of thighs. A supratympanic fold from
Common Name: Munnar Bush Frog. back of eye to shoulder.
Type Locality: Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala. Colour: Dorsum dark brown, sometimes speckled
with irregular chocolate spots. A broad white band in
Brief Description: Small–sized frog (length 30–32
between the eyes, covering the anterior part of both
mm in males). Robust body, head shorter than wide,
the upper eyelids. A thin less prominent mid-dorsal
snout rounded, slightly protruding, snout length longer
line starts from the snout and reaches up to the vent.
than eye diameter. Tympanum distinct. Forelimb
Upper surface of limbs dark brown, with indistinct
shorter than hand. Hindlimbs moderately long, shank
cross bars and with a thin line originating from vent
shorter than thigh. Webbing moderate. Dermal fringe
and reaching up to the heel over the femur and tibia.
present on fifth toe. Skin of snout, between eyes, upper
Lateral aspects of thigh, tibia and groin brownish with
eyelids and sides of head, throat, chest, belly and
dark blotches. Ventrum dirty white.
ventral side of thighs granular.
Habit: Arboreal.
Colour: Dorsum light grey with a dark brownish-grey
inverted ‘V’ from the snout to the middle of the body and Habitat: Bushes and shrubs.
minute black spots on the dorsum. Upper eyelids light
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh.
brown, lighter brownish stripe between the eyes. Groin
light brownish-yellow, marbled with brown. Tympanum Status: Data deficient.
dark. Iris uniform coffee-brown. Limbs light brown with
Deuti : Amphibia 119
172. Raorchestes nerostagona (Biju and Type Locality: Kakkayam Forest, Kerala, India.
Bossuyt, 2005)
Brief Description: A small-sized frog diagnosed as
Original Reference: Philautus (Male: 22.1–25.6 mm; Female: 23.3 mm),
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2005. A new species of frog having granular belly, all digits with well differentiated
(Ranidae, Rhacophorinae, Philautus) from the disks bearing circummarginal grooves, body small,
rainforest canopy in the Western Ghats, India. Current elongate, squat and flat; head arched, wider than long;
science, 88(1): 175–178. snout short rounded, equal or sub equal to diameter of
eye; tympanum indistinct but visible;eyes protruding.
Common Name: Canopy Frog. Belly granular, under parts of forearm and thigh granular.
Type Locality: Kalpatta, Wynaad district, Kerala.
Colour: Iris with golden yellow dentition like marks
Brief Description: Small size (SVL 34.0); head broader interspersed in black. Dorsum brown. Golden yellow
than long, snout rounded, nostrils oval, closer to tip of stripe behind eye till groin on both sides.
snout than to eyes; pupils oval, horizontal; tympanum
distinct, rounded; tongue large, emarginate, with a Habit: Arboreal.
pointed papilla; supratympanic fold distinct, from Habitat: Inside hollow tube of Ochlandra reeds in
posterior corner of upper eyelid to base of forelimb; evergreen forest.
Forelimbs shorter than hand; dermal fringe along
the outside of the fore limbs; tips of fingers with Distribution: Kakkayam, Anamalai, Periyar in
disks, oval, with distinct circummarginal grooves; Kerala. Between 700–1000 meters above sea level.
fingers, with lateral dermal fringe moderately webbed. Status: Data deficient.
Hindlimbs moderately long; tips of toes with discs,
rather wide compared to the toe width, with a distinct 174. Raorchestes ponmudi (Biju and Bossuyt, 2005)
circummarginal groove; toes nearly fully webbed; a
distinct dermal fringe along the outside of the hind Original Reference:
limbs, ending with a well-developed spinular projection Biju, S.D. and Bossuyt, F. 2005. New Species of Philautus
on the heel. (Anura: Ranidae, Rhacophorinae) from Ponmudi Hill
Colour: Dorsum and dorsal side of fore- and hind in the Western Ghats of India. Jour Herp., 39(3): 349–
limbs light brown with dark green and reddish-brown 353.
irregular patches of varying size, laterally bluish-black Common Name: Ponmudi Bush Frog.
vermiculated with brown patches; loreal and tympanic
region light brown with irregular light green patches; iris Type Locality: Ponmudi, Kerala.
reddish-grey with a dark brown ring; hands and feet grey; Brief Description: Relatively large-sized bush frog
posterior margins of femur and tibia chocolate brown; (length 39 mm in males and 43 mm in females).
ventrally off-white with various amounts of brown, Body robust. Head wider than long. Snout rounded.
light grey and light yellow spots forming a vermiculated Tympanum distinct. Pupil oval. Forelimb shorter than
pattern; throat grey; lips white with dark bands. hand, finger tips with developed disks having circum-
Habit: Arboreal. marginal grooves. Webbing absent on fingers. Fingers
with dermal fringe on both edges. Hindlimbs long with
Habitat: Tree-canopy and bark. moderate webbing. Dorsum, flank and belly granular.
Distribution: Kerala. Colour: Dorsum light gray-yellow with a few scattered
Status: Endangered. white blotches and minute black spots, a pair of brown
concave stripes running from behind the eye to the
173. Raorchestes ochlandrae (Gururaja, Dinesh, vent, uniting at the middle in a light brown color and
Palot, Radhakrishnan and Ramachandra, 2007) forming an ‘‘X’’ on the back. A light brown inverted
triangular marking between the eyes, extending on the
Original Reference: upper eyelid. Snout light brown, loreal and tympanic
Gururaja, K.V., Dinesh, K.P., Palot, M.J., region light brown, upper eyelid dark gray, groin light
Radhakrishnan, C & Ramachandra, T.V. 2007. A gray with numerous dark brown spots; iris golden
new species of Philautus Gistel (Amphibia: Anura: brownish, encircled by gray ring; lips with brown
Rhacophoridae) from southern Western Ghats, India. bands, forelimbs light brown, with darker spots; hind
Zootaxa, 1621: 1–16. limbs light brown with dark gray cross-bands.
Common Name: Ochlandra-reed Bush Frog. Habit: Arboreal.
120 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Habitat: Canopy or higher parts of evergreen forest Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 24.5
and plantations 5–15 meters above the ground. in males and 28 mm in females). Dorsum with
symmetrical glandular swellings. Glands on shank
Distribution: Anamalai, Valparai in Tamil Nadu;
and posterior part of back. Shank shorter than thigh.
Agasthyamala, Ponmudi, Gavi, Vagaman, Kalpetta,
Tympanum distinct. Belly coarsely granular.
Wayanad in Kerala; Honey valley, Coorg, Kudremukh,
Agumbe, Vallur, Kathalekan in Karnataka. Between Colour: Dorsum is deep brick red, which sharply
550–1500 meters above sea level. contrasts with the black filling irregular furrows on
the dorsum; the dorsal parts of limbs, fingers, toes and
Status: Critically Endangered.
tips are uniform deep brick red; glandular swellings
are surrounded with black patches; posterior lateral
175. Raorchestes ravii Zachariah, Dinesh, abdominal area, groin and inner side of the thighs are
Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot & black; ventral side light yellow, with irregular oval to
Kalesh, 2011 hexagonal granulations. Iris reddish-brown.
Original Reference: Habit: Ground-dwelling.
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E., Das, S.,
Habitat: On ground, among moss-covered rock
Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J & Kalesh, S.
amidst bamboo vegetation of high hill. Altitude 2695
2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes
meters above sea level.
(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern
Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1): 25–48. Status: Critically Endangered.
Common Name: Ravi’s Bush Frog.
177. Raorchestes sahai (Sarkar and Ray, 2006)
Type Locality: Naduvattam (11° 23′N 76°34′E;
1890m.a.s.l), Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu. Original Reference:
Sarkar, A.K. & Ray, S. 2006. Amphibia in Fauna of
Brief Description: Small adult size(SVL 23.32–
Arunachal Pradesh. Zool Surv Ind. State Fauna Series.,
23.35 mm); head width larger than head length; snout
13(1): 285–316.
sharply pointed, sub equal to eye length; tympanum
indistinct; forelimb smaller than hand; shank Common Name: Saha’s Bush Frog.
sub equal to thigh length; subarticular tubercles
Type Locality: Gandhigram, Namdapha Tiger
prominent, in forelimbs and hind limbs; disc well
Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh.
developed and distinct.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 25–26
Colour: Upper part of nostril, canthus rostralis and
mm). Head a little broader than long. Snout rounded.
region of supra tympanic fold dark brown; dorsum
Tympanum distinct, about half the eye diameter. Fore
with a faint ‘H’ brown mark; iris golden brown in
limb fairly stout, with moderate fingers. Fingers free of
colour.
webbing, with distinct round discs, larger than those
Habit: Arboreal. of toes. Hind limb fairly stout, with moderate toes.
Toes nearly half-webbed. Skin of head, back and upper
Habitat: Low bushes.
surface of limbs smooth with scattered small tubercles,
Distribution: Tamil Nadu. granular on belly and undersurface of thighs, throat
Status: Data deficient. and breast smooth. A supratympanic fold from back of
eye to shoulder. A little skin flap around the vent.
176. Raorchestes resplendens Biju, Shouche, Dubois, Colour: Dorsum grey to brown. A dorso-lateral white
Dutta and Bossuyt, 2010 band on either side, extending from posterior region of
eyes and ending posteriorly near the vent. Limbs dark
Original Reference: brown to grey. Eyes blackish. Ventrum dirty white.
Biju, S.D., Shouche, Y., Dubois, A., Dutta, S.K. & A dark narrow line originating from the inter-orbital
Bossuyt, F. 2010. A ground-dwelling rhacophorid frog region and extending posteriorly to the hindmost part
from the highest mountain peak of the Western Ghats of the body.
in India. Current Science., 98(8): 1119–1125.
Habit: Arboreal.
Common Name: Resplendent Bush Frog.
Habitat: Tree-holes about 2–3 meters above ground
Type Locality: Anamudi, Kerala. and also undergrowth of bushes and shrubs.
Deuti : Amphibia 121
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh. rather pointed. Eyes with horizontal pupil. Tympanum
distinct. Males with large vocal sac. Forelimbs thin and
Status: Data deficient.
long. Fingers free, toes with rudimentary webbing. All
178. Raorchestes sanctisilvaticus (Das and digits with discs. Belly with numerous warts. A distinct
Chanda, 1997) lateral longitudinal fold running from axilla to forepart
of the thigh.
Original Reference:
Colour: Dorsally varying from brown to grey. Upper
Das, I & Chanda, S.K. 1997. Philautus sanctisilvaticus
eyelids black with a thin dark band connecting the
(Anura: Rhacophoridae), a new frog from the Sacred
eyelids. A V-shaped broad band of lighter colour, its base
groves of Amarkantak, central India. Hamadryad.,
on level with the forelimbs and the two arms directing
22(1): 21–27.
towards the eye. A dark narrow band extending from
Common Name: Sacred groove bush frog. hind margin of eye towards the forelimb. Limbs cross-
Type Locality: Kapildhara falls, Amarkantak, Madhya barred. Ventrally pale white.
Pradesh. Habit: Arboreal.
Brief Description: Small-sized, relatively robust Habitat: Inhabit bushes, shrubs and rock-fissures in
looking with a narrow waist. Head is short but coniferous and sub-tropical broadleaf forest between
wider than long, snout flattened. Eyes are large but altitudes of 800–1400 meters, thickets and grasses on
tympanum is extremely small almost concealed. A forest edges.
supratympanic fold commences from posterior corner
of eye, passing over the tympanum and dipping down Distribution: Khasi hills, Meghalaya.
to cross over at the insertion of the forelimb. Tips of Status: Critically Endangered.
fingers dilated into large, rounded and flattened disks
with distinct circum-marginal grooves. Fingers are not 180. Raorchestes signatus (Boulenger, 1882)
webbed. Tips of toes dilated into flattened disks with Original Reference:
circum-marginal grooves. Disks on toes are as large as
those on the fingers. Webbing on toes is less. Dorsum Boulenger, G.A. 1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia,
of body with plenty of small irregular tubercles Throat, Salientia & Eucaudata in the collection of the British
abdominal region and undersurface of thighs are with Museum. Taylor & Francis, London. Pg 106.
large and flattened tubercles. Common Name: Cross-backed Bush Frog.
Colour: Dorsum is deep brownish, unpatterned but Type Locality: Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
fore-head is slightly darker than the rest of the body. Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 35
Throat is light brown. The fore and hind limbs are mm in males and 40 mm in females). Snout rounded.
banded with dark brown. Tympanum distinct. Dorsum, flanks and belly granular.
Habit: Arboreal. Colour: Eyes brown with radiating golden stripes.
Habitat: Bushes besides waterfalls. Dorsum greyish brown with a prominent ‘X’ dark
brown marking.
Distribution: Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
Habit: Arboreal.
Status: Data deficient.
Habitat: On shrubs and trees about 4 meters above
the ground in evergreen to moist deciduous forest and
179. Raorchestes shillongensis (Pillai and
shola areas.
Chanda, 1973)
Distribution: Nilgiris, Avalanche, Coonoor, Kothagiri
Original Reference:
Udagamandalam, Parsons valley, Naduvattam in Tamil
Pillai, R.S. & Chanda, S.K. 1973. Philautus shillongensis, Nadu. Between 1500–2335 meters above sea level.
a new frog (Ranidae) from Meghalaya, India. Proc Ind
Acad Sci., 78(B1): 30–36. Status: Endangered.
Common Name: Shillong Bush Frog. 181. Raorchestes similipalensis (Dutta, 2003)
Type Locality: Malki forest, Shillong, Khasi hills, Original Reference:
Meghalaya.
Dutta, S.K. 2003. A new species of Rhacophorid
Brief Description: Very small-sized frog (length frog from Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa, India.
15–20 mm). Head slightly broader than long. Snout Russian Jour Herp., 10(1): 25–32.
122 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Simlipal Bush Frog. 183. Raorchestes terebrans (Das and Chanda, 1998)
Type Locality: Gurguria, Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, Original Reference:
Orissa. Das, I. & Chanda, S.K. 1998. A new species of Philautus
(Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Eastern Ghats,
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 14–21
south-eastern India. J. South Asian nat Hist., 3(1):
mm). Body slender with a narrow waist. Eyes large,
103–112.
tympanum concealed. Nostrils oval and lateral. Head
wider than long, supra-tympanic fold present. Tips of Common Name: Terrible Bush frog.
toes dilated into flattened disks with grooves. Webbing Type Locality: Peddavalasa, Vishakapatnam district,
on toe IV broad up to subarticular tubercle on inner side, Andhra Pradesh.
reaching base of disks as a narrow sheath on both sides.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 15–21
Dorsum and upper eyelids with minute scattered conical
mm). Body robust with a narrow waist. Head wider
tubercles. Throat and under surface of eye smooth.
than long. Snout flattened, nostrils closer to tip of snout.
Colour: Dorsum pale brick to brownish with a dark Supra-tympanic fold from corner of eye to forelimb.
brown polygonal shaped occipital patch and two dark Tympanum small. Tips of fingers dilated into large,
brown lines from posterior border of eyes to mid-body. rounded and flattened disks with circum-marginal
Both fore and hind limbs deep brown with dark bands. grooves. Fingers unwebbed. Reduced webbing on
Venter dull white, throat with or without minute dark toes. Webbing on toe IV reaches midway between
dots. proximal and basal subarticular tubercle as a broad
web. Dorsum uniformly scattered with white-tipped
Habit: Arboreal. pustules. Abdominal region as well as undersurface of
Habitat: Below rotten Sal leaves near boulders on thighs coarsely granular.
river bank. Colour: Unpatterned brownish grey dorsally, fore
Distribution: Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa. and hind limbs banded with dark brown. A dark
interorbital bar present. Tips of digits of fore and hind
Status: Data deficient. limbs cream. Throat brownish, abdominal regions
with brown variegations.
182. Raorchestes sushili (Biju and Bossuyt, 2009)
Habit: Arboreal.
Original Reference:
Habitat: Bushes.
Biju, S.D. & Bossuyt, F. 2009. Systematics and phylogeny
of Philautus Gistel, 1848 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Distribution:
Vishakapatnam district, Andhra
the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12 Pradesh.
new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Status: Data deficient.
155: 374–444.
Common Name: Sushil’s Bush Frog. 184. Raorchestes theuerkaufi Zachariah, Dinesh,
Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot &
Type Locality: Andiparai Shola, Valparai, Tamil Kalesh, 2011
Nadu.
Original Reference:
Brief Description: Medium adult size (SVL 24.9 ±
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E., Das, S.,
2.3 mm, male); slender to elongate body; head wider
Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J & Kalesh, S.
than long; snout oval in dorsal view; shank longer than
2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes
thigh, ventral side of limbs coarsely granular.
(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern
Colour: Lateral side of abdomen light grey with white Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1): 25–48.
spots; anterior and posterior part of thighs and groin
Common Name:
dark brown.
Type Locality: Kadalar tea estate (10°07′N 77°01′E,
Habit: Arboreal.
1393m. a.s.l) near KFDC plantation, Idukki district,
Habitat: Leaves and stem of undergrowth. Kerala
Distribution: Valparai, Tamil Nadu. Brief Description: adult size medium (SVL 25.19–
33.44); head width larger than head length; snout
Status: Critically Endangered.
sharply pointed, larger than eye length; tympanum
Deuti : Amphibia 123
indistinct; forelimb smaller than hand, no lateral Common Name: Spotted Bush Frog.
dermal fringe; shank larger than the thigh length;
Type Locality: Ooty lake, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiri,
subarticular tubercles prominent, in forelimbs and
Tamil Nadu.
hind limbs; disc well developed.
Brief Description: small adult size (male SVL 20.5
Colour: Upper part of the nostril, canthus rostralis,
± 1.8 mm; female SVL 26.8 mm ± 1.6 mm); shank
loreal region and region of supra tympanic fold dark
very short; lateral side coarsely granular; tibiotarsal
brown; dorsum highly glandular, brick red in colour
articulation reaches below the level of the eye.
without any specific pattern; iris copper coloured.
Habit: Arboreal. Colour: Flanks and groin dark-brownish black; first
two fingers yellow.
Habitat: Leaf litter.
Habit: Arboreal.
Distribution: Kerala.
Habitat: Shrubs.
Status: Data deficient.
Distribution : Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu.
185. Raorchestes thodai Zachariah, Dinesh, Status: Endangered.
Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot &
Kalesh, 2011 187. Raorchestes travancoricus (Boulenger, 1891)
Original Reference: Original Reference:
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E., Das, S., Boulenger, G.A. 1891. Description of a new species
Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J & Kalesh, S. of frog obtained by Mr. H.S. Ferguson in Travancore,
2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes southern India. J. Bombay nat Hist Soc., 6: 450.
(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern
Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1): 25–48. Common Name: Travancore Bush Frog.
Common Name: Thoda bush frog. Type Locality: Bodinayakanur, Tamil Nadu.
Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 25 mm in
Type Locality: Ooty (Udhagamandalam) town (11° 24′
males and 30 mm in females). Snout oval. Tympanum
N; 76° 40′ E; 1980 m.a.s.l), Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu.
indistinct. Dorsum shagreened. Skin granular on thighs.
Brief Description: Large-sized high altitude Raorchestes Colour: Brown streak from loreal to tympanic region.
with prominent spinules and highly glandular body.Llarge Dorsum with three brown longitudinal lines.
adult size (SVL 33.65–34.13 mm); head width larger
than head. Length; snout sharply pointed, larger than eye Habit: Arboreal.
length; tympanum distinct; forelimb smaller than hand, Habitat: On shrubs and leaf litter 1 meter above the
no lateral dermal fringe; shank smaller than thigh length; ground in tea plantations and secondary vegetation.
subarticular tubercles prominent in forelimbs and hind
limbs; disc well developed and distinct. Distribution: Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu;
Vandiperiyar and Vagaman in Kerala. Between 350–
Colour: Upper part of nostril, canthus rostralis and 900 meters above sea level.
region of supra tympanic fold dark brown; dorsum
Status: Data deficient.
golden yellow with a pair of faint thin dorsolateral
brown bands; discs buff coloured, iris golden brown.
188. Raorchestes tuberohumerus (Kuramoto and
Habit: Arboreal. Joshy,2003)
Habitat: Bushes. Original Reference:
Distribution: Tamil Nadu. Kuramoto, M & Joshy, S.H. 2003. Two new species of
Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western
Status: Data deficient.
Ghats, southwestern India. Current Herp., 22(2):
51–60.
186. Raorchestes tinniens (Jerdon, 1853)
Common Name: Knob-handed Shrub Frog.
Original Reference:
Type Locality: Kudremukh, Karnataka.
Jerdon, T.C. 1853. Catalogue of reptiles inhabiting the
Peninsula of India. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 22: 533. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 22 mm
124 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
in males and 24 mm in females). Snout sub-elliptical. Common Name: Kalakkad Tree Frog.
Projection on humerus bone. Dorsum with spinular
Type Locality: Kalakkad hills, Tamil Nadu.
projections.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 90 mm).
Colour: Iris golden-brown. Dorsum light brown to
Skin on dorsum, hind limb, fore limb with tubercles.
grey. Flank and groin with yellow patches on brown
Skin flap along hand and feet. Spur on the heel.
background.
Colour: Dorsum light brown to reddish brown. Flank
Habit: Arboreal.
mottled with white on brown background.
Habitat: Shrubs 1–2 meters above ground in
Habit: Arboreal.
plantations and evergreen forests and roadside
vegetation. Habitat: Trees and understory forest along streams in
moist evergreen forest.
Distribution: Wayanad, Muthanga in Kerala; Madikeri,
Kudremukh, Agumbe, Jog, Sakleshpur, Kempholey, Anshi Distribution: Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
in Karnataka. Between 550–1500 meters above sea level. in Tamil Nadu; Agasthyamala hills and Munnar in
Kerala.
Status: Data deficient.
Status: Endangered.
189. Raorchestes uthumani Zachariah, Dinesh,
Kunhikrishnan, Das, Raju, Radhakrishnan, Palot & 191. Rhacophorus lateralis Boulenger, 1883
Kalesh, 2011 Original Reference:
Original Reference: Boulenger, G.A. 1883. Ann Mag Nat Hist., 5, 12: 162.
Zachariah, A., Dinesh, K.P, Kunhikrishnan, E., Das, S., Common Name: Small Tree Frog.
Raju, V.D., Radhakrishnan, C., Palot, M.J & Kalesh, S.
2011. Nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes Type Locality: ‘Malabar’.
(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern
Western Ghats, India. Biosystematica., 5(1): 25–48. Brief Description: Small-sized frog (length 35 mm).
Long and slender limbs. Lateral extension of skin from
Common Name: Uthuman’s Reed Frog. shoulder to hand along the arm. Tympanum large and
Type Locality: Gavi, adjoining the KFDC cardamom distinct. Fingers half-webbed and toes fully webbed.
plantation (09° 26′N; 77° 09′E; 1000m. a.s.l), Discs on fingers and toes are large. Wrinkled webbing.
Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Colour: Green dorsum with spots. Lateral white line
Brief Description: small adult size (SVL 20.01–21.34 on either side from the eye to the groin. Ventrum
mm); head width sub-equal to head length; snout yellowish-orange and spotted with green along the
obtusely pointed, sub equal to eye length; tympanum sides. Legs finely streaked with green bands. Yellow
distinct; forelimb sub-equal to hand, no lateral dermal patch on the heel.
fringe; shank sub-equal to thigh length; subarticular
tubercles prominent, in forelimbs and hind limbs; disc Habit: Arboreal.
well developed and distinct. Habitat: Lower canopy and shrubs in evergreen and
Colour: Dorsum uniform glandular with pinkish moist deciduous forest and coffee plantations.
yellow colour; disc tips brown colour; irissilvery white Distribution: Wayanad, Periyar, Eravikulum National
with thin black reticulations. Park in Kerala; Coorg, Kudremukh, Chikmagalur in
Habit: Arboreal. Karnataka.
Habitat: Reeds in cardamom plantations. Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Kerala.
192. Rhacophorus malabaricus Jerdon, 1870
Status: Data deficient.
Original Reference:
190. Rhacophorus calcadensis Ahl, 1927 Jerdon, T.C. 1870. Notes on Indian Herpetology. Proc
Asiat Soc Beng., 1870: 84.
Original Reference:
Common Name: Malabar Gliding Frog.
Ahl, E. 1927. Sitzungsber Ges Naturforsch Freunde
Berlin., 1926: 46. Type Locality: ‘Malabar’.
Deuti : Amphibia 125
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 110 mm). 194. Rhacophorus subansiriensis Mathew and
Tympanum large. Skin flap along fore and hind limb. Sen, 2009
Spur on the heel. Extensive wrinkled webbing between
Original Reference:
fingers and toes.
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on little known
Colour: Green dorsum, speckled with black and amphibian species of North-east India. Zool Surv Ind.,
white dots. Reddish or yellowish-orange webbing in Occ Paper, 293: 1–64 + 23 plates.
both hand and feet. Ventrum white, turning to orange
along the sides and margins of the limbs. Common Name: Ziro-Hapoli Tree Frog.
Habit: Arboreal. Type Locality: Ziro-Hapoli Forest, Lower Subansiri
district, Arunachal Pradesh.
Habitat: Trees, shrubs near stagnant water bodies
and on overhanging vegetation in both evergreen and Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 37–39
deciduous forest, coffee and tea plantations. mm). Head broader than long. Snout acutely pointed.
Eye prominent. Pupil horizontal. Tympanum large,
Distribution: All along the Western coast. Up to 1200 vertically oval, 75% of eye diameter. Supratympanic
meters altitude. fold present. Forelimbs moderate. Fingers extensively
Status: Least Concern. webbed. Narrow dermal fringe extends along lateral
margin of fourth finger to base of hand. Finger tips
193. Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus Vasudevan with enlarged circum-marginal groove. Hind limbs
and Dutta, 2000 slender. Toes fully webbed. Thick dermal fringe from
fifth toe extends along lateral edge of tarsus to heel.
Original Reference:
Colour: Dorsum varies from brownish yellow to
Vasudevan, K. & Dutta, S.K. 2000. A new species greenish yellow with dark irregular markings all over
of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the and indistinct pin-head size black spots. Lips white.
Western Ghats, India. Hamadryad., 25(1): 21–28. Limbs with dark cross bands. Ventrally belly, forelimbs
Common Name: False Malabar Gliding Frog. and web on fingers yellowish. Hind limb and web
reddish orange.
Type Locality: Andiparai Shola, Indira Gandhi WLS,
Tamil Nadu. Habit: Arboreal.
Habitat: Trees.
Brief Description: Large-sized frog (length 70 mm).
Head length equal to head width. Eye diameter greater Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh.
than eye to nostril distance. Tympanum indistinct, Status: Data deficient.
much smaller than eye. Fingers over two-third webbed.
Toes fully webbed. Skin flap present along outer margin
195. Rhacophorus suffry Bordoloi, Bortamuli, and
of feet. Spur on the heel. No outer metatarsal tubercle.
Ohler, 2007
Dorsal side of body and limbs smooth. Supra-tympanic
fold weak. Granular skin on outer side of thigh, inner Original Reference:
side of thigh smooth. Bordoloi, S., Bortamuli, T & Ohler, A. 2007. Systematics
of the genus Rhacophorus (Amphibia, Anura): identity
Colour: Black lines on green dorsum, hind limbs
of red-webbed forms and description of a new species
and fore limbs. A dorsal pattern reminiscent of leaf
from Assam. Zootaxa., 1653: 1–20.
venation on a green dorsum and on dorsal surface of
limbs. Yellowish orange wrinkled webbing in hand and Common Name: Suffry Tree Frog.
feet. Flanks with white mottling.
Type Locality: Suffry Tea Estate, Assam.
Habit: Arboreal. Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length
38–52 mm in males and 31–61 mm in females). Head
Habitat: On vegetation near water bodies in evergreen moderate, about as wide as long and flat above. Snout
and degraded forests. rounded, protruding, longer than eye diameter. Pupil
Distribution: Andiparai Shola and Puduthottam in rounded and horizontal. Tympanum very distinct and
Tamil Nadu. rounded. Arms thin, forearm not enlarged. Fingers
rather short and thick. Discs present on finger tips,
Status: Critically Endangered.
with distinct circum-ventral grooves. Webbing present
126 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
and well developed. Toes long and thin. Discs present Habit: Arboreal.
on toe tips, with distinct circum-ventral grooves.
Habitat: Residential area with trees.
Webbing complete. Skin of snout smooth, between eyes
granular, side of head smooth with very fine granules. Distribution: Tseminyu village, north of Kohima,
Back with minute granules and skin folds. Supra- Nagaland.
tympanic fold narrow and flat. Forelimb smooth, thigh Status: Data deficient.
granular, leg and tarsus smooth. Skin of ventral part of
body granular.
Order: GYMNOPHIONA
Colour: Dorsal and lateral part of head and body Family: CHIKILIDAE
leafy green. Flank and upper part leafy green lined
with light yellow colour. Lower part light green with 197. Chikila fulleri (Alcock, 1904)
few, creamy white scattered spots. Iris yellowish gold.
Forelimb, thigh, and leg leafy green. Original Reference:
Alcock, A.W. 1904. Descriptions and reflections upon
Habit: Arboreal.
a new species of apodous amphibian from India. Ann.
Habitat: Trees. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser 7, 14: 267–273.
Distribution: Assam. Common Name: Fuller’s Caecilian.
Status: Least Concern. Type Locality: Kuttal, 6 km south-west of Silchar,
Cachar, Assam.
196. Theloderma nagalandense Orlov, Dutta, Ghate, Brief Description: Fairly large (length 220 mm). The
and Kent, 2006 body is 27 times the size of the head. The worm-like
Original Reference: body gradually increases in girth from the base of
the snout to a point near the stump-like hinder end.
Orlov, N., Dutta, S.K., Ghate, H.V. & Kent, Y. 2006. Behind the head, the integument forms 101 rings.
New species of Theloderma from Kon Tum province Secondary annuli present. The snout is long and sharp
(Vietnam) and Nagaland State (India) [Anura: and overhangs the mouth. The mouth cleft is wide. The
Rhacophoridae]. Russian J. Herp., 13(2): 135–154. nostril is lateral and just behind the snout. On a slight
Common Name: Nagaland Tree Frog. eminence is a minute globular tentacle, surrounded by
a ring-like groove, situated below and posterior to the
Type Locality: Tseminyu village, north of Kohima, nostril. No eyes are visible.
Nagaland.
Colour: Snout and lips yellowish. Head light brown.
Brief Description: Medium-sized frog (length 53 The rest of the body is chocolate-brown, becoming
mm). Body wide, dorsoventrally depressed. Head almost black dorsally in its posterior part. The extreme
relatively large, short, flat, obtusely pointed, projecting edges of most of the rings are also blackish.
beyond mandible. Snout pointed and truncated.
Nostrils nearer to snout tip than to the eyes. Tympanum Habit: Fossorial.
large, round, almost equal to eye diameter. Eye large. Habitat: Lives under the soil. Oviparous with direct
Supratympanic fold absent. Finger tips dilated into development.
large, rounded and flattened disks. Largest digital disk
Distribution: Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh,
on third finger. Webbing between fingers moderately
Nagaland and Tripura.
developed. Toes with rounded disks, smaller than
those on the fingers. Toes fully webbed. Head and body Status: Data deficient.
covered by large raised crests and tubercles, which are
especially large on the head, behind tympanum and Family: CAECILIIDAE
on the dorsal surface of fore and hind limbs. Belly
granular. 198. Gegeneophis carnosus (Beddome, 1870)
Colour: Large orange red patches dorsally, dark Original Reference:
brown to black ventrally. Elevated ridges and warts
on the head, thigh and shank cream coloured. White Beddome, R.H. 1870. Description of new reptiles from
tipped tubercles on throat, inner aspects of fore and the Madras Presidency. Madras Month Jour Med Sci.,
hind limbs. 2: 169–176.
Deuti : Amphibia 127
Common Name: Blind Caecilian. grooves are mostly marked in a whitish colour, being
particularly clear laterally. The whitish colouration is
Type Locality: Periah peak, Wynad.
interrupted along much of the ventral midline and
Brief Description: A small caecilian, maximum length part of the dorsal midline.
280 mm. About 105–115 primary folds including 7–10 Habit: Fossorial.
secondaries. Body width nearly equal throughout. Eye
not visible externally, tentacular aperture below and a Habitat: Under rocks.
little behind nostril. Splenial teeth few. The two collars Distribution: Maharashtra.
are distinct. First nuchal groove distinct on ventral and Status: Data deficient.
lateral sides, while second groove is distinct all around.
Scales are present in last 30 folds. 200. Gegeneophis goaensis Bhatta, Dinesh, Prashanth
Colour: Slate colour above, much paler on venter. and Kulkarni, 2007
Tentacular area with a lighter patch. Tip of snout pale. Original Reference:
Folds are marked by dark lines.
Bhatta, G.K.., Dinesh, K.P., Prashanth, P. & Kulkarni,
Habit: Fossorial. N.U. 2007. A new species of Gegeneophis Peters
Habitat: In soil. (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caecilidae) from Goa,
India. Zootaxa., 1409: 51–59.
Distribution: Karnataka and Kerala.
Common Name: Goa Caecilian.
Status: Data deficient.
Type Locality: Keri village, Sattari Taluk, North Goa
district, Goa.
199. Gegeneophis danieli Giri, Wilkinson and
Gower, 2003 Brief Description: A Gegeneophis differing from all
other species in having a combination of more than
Original Reference: 120 primary annuli, more than 75 of which are marked
Giri, V., Wilkinson, M & Gower, D. 2003. A new species with secondary annular grooves. The body is sub-
of Gegeneophis Peters (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: cylindrical and slightly dorsoventrally compressed.
Caecilidae) from southern Maharashtra, India, with a The specimen measures 185 mm in length and 14
key to the species of the genus. Zootaxa., 351: 1–10. mm in circumference at midbody. The body is almost
Common Name: Daniel’s Caecilian. uniform in its width throughout the length. The
minute sub-circular nostrils are slightly closer to the
Type Locality:
Amboli, Sindhudurg district, level of the snout tip (0.4 mm). The nostrils are 1.0 mm
Maharashtra. apart, visible dorsally and laterally but not ventrally.
18 premaxillary-maxillary, 19 vomeropalatine, 17
Brief Description: Differing from all other species dentary, and 4 splenial teeth. The teeth in all four
of the genus in having many more secondary annuli series are recurved and monocusped. They are smaller
(> 50) that are strongly edged in white and present on posteriorly than anteriorly. The tongue is broadly
both the anterior and posterior halves of the body. The rounded in dorsal view and unattached anteriorly The
head tapers gently from the level of the occiput to the nuchal region is broader and higher than the adjacent
tentacular apertures. The snout tip is bluntly rounded. parts of the body. The two nuchal collars are marked
The eyes are faintly indicated. The tentacles are clearly by three nuchal grooves.
globular rather than elongate.The tongue is smoothly
rounded and unattached anteriorly. The two nuchal Colour: The body is blackish grey on the dorsal
collars are marked clearly by three nuchal grooves. surface which merges gradually with the light grey on
The first collar bears two short transverse grooves, the ventral surface. The annular grooves are of whitish
one middorsally and one midventrally. The second colouration and more prominent laterally. The entire
nuchal groove (between the first and second collars) dorsal surface of the head including the snout tip is
is complete. The third nuchal groove, marking the end light cream coloured. The under surface of the lower
of the nuchal collar region, is continuous except for a jaw is yellowish white in colour up to the second nuchal
midventral gap. groove. The disc surrounding the vent is whitish.
Colour: Generally steel grey. The dorsal surface is Habit: Fossorial.
darker in colour and also somewhat lavender. The Habitat: Rotting vegetation at the base of saplings c.
darker dorsal surface merges gradually with the 5 m from a small river in a mixed orchard of arecanut,
lighter ventral surface. The annular and nuchal collar banana, coconut, acacia and pepper.
128 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
and are visible dorsally and laterally. Each tentacle lies a ventral surfaces of the hind end of the body are darker
little below an imaginary line between the nostril and eye. than the rest of the body. The skin is with profuse white
The eyes lie beneath the bone and are visible in life. 21 glandules all over the body.
premaxillary–maxillary, 20 vomeropalatine, 14 dentary Habit: Fossorial.
and four splenial teeth. The teeth in all four series are
generally recurved and are monocusped. Habitat: heap of rotting elephant grass at a distance
ca. 5 m from a cement-walled stream.
Colour: Dark brown throughout with the exception
of the whitish annular grooves and the head, which was Distribution: Goa.
pinkish-brown with are cream eye-tentacle stripe. The Status: Data deficient.
skin contains whitish glands throughout the body. In
preservation, the body is grey throughout. The annular 205. Gegeneophis pareshi Giri, Gower, Gaikwad and
grooves are whitish and more prominent laterally and Wilkinson, 2011
posteriorly. The under surface of the lower jaw is off- Original Reference:
white in colour up to the second nuchal groove. The disc
Giri, V., Gower, D., Gaikwad, K. & Wilkinson, M. 2011.
surrounding the vent is a similar tone to the body colour.
A second species of Gegeneophis Peters (Amphibia:
Habit: Fossorial. Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) lacking secondary annular
Habitat: In soil near marshy area. grooves. Zootaxa., 2815: 49–58.
Distribution: Karnataka. Common Name: Paresh’s Caecilian.
Status: Data deficient. Type Locality: Village of Kuske near Cotigaon
Wildlife Sanctuary, Canacona Taluka, South Goa
204. Gegeneophis nadkarnii Bhatta and District, Goa.
Prashanth, 2004
Brief Description: A Gegeneophis differing from G.
Original Reference: seshachari in having many more primary annuli (>
Bhatta, G.K. & Prashanth, P. 2004. Gegeneophis 140 vs < 130) and in having a largely unpigmented
nadkarnii – a caecilian (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: and very pale head and anterior of body, and from all
Caeciliidae) from Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Western other nominal species of Gegeneophis in lacking scales
Ghats. Curr Sci., 87(3): 388–392. and secondary annular grooves, and in having the
vent situated within an unsegmented terminal ‘shield’.
Common Name: Nadkarni’s Caecilian. Nuchal region scarcely more massive than head and
Type Locality: Bondla WLS, Goa. anterior body.
Brief Description: The body shape is subcylindrical Colour: Head cream to pale tan. Pigmentation largely
and slightly dorsoventrally compressed. It is mostly of absent on head and anterior of body, anteriormost
uniform width, although slightly narrower anteriorly. approximately seven annuli very pale, pigmentation
Posteriorly, the body tapers strongly towards the stronger posteriorly. Dorsum of body darker than
terminus. In dorsal view, the head tapers gently from venter, without abrupt transition laterally. Midventral
the level of the occiput to the tentacular apertures. But darker narrow line on anterior half of body. Tip of
anterior to this, the head tapers more strongly and ends body terminus pale. Disc around vent slightly paler
in a bluntly rounded snout tip. In lateral view, the top but denticulations with some peripheral pigmentation.
of the head is straight and the margin of the upper lip Habit: Fossorial.
slightly arched. The snout projects 1.4 mm beyond the
mouth. The small, circular nostrils are 1.9 mm apart, Habitat: Moist soil under a large tree and under
visible dorsally and laterally but not ventrally. The piles of compost in an open area behind houses in the
tentacles are globular. The tentacular apertures are lateral village.
in position. The eyes, which are scarcely visible under Distribution: Goa.
the bones in life, are invisible. The tongue is rounded,
unattached anteriorly and is separated by a groove. Status: Data deficient.
Colour: The body is dark, slaty-grey coloured on the 206. Gegeneophis ramaswamii Taylor, 1964
dorsal surface and light grey on the ventral surface. Original Reference:
The head is of body colour with a light pink bar
between the tentacle and the position of the eye. The Taylor, E.H. 1964. A new species of caecilian from
tip of the snout, the lower jaw and the ventral surface India (Amphibia: Gymnophiona). Senck Biol., 45
of the first collar are pinkish in colour. The dorsal and (3–5): 227–231.
130 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Ramaswami’s Caecilian. underside of the lower jaw are a little paler than the
rest of the body, approaching a cream-tan colour.
Type Locality: Tenmalai forest, Kerala.
Dorsally, the head is less grey and more olive than
Brief Description: Long (length 340 mm) and thick most of the body. The upper lip has a narrow border
body. Tail end wider. Tentacle behind and below paler than most of the head. Eye and tentacle are
nostril, primaries and secondaries together from 109– connected by a broad, slightly paler stripe. The naris
114. Head rather small, narrower than collar. Nostril is surrounded by a similarly pale halo. Anterior to
small. Collars distinct, the first collar narrower than the level of the tentacles, the tip of the lower jaw is
the second. Each collar partially divided above by an pale. The lower jaw also has pale, narrow lateral
incomplete transverse fold. borders. The vent and disc are the same colour as the
Colour: Flesh colour with a hint of pink. Anterior surrounding region.
part of head and lower lips are darker and pinkish. Habit: Fossorial.
Vent area with a cream patch.
Habitat: Under soil.
Habit: Fossorial.
Distribution: Maharashtra.
Habitat: Under soil.
Status: Data deficient.
Distribution: Kerala.
Status: Least Concern. 208. Indotyphlus battersbyi Taylor, 1960
Original Reference:
207. Gegeneophis seshachari Ravichandran, Gower Taylor, E.H. 1960. A new caecilian genus in India.
and Wilkinson, 2003 Univ. Kansas. Sci. Bull., 40: 31–36.
Original Reference: Common Name: Battersby’s Caecilian.
Ravichandran, M.S., Gower, D. & Wilkinson, M.
2003. A new species of Gegeneophis Peters (Amphibia: Type Locality: Khandala, Poona, Maharashtra.
Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) from Maharashtra, India. Brief Description: In colour, shape and size it
Zootaxa, 350: 1–8. resembles earthworms. Body slender. Eye hidden
Common Name: Seshachar’s Caecilian. under flesh, usually invisible. Tentacular aperture on
level with eye, nearer to it than to nostril. Primary folds
Type Locality: Dorle village, Ratnagiri district, 130–144. Secondaries from 17–32 of which 9–10 are
Maharashtra. complete. Behind the collars are primary folds which
Brief Description: The posterior of the head is are quite prominent below and on sides but incomplete
slightly narrower than the nuchal region. The lateral on the dorsum. Secondary folds begin towards the
margins are almost straight and subparallel for most of posterior end of the body, faintly first and then getting
their length. The positions of the tentacular apertures to encircle the body. Vent transverse, no tail. No
are visible as strong bulges. The snout in front of this grooves behind vent, hind end blunt.
is subtriangular, with the tip forming an angle of Colour: Light brown on the dorsum and lighter below.
approximately 60º, gently rounded only at the extreme
apex. The snout projects moderately (0.7 mm) beyond Habit: Fossorial.
the anterior margin of the mouth. The well-developed Habitat: Under rocks.
eye, within which a lens is visible. The globular tentacle
is associated with a horseshoe-shaped aperture. The 18 Distribution: Maharashtra.
dentary and 21 premaxillary-maxillary teeth appear to
Status: Data deficient.
be monocusped. A second cusp is faintly indicated on
the vomeropalatine teeth, of which 10 were counted
on the left side. The tongue is not attached anteriorly, 209. Indotyphlus maharashtraensis Giri, Gower and
where it is broadly rounded in dorsal view. Wilkinson, 2004
Common Name: Maharashtra Caecilian. mouth. Rostral region concave. Eye distinct, placed
higher than level of nostril. Tentacular aperture closer
Type Locality: Humbarli village, Koyna, Satara
to eye than to nostril. Collars prominent. One dorsal
district, Maharashtra.
transverse groove on second collar. Tail narrows down
Brief Description: Body shape is subcylindrical, to a pointed tip.
slightly dorsoventrally compressed throughout most of
Colour: Dorsally lavender, paler below. A broad
the body. Distinctly flattened on the ventral surface for
creamish lateral stripe from head to tail, which
approximately the terminal 20 mm. It is fairly uniform
broadens on collar forming an arrow shape at the gular
in width, but gently narrowing in the anterior fifth.
region then extends on to lower jaw and partly to the
The body also narrows gradually for its posterior third,
upper jaw. Posteriorly the stripe extends beyond vent
narrowing strongly in lateral view from just anterior
but does not touch the tip of the tail.
to the level of the vent. The head tapers strongly from
the level of the occiput to the external nares, with a Habit: Fossorial.
slight bulging in the region of the tentacles. Anterior Habitat: Forest floor strewn with stones near river
to the nares, it terminates in a rounded, narrow snout bed.
tip. The eyes are visible through the skin as small dark
spots. The tentacles are short and globular (i.e. non- Distribution: Garo hills, Meghalaya.
filamentous) but with a pointed tip. The tentacular Status: Data deficient.
apertures are horseshoe shaped.
Colour: The ground colour of the dorsal surface of 211. Ichthyophis beddomei Peters 1879
the body is mostly brownish, but more grey/lavender Original Reference:
posteriorly, and paler laterally and ventrally. The snout
Peters. 1879. Monatsber. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin.,
tip is pale, but less so than the halos around the nares,
1879: 932.
from which it is incompletely separated. The lips are
edged in a whitish colour, more broadly on the lower Common Name: Beddome’s Caecilian.
jaw, particularly anteriorly. Type Locality: Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu.
Habit: Fossorial. Brief Description: A small caecilian with body
Habitat: under rocks in open patch of grass folds ranging from 260–295. Head narrow and small.
surrounded by semievergreen forest. Tentacular aperture about equidistant between eye and
nostril. Nostril nearly terminal. Snout pointed. Two
Distribution: Maharashtra. well developed rows of teeth on the lower jaw. Scales
Status: Data deficient. are present on all folds beginning with the collars.
Collars fused dorsally, wider than the head. First
Family: ICHTHYOPHIIDAE nuchal groove is conspicuos on the throat and sides.
Second groove distinct ventrally.
210. Ichthyophis alfredii Mathew and Sen, 2009
Colour: Entire dorsum dark violet brown. A bright
Original Reference: yellow or cream stripe runs laterally from snout to tip
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on caecilian of tail. The stripe of uniform breadth (about 3 mm)
(Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) of North- enlarges towards the the lower side on the first collar
east India with description of three new species of and bifurcates at the angle of the mouth. Eye with a
Icthyophis from Garo hills, Meghalaya and additional pale ring.
information on Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai and Habit: Fossorial.
Ravichandran, 1999. Rec. zool. Surv. Ind., Occ Paper
No., 309: 1–56. Habitat: Under logs and boulders on moist ground.
Common Name: Alfred’s Striped Caecilian. Distribution: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Status: Least Concern.
Type Locality: Daribokgre, Nokrek Biosphere
Reserve, East Garo hills, Meghalaya.
212. Ichthyophis bombayensis Taylor, 1960
Brief Description: Fairly large (length 176–330
mm) with 269–299 dorsal annuli, 262–295 ventral Original Reference:
annuli and 5–7 post-vent annuli. Scales present on Taylor, E.H. 1960. On the caecilian species Ichthyophis
all annuli. Body bulky but supple. Head flat, pointed, monochrous and Ichthyophis glutinosus with description
longer than broad. Snout slightly projecting beyond of related species. Univ Kansas Sci Bull., 40: 67.
132 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Bombay Caecilian. but does not reach the tip of the tail.
Type Locality: Waghii, Surat Dangs, Gujarat. Habit: Fossorial.
Brief Description: A large caecilian attaining a length Habitat: Leaf litter, soil and debris near river bed.
of 422 mm. Eye distinct and large. Tentacular aperture
Distribution: Garo hills, Meghalaya.
small situated close to upper lip, closer to eye. Two
collars of about equal width. The two collars are fused Status: Data deficient.
dorsally. Primary and secondary folds range from 386–
402, 14–17 of which are confined to tail. Tail elongate, 214. Ichthyophis davidi Bhatta & Dinesh, 2011
tapering. Splenial teeth 9–9 to 10–10. Dentary teeth
larger than premaxillary series. Tongue large, covering Original Reference:
splenial teeth. Bhatta, G.K. & Dinesh, K.P. 2011. A new caecilian
Ichthyophis davidi sp. nov. (Gymnophiona:
Colour: Dark brown above, the grooves lighter.
Ichthyophiidae): the largest striped caecilian from the
Dorsal side of head lighter than body. Venter pale,
Western Ghats. Curr Sci., 101(8): 1015–1019.
flesh-coloured. Cream ring around eye and nostril. Lip
margin and angle of mouth cream. Common Name: David’s Caecilian.
Habit: Fossorial. Type Locality: Chorla village (15°39′N, 74°08′E),
Khanapur Taluk, Belgaum District, Karnataka.
Habitat: Under rocks and boulders, hidden inside the
ground. Brief Description: Largest among the known
striped Ichthyophis from the Western Ghats, lateral
Distribution: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
yellow stripe wider (4.05 mm), stripe extending
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
from tentacle to the tail tip with an incurvature
Status: Least Concern. across the collars, strongly indicated on the lower
jaw from the level of tentacle, body uniform brown
213. Ichthyophis daribokensis Mathew and Sen, 2009 above and light below. Known range in total length
of metamorphosed animals 268–370 mm. Body
Original Reference: subcylindrical, head, nuchal region and neck
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on caecilian dorsoventrally compressed, width maximum at
(Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) of North- midbody, decreasing towards the tapering pointed
east India with description of three new species of tail ending in a small knob-like terminal cap. Eyes
Icthyophis from Garo hills, Meghalaya and additional equidistant between mouth and top of head, whitish
information on Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai and ring absent. Tentacles nearer to the eye than to the
Ravichandran, 1999. Rec. zool. Surv. Ind., Occ Paper naris, close to lip. Collar region little wider than
No., 309: 1–56. head in dorsal view.
Common Name: Daribok Striped Caecilian. Colour: Dorsally, body uniform metallic chestnut
Type Locality:
Daribokgre, West Garo hills, brown, snout anterior to eyes slightly paler, venter
Meghalaya. light lilac and tail tip darker. Shining metallic yellow
lateral stripe of upper lip originates as faint dot on the
Brief Description: Fairly large (length 155–315 tentacle. This joins the yellow stripe originating from
mm) with 264–310 dorsal annuli, 263–304 ventral the tip of the lower jaw at the mouth commissure and
annuli and 4–7 post-vent annuli. Scales present on continues till the knob-like terminal tail cap with an
all annuli. Head longer than broad, semi-arched incurvature on the second collar. Yellow stripe wide all
at nuchal region. Snout slightly projecting beyond along the body, except on the upper and lower lips and
mouth. Eye moderate, placed lower than level of with a small incurvature on the second collar. Tentacles
nostril.Tentacular aperture closer to eye than to and tentacular apertures whitish.
nostril. Nostril placed frontally, visible from above.
Rostral region convex. Collars prominent. Tail Habit: Fossorial.
narrows down to a pointed tip. Habitat: Below the decaying straw heaps accumulated
Colour: Dorsally glossy dark brown, paler below. A in the backyards of homestead areas and below the
broad yellowish lateral stripe separates the dorsal and decaying organic content.
ventral side extending anteriorly to expand at the collar Distribution: Karnataka.
and faintly extends to lower jaw. Posteriorly the stripe
encircles the vent and extends slightly further laterally Status: Data deficient.
Deuti : Amphibia 133
215. Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai and Collars not distinct. Tail short with 5 complete folds
Ravichandran, 1999 behind vent. Tail narrows sharply to a point.
Original Reference: Colour: No lateral stripe. Dorsally brown, ventrally
Pillai, R.S. & Ravichandran, M.S. 1999. Gymnophiona lighter brown. Head is pale both above and below.
(Amphibia) of India – a taxonomic study. Rec. zool. A median cream hairline from snout tip to angle of
Surv. Ind., Occ Paper, 172: 1–117. mouth. Ventral hind end including the tail is pale, the
area around the vent paler. A cream-coloured ring
Common Name: Garo Hill Striped Caecilian. around eye.
Type Locality: Anogiri lake, Garo hills, Meghalaya. Habit: Fossorial.
Brief Description: Fairly large (length 225–310
Habitat: Coffee garden.
mm) with 315 regular body folds. Scales arise from
the anterior folds of the body. Head long, depressed, Distribution: Garo hills, Meghalaya.
sub-triangular. Snout not projecting beyond mouth.
Status: Data deficient.
Tentacular aperture closer to eye than to nostril. Eye
fairly clear under the skin with an areola. Nostrils 217. Ichthyophis khumhzi Kamei, Wilkinson, Gower
lateral. Collars not prominent. Tail short with 6 folds and Biju, 2009
behind vent. Tail narrows rather abruptly behind the
vent to a pointed tip. Original Reference:
Colour: Dorsally dark lavender, ventrally light brown. A Kamei, R.G., Wilkinson, M., Gower, D.J. and Biju,
lateral yellow stripe separates dorsum and ventrum from S.D. 2009. Three new species of striped Ichthyophis
head to tail, engulfing the vent. This stripe widens at the (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the
collar and extends along the upper jaw to the tip of the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland.
snout as a narrow lateral band hardly touching the eye but Zootaxa, 2267: 26–42.
widening to enclose the nostril. The yellow band on the Common Name: Khumhzi Caecilian.
lower jaw widens and joins the corresponding band on
the other side rendering the anterior ventral end of the jaw Type Locality: Khumhzi village, Tamenglong district,
yellowish. Eye with a circular pale whitish ring around it. Manipur.
Habit: Fossorial. Brief Description: Large-sized (length 422–500 mm)
Habitat: Subterranean soil beside lakes and hill- with 341–362 annular grooves. Short V-shaped head.
streams. Head, trunk and nuchal region are dorsoventrally
compressed. Girth reaches a maximum near the
Distribution: Meghalaya and Assam. midbody, decreases gradually until tapering more
Status: Data deficient. abruptly over the last 50 mm of length. The collar
region is more massive than the head and body and
216. Ichthyophis husaini Pillai and is demarcated by constrictions. The second collar
Ravichandran, 1999 is more than one and a half times as long as the first
collar. Tentacular apertures are closer to the eyes than
Original Reference:
the nares. The lower jaw is set in from the upper. The
Pillai, R.S. & Ravichandran, M.S. 1999. Gymnophiona tail is not upturned towards the tip. Teeth are slender
(Amphibia) of India – a taxonomic study. Rec. zool. and strongly recurved.
Surv. Ind., Occ Paper, 172: 1–117.
Colour: Dark brown grayish dorsum with a reddish
Common Name: Husain’s Unstriped Caecilian. gray venter and narrow irregular dull-yellow lateral
Type Locality: Rongram, Garo hills, Meghalaya. stripesrunning from close to the corner of the mouth
to the level of the vent but not contacting the disc,
Brief Description: Fairly large (length 285 mm) with
and barely not visible on ventral side of collars.Eye
297 primary and secondary body folds. Body folds
surrounded by a narrow whitish ring.
cross the dorsum straight across except the few anterior
ones which curve forward in the mid-dorsal line. Head Habit: Fossorial.
relatively long. Tentacular aperture elevated, closer to Habitat: Marshy lands near agricultural fields and
eye than to nostril. Nostrils almost at the tip of snout, river. Found in secondary forest on the edge of a
large, with a circular rim bordering it. Snout hardly banana plantation.
projects beyond mouth. Eyes distinct, small with a
circular pale ring around it. Teeth large,recurved. Distribution: Tamenglong district, Manipur.
134 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Status: Data deficient. are fused above. First nuchal groove very clear below
and on the sides. Second groove conspicuous on
218. Ichthyophis kodaguensis Wilkinson, Gower, venter. Third groove is weak. Second collar with two
Govindappa and Venkatachalaiah, 2007 incomplete folds.
Original Reference: Colour: Dark violet above, lighter below. A lateral
yellow stripe from tip of tail to first nuchal groove. A
Wilkinson, M., Gower, D., Govindappa, V. & cream patch surrounds vent.
Venkatachalaiah, G. 2007. A new species of Ichythyophis
(Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from Habit: Fossorial.
Karnataka, India. Herpetologica, 63(4): 511–518. Habitat: Under leaf litter of forest.
Common Name: Kodagu Striped Caecilian. Distribution: Silent Valley, Kerala.
Type Locality: Venkidds Valley Estate, Kodagu, Status: Data deficient.
Coorg district, Karnataka.
220. Ichthyophis moustakius Kamei, Wilkinson,
Brief Description: Ichthyophis with narrow lateral Gower and Biju, 2009
yellow stripe extending from close to eye to level
Original Reference:
of vent, broken across collars, weakly indicated on
lower jaw; body uniformly dark chestnut brown Kamei, R.G., Wilkinson, M., Gower, D.J. and Biju,
above, paler lilac-greybrown below. Known range S.D. 2009. Three new species of striped Ichthyophis
in total length of metamorphosed animals 158– (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the
274 mm, about 20–25 times midbody width; 276– northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland.
305 annuli; 25–31 inner mandibular (5 splenial), Zootaxa, 2267: 26–42.
33–44 dentary, 41–52 vomeropalatine and 38–49 Common Name: Moustached Caecilian.
premaxillary-maxillopalatine teeth, increasing with
total length, inner mandibular row shorter than Type Locality: Aziuram, Nswanram, Nriangluang,
dentary row, at least ten more dentary than inner and Bamgaizaeng in Tamenglong district, Manipur.
mandibuar teeth. Tentacle much less than twice as Brief Description: Fairly large (length 196–203 mm
far from naris. in males and 203–287 mm in females) with 238–268
Colour: body uniform dark chestnut brown, snout annular grooves. Head short, more U-shaped than
anterior to eyes slightly lighter. Paler, lilac-grey- V-shaped. Head, trunk and nuchal region show slight
brown on venter and tip of terminal cap, slightly dorso-ventral compression. Collar region is slightly
darker posteriorly and immediately adjacent to more massive than the head and body and is defined
lateral stripe. Narrow longitudinal stripes bright by weak constrictions. Eyes lie closer to the top of the
cream-yellow. head than to the lip. The lower jaw is set into the upper
jaw. Teeth are slender and strongly recurvedTail may
Habit: Fossorial.
or may not be upturned towards the tip.
Habitat: Underground in the soil. Colour: Dorsum dark reddish-grey with a pale
Distribution: Kerala and Karnataka. reddish grey ventrum and broad solid lateral bright
yellow stripes that run from the anterior of the tail
Status: Data deficient. as far as the tentacular apertures. Yellow stripes may
or may not be broken across the collars. Distinctive
219. Ichthyophis longicephalus Pillai, 1986 arched yellow moustache-like stripes run between the
Original Reference: tentacular apertures and the nares, and are thickest
near the nares.
Pillai, R.S. 1986. Amphibian Fauna of Silent Valley,
Kerala. Rec Zool Surv Ind., 84: 231. Habit: Fossorial.
Common Name: Long-headed Caecilian. Habitat: Subterranean soil.
Distribution: Tamenglong district, Manipur at an
Type Locality: Silent Valley, Kerala.
elevation of 300–1100 m asl.
Brief Description: A small caecilian (upto 192 mm) Status: Data deficient.
with a relatively longer head and about 350 folds of
which 8–9 are on the tail. Body relatively broad. Snout
221. Ichthyophis nokrekensis Mathew and Sen, 2009
tip blunt and rounded. Tentacle closer to eye than
to nostril. Nostril at the tip of the snout. Two collars Original Reference:
Deuti : Amphibia 135
Mathew, R. & Sen, N. 2009. Studies on caecilian body. First few annular grooves are incomplete mid-
(Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) of North- ventrally. Eyes closer to the top of the head than to the
east India with description of three new species of lips. Teeth are slender and strongly recurved. Females
Icthyophis from Garo hills, Meghalaya and additional lack papillae on the disc, but males have papillae on
information on Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai and the disc. Tail may or may not be upturned towards
Ravichandran, 1999. Rec Zool Surv Ind. Occ Paper the tip.
No., 309: 1–56.
Colour: Dorsum bright orange-brown with narrow
Common Name: Nokrek Striped Caecilian. moustachial stripes, yellow lateral stripes, a pale
Type Locality: Sasatgre, Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, lilac-gray venter and a whitish disc. Moustachial
West Garo hills, Meghalaya. lines curve anteriorly from the tentacular apertures
to halfway between the tentacular apertures and
Brief Description: Fairly large (length 206–325 mm) the nares, with the line thickest near the tentacular
with 269–300 dorsal annuli, 266–302 ventral annuli apertures. Broad, solid, regular lateral yellow
and 5–7 post-vent annuli. Body folds regular. Scales stripes run from the fourth to last annulus, to the
present on all annuli. Head moderately long, longer corners of the mouth, then narrow and terminate
than broad, arched at nuchal region. Snout slightly on the upper jaw at the level of the eye and extend
projecting beyond mouth. Nostril placed frontally, on the lower jaw to midway between the nares and
visible from above. Eye moderate, placed higher than tentacular apertures. The lateral yellow stripes vary
level of nostril.Tentacular aperture closer to eye than in width from 3–5 mm and are thickest at the mid-
to nostril. Collars prominent. Dorsal annuli wavy, body.
more so on the anterior region. Ventral annuli angular
anteriorly. Tail narrows down to a pointed tip. Habit: Fossorial.
Colour: Dorsally glossy dark brown, paler below. Habitat: Under the soil in banana plantations on the
A narrow, uneven orange-yellowish lateral stripe edge of paddy fields in the vicinity of secondary forest.
separates the dorsal and ventral side extending Distribution: Kohima District, Nagaland.
anteriorly to expand at the collar. Posteriorly the stripe
encircles the vent and extends slightly further laterally Status: Data deficient.
but does not reach the tip of the tail.
Habit: Fossorial. 223. Ichthyophis tricolor Annandale, 1909
Status: Least Concern. Colour: Slaty violet above, a little lighter below. Folds
marked by white lines which are more conspicuous on
224. Uraeotyphlus gansi Gower, Rajendran, the posterior ventral one-third of the body.
Nussbaum and Wilkinson, 2008 Habit: Fossorial.
Original Reference: Habitat: Under ground in rubber plantations.
Gower, D., Rajendran, A., Nussbaum, R.A. &
Distribution: Kerala.
Wilkinson, M. 2008. Herpetologica., 64(2): 235–245.
Common Name: Gans’s Caecilian. Status: Data deficient.
Type Locality: Nalumukku Tea Estate, Upper 226. Uraeotyphlus malabaricus (Beddome, 1870)
Kodayar, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai TR, Tamil Nadu.
Brief Description: Subcylindrical body fairly Original Reference:
uniform, apart from gently tapering anterior quarter. Beddome, R.H. 1870. Descriptions of new reptiles
Head in dorsal view tapers steadily to just in front of from the Madras Presidency. Madras Monthly J. Med
nares, sides very slightly convex, tapers abruptly in Sci., 2: 169–176.
front of nostrils to broad, bluntly rounded tip; eyes Common Name: Malabar Caecilian.
slightly more than their diameters from sides of head,
closer to first collar groove than snout tip; nares close Type Locality: Malabar.
to tip of snout, far from sides, marginally closer to sides Brief Description: Medium-sized caecilian with a
than to midline. Snout projects prominently beyond total length of 145–240 mm. Primary and secondary
mouth, tip rounded; nares just in front of mouth; folds in approximately equal number 206–247. Tail
tentacles approximately halfway between snout tip and short with 7 folds. Tentacle below and a little in front of
level of anterior margin of mouth. Slit-like tentacular nostril. Collars are not clearly delineated. First nuchal
apertures set in raised area. Collar region marginally groove dim, visible above but faint below. Second
thicker than anterior body. groove faint above and absent below. Third groove
Colour: dark, lilac/slate gray, paler and more lilac evident above only.
ventrally. Chin, throat and parts of snout generally paler
Colour: Shade of brick red or violet above and lighter
gray. Annular grooves paler lilac. Disc surrounding
below. Dorsal colour is interrupted by whitish lines on
vent off-white (pale lilacgray).
folds.
Habit: Fossorial.
Habit: Fossorial.
Habitat: In moist, loose, dark soil, and sometimes
beneath rotting wood. Habitat: Under leaf litter.
Distribution: Tamil Nadu. Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Status: Data deficient. Status: Data deficient.
225. Uraeotyphlus interruptus Pillai and 227. Uraeotyphlus menoni Annandale, 1913
Ravichandran, 1999
Original Reference:
Original Reference:
Annandale, T.N. 1913. Some new and interesting
Pillai, R.S. & Ravichandran, M.S. 1999. Gymnophiona Batrachia and Lizards from India, Ceylon and Borneo.
(Amphibia) of India, A taxonomic study. Rec. zool. Rec Ind Mus., 9: 301–310.
Surv. Ind., Occ Paper, 172: 60–64.
Common Name: Menon’s Caecilian.
Common Name: Chengalam Caecilian.
Type Locality: Trichur and Cochin, Kerala
Type Locality: Chengalam, Kerala.
Brief Description: A small-sized caecilian (length Brief Description: Medium-sized caecilian, upto
185 mm) with distinct eyes, ventral tentacle below the 248 mm. Eyes distinct, tentacle below and slightly in
nostril, body folds 162. Primary annuli cross dorsum advance of nostril, much closer to nostril than to eye.
only on the hind half and venter only in front of the Primary and secondary folds less than 200. Collars
vent. Collar region slightly wider than head, the two wider than head, distinct ventrally.
collars completely fused above but distinct ventrally. Colour: Above brownish with a touch of violet,
Splenial teeth 4–4. grooves marked with pale rings, more pronounced
Deuti : Amphibia 137
towards hind end. Ventral and lower lateral sides encircling them are very slightly raised. The nares
cream with a brownish tinge towards the hind end. are subcircular and small, substantially smaller than
the eyes. Each tentacular aperture is set in a small,
Habit: Fossorial.
slightly raised area, and is visible as a tiny slit filled
Habitat: Under leaf litter. with the subtriangular tentacle tip. The lower jaw
Distribution: Kerala. has a downturned anterior tip.
Colour: The head is paler than the pale lilac-brown
Status: Data deficient.
anterior body. The tip of the snout, a ring around eyes
and the region below level of eyes to the lip are cream
228. Uraeotyphlus narayani Seshachar, 1939
coloured. A similar color is present on the underside
Original Reference: of the snout, lower jaws and collars. The pale color of
Seshachar, B.R. 1939. On a new species of Uraeotyphlus the snout tip extends irregularly back to the nares, so
from South India. Proc Ind Acad Sci., 9(B): 224–228. that these lie in a region that is paler than the middle
of the dorsal surface of the head. The midventral
Common Name: Narayan’s Caecilian. longitudinal ridge on the chin and anterior throat is
Type Locality: Kannan, Kottayam, Kerala. paler than the background color. The anterior half
Brief Description: A medium-sized caecilian growing of the body is a darker lilacbrown dorsally, which
upto 237 mm. Total folds less than 190. Head relatively gradually blends to a lighter brown, laterally, and a
long, narrowing sharply and smoothly truncated in cream-tan, ventrally. The dorsal surface is brown with
front. Tentacular aperture almost ventral, below and grey lilac tones. Ventrally, the body is slightly browner
a little in front of nostril, much closer to nostril than posteriorly, but is never as dark as the dorsum at
to eye. Collars wider than head, distinct ventrally and the same position. The cream disc is paler than the
laterally. brownish colour surrounding it. The terminal cap is
much paler.
Colour: Steel grey to brownish above, the folds
marked by white lines. Venter whitish with a median Habit: Fossorial.
bluish green line. Habitat: Agricultural land within tea estate.
Habit: Fossorial. Distribution: Kerala.
Habitat: Under the soil. Status: Data deficient.
Distribution: Karnataka and Kerala. 230. Uraeotypwhlus oxyurus (Dumeril and
Status: Data deficient. Bibron, 1841)
Common Name: Red Caecilian.
229. Uraeotyphlus oommeni Gower and
Wilkinson, 2007 Type Locality: Malabar coast.
Original Reference: Brief Description: A fairly thick bodied caecilian with
a narrow head. Primaries nearly equal to secondaries
Gower, D. & Wilkinson, M. 2007. Species groups in the in number. Eye distinct. Tentacular opening directly
Indian Caecilian genus Uraeotyphlus Peters (Amphibia: below nostril, much closer to nostril than to eye.
Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae) with description of a Collars fused together above. Maximum size 300 mm.
new species. Herpetologica., 63(3): 401–410.
Colour: Uniformly dark brown above and below.
Common Name: Oommen’s Caecilian. Rows of glandules less brownish along the folds on the
Type Locality:
Bonaccord, Thiruvanthapuram, dorsum.
Kerala.
Habit: Fossorial.
Brief Description: The margin of the upper lip
is distinctly arched. The eye is slightly closer to Habitat:
the straight top of the head than to the edge of
the mouth. The snout tip is rounded and projects Distribution: Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
prominently in front of the mouth. The nares lie just Status: Data deficient.
in front of the mouth, the anteroventral tentacles are
approximately halfway between the snout tip and a References:
point level with the anterior margin of the mouth. Dumeril, A.M.C. & Bibron, G. 1841. Erpetologie
The tentacles are visible only in lateral, ventral General ou histoire naturelle complete des reptiles, vol
and anterior views. The eyes and narrow rings 1–9..
Euphlyctis mudigere Joshy, Alam, Kurabayashi, Sumida and
Kuramoto, 2009
Bufoides meghalayanus (Yazdani and Chanda, 1971) Fejervarya kudremukhensis Kuramoto, Joshy, Kurabayashi
and Sumida, 2007
Fejervarya mudduraja Kuramoto, Joshy, Kurabayashi and
Sumida, 2007
Nyctibatrachus aliciae Inger, Shaffer, Koshy and Bakde, 1984 Nyctibatrachus grandis Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony, Dinesh,
Radhakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri & Bossuyt, 2011
Nyctibatrachus jog Biju, Bocxlaer, Mahony, Dinesh, Rad-
hakrishnan, Zachariah, Giri & Bossuyt, 2011
Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris Rao, 1920
distribution and IUCN Red-List Status of the species. The nomenclature followed is after Eschmeyer (2012) and Froece &
Pauly (2012). The check-list is presented with the purpose of disseminating the knowledge on the fish species endemic to
India and their significance in our ecosystems in order to make the appropriate management plans for their protection and
conservation.
166. Tor kulkarnii Menon, 1992 201. Homaloptera menoni Shaji & Easa, 1995
167. Tor malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849) 202. Homaloptera montana Herre, 1945
168. Tor neilli (Day, 1869) 203. Homaloptera pillaii Indra & Rema Devi, 1981
169. Tor progeneius (McClelland, 1839) 204. Homaloptera santhamparaiensis Arunachalam,
170. Tor remadevii Madhusoodana Kurup & Johnson & Rema Devi, 2002
Radhakrishnan 2011 205. Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872)
Family: PSILORHYNCHIDAE 206. Indoreonectes keralensis (Rita, Banarescu &
Nalbant, 1978)
171. Parapsilorhynchus discophorus Hora, 1921 207. Longischistura bhimachari (Hora, 1937)
172. Parapsilorhynchus elongatus Singh, 1994 208. Longischistura striata (Day, 1867)
173. Parapsilorhynchus prateri Hora & Misra, 1938 209. Mesonoemacheilus guentheri (Day, 1867)
174. Parapsilorhynchus tentaculatus (Annandale, 210. Mesonoemacheilus herrei Nalbant & Banarescu,
1919) 1982
175. Psilorhynchus amplicephalus Arunachalam, 211. Mesonoemacheilus pambarensis (Rema Devi &
Muralidharan & Sivakumar, 2007 Indra, 1994)
176. Psilorhynchus arunachalensis (Nebeshwar, Bagra 212. Mesonoemacheilus petrubanarescui (Menon,
& Das, 2007) 1984)
177. Psilorhynchus microphthalmus Vishwanath & 213. Mesonoemacheilus pulchellus (Day, 1873)
Manojkumar, 1995 214. Mesonoemacheilus remadevii Shaji, 2002
178. Psilorhynchus tenura Arunachalam & 215. Mesonoemacheilus triangularis (Day, 1865)
Muralidharan, 2008 216. Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale, 1919
Family: COBITIDAE 217. Nemacheilus drassensis Tilak, 1990
218. Nemacheilus kaimurensis Husain & Tilak, 1998
179. Acantopsis multistigmatus Vishwanath & 219. Nemacheilus monilis Hora, 1921
Laisram, 2005 220. Nemacheilus stigmofasciatus Arunachalam &
180. Botia striata Narayan Rao, 1920 Muralidharan, 2009
181. Lepidocephalichthys arunachalensis (Datta & 221. Nemacheilus rueppelli (Sykes, 1839)
Barman, 1984) 222. Nemacheilus semiarmatus Day, 1867
182. Lepidocephalichthys coromandelensis (Menon, 223. Nemachilichthys shimogensis Narayan Rao, 1920
1992) 224. Neonoemacheilus assamensis (Menon, 1987)
183. Lepidocephalichthys manipurensis Arunkumar, 225. Neonoemacheilus morehensis Arunkumar, 2000
2000 226. Paraschistura montana (McClelland 1838)
184. Lepidocephalichthys menoni Pillai & Yazdani, 227. Physoschistura chindwinensis Lokeshwar &
1976 Vishwanath, 2012
185. Neoeucirrhichthys maydelli Banarescu & 228. Physoschistura elongata Sen & Nalbant, 1982
Nalbant, 1968 229. Physoschistura tuivaiensis Lokeshwar,
186. Pangio ammophila Britz, Ali & Raghaban, 2012 Vishwanath & Shanta, 2012
187. Pangio apoda Britz & Maclaine, 2007 230. Schistura aizawlensis Lalramiana, 2012
188. Pangio goaensis (Tilak, 1972) 231. Schistura carletoni (Fowler, 1924)
189. Pangio longipinnis (Menon 1992) 232. Schistura chindwinica (Tilak & Husain, 1990)
Family: BALITORIDAE 233. Schistura dayi (Hora, 1935)
234. Schistura denisoni (Day, 1867)
190. Aborichthys elongatus Hora, 1921 235. Schistura devdevi Hora, 1935
191. Aborichthys garoensis Hora, 1925 236. Schistura doonensis Tilak & Husain, 1977
192. Aborichthys rosammai Sen, 2009 237. Schistura fasciata Lokeshwor & Vishwanath,
193. Aborichthys tikaderi Barman 1985 2011
194. Acanthocobitis mooreh (Sykes, 1839) 238. Schistura gangeticus (Menon, 1987)
195. Acanthocobitis pavonaceus (McClelland, 1839) 239. Schistura himachalensis (Menon, 1987)
196. Balitora laticauda Bhoite, Jadhav & Dahanukar, 240. Schistura inglisi Hora, 1935
2012 241. Schistura kangjupkhulensis Hora, 1921
197. Balitora mysorensis Hora, 1941 242. Schistura khugae Vishwanath & Shanta, 2004
198. Bhavania arunachalensis Nath, Dam, Bhutia, 243. Schistura kodaguensis Menon, 1987
Dey & Das, 2007 244. Schistura koladynensis Lokeshwar &
199. Bhavania australis (Jerdon, 1849) Vishwanath, 2012
200. Homaloptera manipurensis Arunkumar, 1998 245. Schistura manipurensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)
Mishra et al.: Pisces 143
246. Schistura menoni (Zacharias & Minimol, 1999) 282. Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)
247. Schistura minutus Vishwanath & Santa Kumar, 283. Mystus montanus (Jerdon, 1849)
2006 284. Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes, 1840)
248. Schistura nagaensis (Menon, 1987) 285. Mystus seengtee (Sykes, 1839)
249. Schistura nagodiensis Sreekantha, Gururaja, 286. Rita chrysea Day, 1877
Remadevi, Indra & Ramachandra, 2006 287. Rita gogra (Sykes, 1839)
250. Schistura nilgiriensis (Menon 1987) 288. Rita kuturnee (Sykes, 1839)
251. Schistura papulifera Kottelat, Harries &
Proudlove, 2007 Family: CLARIIDAE
252. Schistura periyarensis (Madhusoodana Kurup & 289. Clarias dayi Hora, 1936
Radhakrishnan, 2005) 290. Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes, 1840
253. Schistura prashadi (Hora, 1921) 291. Horaglanis alikunhii Subhash Babu & Nayar, 2004
254. Schistura reticulata Vishwanath & Nabeshwar, 292. Horaglanis krishnai Menon, 1950
2004
Family: ERETHISTIDAE
255. Schistura reticulofasciata (Singh & Banarescu,
1982) 293. Conta pectinata Ng, 2005
256. Schistura sharavathiensis Sreekantha, Gururaja, 294. Erethistoides pipri Hora, 1950
Remadevi, Indra & Ramachandra, 2006 295. Erethistoides senkhiensis Tamang, Chaudhry &
257. Schistura sijuensis (Menon, 1987) Choudhury, 2008
258. Schistura singhi Menon, 1987 296. Erethistoides sicula Ng, 2005
259. Schistura tigrinum Vishwanath & Nebeshwar 297. Hara horai (Misra, 1976)
Sharma, 2005 298. Hara koladynensis Anganthoibi & Vishwanath,
260. Schistura tirapensis Kottelat, 1990 2009
261. Travancoria elongata Pethiyagoda & Kottelat, 299. Pseudolaguvia austrina Radhakrishnan,
1994 Sureshkumar & Ng, 2011
262. Travancoria jonesi Hora, 1941 300. Pseudolaguvia ferruginea Ng, 2009
263. Triplophysa shehensis Tilak, 1987 301. Pseudolaguvia ferula Ng, 2006
302. Pseudolaguvia flavida Ng, 2009
Family: AMBLYCIPITIDAE 303. Pseudolaguvia foveolata Ng, 2005
264. Amblyceps apangi Nath & Dey 1989 304. Pseudolaguvia virgulata Ng & Lalramliana, 2010
265. Amblyceps arunchalensis Nath & Dey 1990 305. Pseudolaguvia viriosa Ng & Tamang, 2012
266. Amblyceps cerinum Ng & Wright, 2010
Family: HETEROPNEUSTIDAE
267. Amblyceps tenuispinis Blyth, 1860
268. Amblyceps torrentis Linthoingambi & 306. Heteropneustes longipectoralis Rema Devi &
Vishwanath, 2008 Raghunathan, 1999
269. Amblyceps tuberculatum Linthoingambi & Family: SCHILBIDAE
Vishwanath, 2009
307. Clupisoma bastari Datta & Karmakar, 1980
Family: AKYSIDAE 308. Eutropiichthys goongwaree (Sykes, 1839)
270. Akysis manipurensis (Arunkumar, 2000) 309. Neotropius khavalchor Kulkarni, 1952
310. Proeutropiichthys taakree (Sykes, 1839)
Family: BAGRIDAE 311. Pseudeutropius mitchelli Günther, 1864
271. Batasio convexirostrum Darshan, Anganthoibi & 312. Silonia childreni (Sykes, 1839)
Vishwanath, 2011
Family: SILURIDAE
272. Batasio fasciolatus Ng, 2006
273. Batasio merianiensis (Chaudhuri 1913) 313. Kryptoglanis shajii Vincent & Thomas, 2011
274. Batasio sharavatiensis Bhatt & Jayaram, 2004 314. Ompok canio (Hamilton, 1822)
275. Batasio spilurus Ng, 2006 315. Ompok goae (Haig, 1952)
276. Batasio travancoria Hora & Law, 1941 316. Ompok malabaricus (Valenciennes, 1840)
277. Hemibagrus maydelli (Rössel, 1964) 317. Pinniwallago kanpurensis Gupta, Jayaram &
278. Hemibagrus punctatus (Jerdon, 1849) Hajela, 1981
279. Horabagrus brachysoma (Günther, 1864) 318. Pterocryptis barakensis Vishwanath &
280. Horabagrus nigricollaris Pethiyagoda & Kottelat, Nebeshwar Sharma, 2006
1994 319. Pterocryptis indicus (Datta, Barman & Jayaram,
281. Mystus dibrugarensis (Chaudhuri 1913) 1987)
144 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Family: NANDIDAE Family: ENGRAULIDAE
390. Nandus andrewi Ng & Jaafar, 2008 412. Setipinna brevifilis (Valenciennes, 1848)
413. Thryssa gautamiensis Babu Rao 1971
Family: PRISTOLEPIDIDAE 414. Thryssa kammalensoides Wongratana, 1983
391. Pristolepis marginata Jerdon, 1849 415. Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983
416. Thryssa stenosoma Wongratana, 1983
Family: CICHLIDAE
392. Etroplus canarensis Day, 1877 Family: ARIIDAE
417. Arius malabaricus Day, 1877
Family: CHANNIDAE
393. Channa aurantimaculata Musikasinthorn, 2000 Family: SYNODONTIDAE
394. Channa bleheri Vierke, 1991 418. Harpadon squamosus Alcock, 1891
395. Channa diplogramma (Day, 1865) 419. Saurida pseudotumbil Dutt & Sagar, 1981
396. Channa melanostigma Geetakumari and
Vishwanath, 2010 Family: BATRACHOIDIDAE
420. Perulibatrachus aquilonarius Greenfield, 2005
Family: OSPHRONEMIDAE
397. Pseudosphromenus dayi (Köhler, 1908) Family: OGCOCEPHALIDAE
421. Halieutopsis nasuta (Alcock 1891)
II. Secondary Freshwater or estuarine and
coastal marine fishes Family: MUGILIDAE
Family: CARCHARHINIDAE 422. Liza mandapamensis Thomson, 1997
398. Glyphis gangeticus (Muller & Henle, 1839) Family: HEMIRAMPHIDAE
Family: NARKIDAE 423. Dermogenys brachynotopterus (Bleeker 1854)
399. Heteronarce prabhui Talwar 1981. 424. Hyporhamphus xanthopterus (Valenciennes 1847)
Family: RHINOBATIDAE Family: SYNGNATHIDAE
400. Rhinobatos variegatus Nair & Lal Mohan, 1973 425. Microphis insularis (Hora 1925)
Family: DASYATIDAE Family: TETRAROGIDAE
401. Himantura fluviatilis (Hamilton 1822) 426. Ocosia ramaraoi Poss & Eschmeyer 1975.
Family: MORINGUIDAE Family: TRIGLIDAE
402. Moringua arundinacea (McClelland, 1844) 427. Lepidotrigla longipinnis Alcock 1890.
Family: MURAENIDAE Family: OPISTOGNATHIDAE
403. Enchelycore tamarae Prokofiev, 2005 428. Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz, 2011
429. Opistognathus annulatus (Eibl-Eibesfeldt and
Family: OPHICHTHIDAE Klausewitz, 1961)
404. Bascanichthys deraniyagalai Menon, 1961 430. Opistognathus pardus Smith-Vainz, Beenish &
405. Ophichthus microcephalus Day, 1878 Akhilesh, 2012
Family: CONGRIDAE Family: SILLAGINIDAE
406. Bathymyrus echinorhynchus Alcock, 1889 431. Sillago indica McKay, Dutt & Sujatha, 1985
407. Heteroconger obscurus (Klausewitz & Eibl- 432. Sillago soringa Dutt & Sujatha, 1982
Eibesfeldt 1959) 433. Sillago vincenti McKay, 1980
408. Rhynchoconger squaliceps (Alcock 1894). Family: LEIOGNATHIDAE
Family: CLUPEIDAE 434. Leiognathus striatus James & Badrudeen, 1991
409. Dayella malabarica (Day, 1873) Family: EMMELICHTHYIDAE
Family: PRISTIGASTERIDAE 435. Erythrocles acarina Kotthaus 1974.
410. Ilisha obfuscata Wongratana, 1983 Family: GERREIDAE
411. Pellona dayi Wongratana, 1983
146 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
436. Gerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra 2001. 455. Bathygobius ostreicola (Chaudhuri, 1916)
456. Callogobius andamanensis Menon & Chatterjee,
Family: NEMIPTERIDAE 1974
437. Parascolopsis boesemani (Rao & Rao, 1981) 457. Callogobius mannarensis Rangarajan 1968
458. Callogobius melanoptera (Visweswara Rao,
Family: SCIAENIDAE
1971)
438. Johnius gangeticus Talwar, 1991 459. Callogobius seshaiyai Jacob & Rangarajan, 1960
Family: MULLIDAE 460. Callogobius trifasciatus Menon & Chatterjee,
1976
439. Upeneus indicus Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010 461. Chiramenu fluviatilis Rao, 1971
Family: CIRRHITIDAE 462. Odontamblyopus roseus (Valenciennes 1837)
463. Oligolepis dasi (Talwar, Chatterjee & Dev Roy,
440. Cirrhitichthys bleekeri Day, 1874 1982)
Family: LABRIDAE 464. Oxyurichthys paulae Pezold, 1998
465. Oxyurichthys talwari (Mehta, Kamala Devi &
441. Iniistius cyanifrons Valenciennes, 1840 Mehta 1989)
442. Xyrichtys rajagopalani Venkataramanujam, 466. Parapocryptes rictuosus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Venkataramani & Ramanathan, 1987 467. Scartelaos cantoris (Day, 1871)
Family: TRICHONOTIDAE 468. Sicyopterus griseus (Day, 1877)
469. Silhouettea indica Visweswara Rao, 1971
443. Trichonotus cyclograptus (Alcock, 1890)
470. Stigmatogobius minima (Hora, 1923)
Family: AMMODYTIDAE 471. Yongeichthys tuticorinensis (Fowler 1925)
444. Bleekeria murtii Joshi, Zacharia & Kanthan, Family: TRICHIURIDAE
2012
472. Lepturacanthus pantului (Gupta 1966)
Family: URANOSCOPIDAE 473. Trichiurus gangeticus Gupta 1966
445. Uranoscopus crassiceps Alcock, 1890 Family: BOTHIDAE
Family: BLENNIIDAE 474. Laeops lophoptera (Alcock, 1889)
446. Alloblennius frondiculus Smith-Vaniz & Allen Family: CYNOGLOSSIDAE
2012
475. Cynoglossus macrostomus Norman, 1928
447. Praealticus dayi (Whitley 1929)
Family: SOLEIDAE
Family: CALLIONYMIDAE
476. Zebrias annandalei Talwar & Chakrapany,
448. Callionymus kotthausi Fricke, 1981
1967
449. Callionymus megastomus Fricke, 1982
477. Zebrias keralensis Joglekar, 1976
Family: ELEOTRIDAE
Family: BALISTIDAE
450. Eleotris andamensis Herre, 1939
478. Balistes ellioti Day, 1889
Family: XENISTHMIDAE
Family: MONACANTHIDAE
451. Xenisthmus smithi Menon & Talwar, 1973
479. Lalmohania velutina Hutchins, 1994
Family: GOBIIDAE
Family: TETRAODONTIDAE
452. Acentrogobius ennorensis Menon & Rema Devi,
480. Arothron leopardus (Day, 1878)
1980
481. Carinotetraodon imitator Britz & Kottelat,
453. Acentrogobius griseus (Day, 1876)
1999
454. Acentrogobius masoni (Day 1873)
482. Carinotetraodon travancoricus (Hora & Nair, 1941)
Mishra et al.: Pisces 147
extending up to lateral line; pelvic fin reaching anal fn Common Name: Gunther’s baril.
base; 42–43 lateral line scales; 21–22 predorsal scales; a Diagnosis: A species of Barilius with shallow body, its
black stripe on dorsal fin; caudal fin edge black. depth 4.5 times in SL; two short pairs of barbels (rostral
Distribution: Manipur. and maxillary); maxilla extends to anterior margin of
orbit; 56–62 lateral line scales, 24 predorsal scales; 7–8
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. branched dorsal fin rays; tubercles small and poorly
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. developed on snout and lower jaw; 12–15; no vertical
bars on body.
19. Barilius pectoralis Husain, 2012
Distribution: Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and Punjab.
2010. Barilius pectoralis Husain, Journal on New
Biological Reports, 1(1): 21–22 (type locality: Yamuna Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
drainage system, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, India). IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Common Name: None. 22. Betadevario ramachandrani Pramod,
Fang, Rema Devi, Liao, Indra, Jameela Beevi &
Daignosis: A species of Barilius with snout slightly
Kullander, 2010
produced; 58–59 lateral line scales; 4–5 rows of scales
between lateral line and base of pelvic fin; 29 predorsal 2010. Betadevario ramachandrani Pramod, Fang,
scales; barbels two pairs; maxilla reaching to slightly Rema Devi, Liao, Indra, Jameela Beevi & Kullander,
beyond anterior margin of eye; pectoral fin with a Zootaxa, No. 2519: 35, Figs. 1–4 (type locality: Agumbe,
notch; three outer pectoral rays strongly thickened; small stream tributary to Sita River, 2 kilometers
9–10 short lateral bars, not extending beyond dark upstream from Onake Abbi Fall, 13°30′79″N,
colouration of back. 75°04′49″E, Shimoga District, Dakshina Kannada,
Karnataka, India, elevation 558 meters).
Distribution: Tons river, Western Doon Valley, Dehra
Dun; Uttarakhand. Common Name: None.
Habit and Habitat: Found in the terrestrial streams Diagnosis: A species of Betadevario with two pairs of
with very cold water with stony and rocky substratum. long barbels; wider cleithral spot extending to cover
3 scales horizontally; long and low laminar preorbital
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. process along the anterior margin of the orbit; flanks
with a wide dark band along the lower side, bordered
20. Barilius profundus Dishma & Vishwanath, 2012 dorsally by a wide light stripe.
2011. Barilius profundus Dishma & Vishwanath, Distribution: Upper Sita River drainage, Shimoga
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 4(2): 2364, Fig. 1 (type District, Karnataka.
locality: Koladyne River at Kolchaw, 22°23′N, 92°57′E,
Lawntlai District, Mizoram, India). Habit and Habitat: Upper reaches of (High-altitude)
Sita River drainage.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Diagnosis: A species of Barilius with great body depth
at dorsal-fin origin 32.0–37.3% SL; maxilla reaches 23. Chela khujairokensis Arunkumar, 2000
anterior margin of orbit; 17–18 predorsal scales; lateral 2000. Chela khujairokensis Arunkumar, Aquacult.,
line complete, with 30–32 scales; eye diameter 38.3– 1(2): 122, fig. 1 (type locality: Khujairok stream, a
42.9% HL; predorsal distance 58.9–64.0% SL; dorsal fin tributary of the Yu River, at Moreh, near the adjoining
with 7½ branched rays; pelvic fin with 8 branched rays; borderland areas of Manipur, India and Myanmar; 100
dark blue bars (7–10) on sides, width of bar narrower kms from Imphal, Manipur, India).
than interspace width. Common Name: None.
Distribution: Koladyne River, Mizoram. Diagnosis: A species of Chela with incomplete lateral
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. line; 17–18 predorsal scales; a distinct shoulder spot;
ends of dorsal, anal and caudal fins blackish.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Khujairok stream, a tributary of the Yu
21. Barilius radiolatus Günther, 1868 River, Manipur.
1868. Barilius radiolatus Günther, Catalogue of the Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
fishes in the British Museum, 7: 287 (type locality:
Malva, Madhya Pradesh, India). IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 151
24. Cirrhinus cirrhosis (Bloch 1795) 27. Crossocheilus periyarensis Menon & Jacob, 1996
1795. Cyprinus cirrhosus Bloch, Naturges. ausland. 1996. Crossocheilus periyarensis Menon & Jacob,
Fische, 9: 52, fig. 411 (type locality: Cauvery river, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 93(1): 62, figs. 1–3 (type
Tamil Nadu). locality: Periyar River, Thanikkudy (Thekkady), Kerala
State, South India).
Common Name: Mrigal Carp, Cauvery white carp.
Common Name: Periyar Latia.
Diagnosis: A species of Cirrhinus with elongate
body, its depth more than head length; entire upper Diagnosis: A species of Crossocheilus with moderately
lip; two well- developed pairs of barbels (rostral and elongate body, rounded snout having prominent
maxillary); 13–15 branched dorsal fin rays; 42–46 nuptial tubercles in males; 34–36 lateral line scales, no
lateral line scales; dorsal fin as high as body, anterior blackspot on caudal base.
few rays often very elongated; deeply forked caudal fin.
Distribution: Periyar River, Thanikkudy, Kerala.
Distribution: Peninsular India.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
28. Dawkinsia arulius (Jerdon 1849)
Remarks: It has been introduced in several south
1849. Systomus arulius Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci.,
Asian countries for aquaculture.
15(2): 317 (type locality: Cavery River at Seringapatam
25. Cirrhinus fulungee (Sykes, 1839) [Shrirangapathna], India).
1839. Chondrostoma fulungee Sykes, Trans. Zool. Soc. Common Name: Arulius barb.
Lond., 2: 358 (type locality: Deccan, India).
Diagnosis: A barb with terminal mouth; only one pair
Common Name: Deccan white carp. of barbels (rostral pair); 21 to 24 lateral line scales; last
unbranched dorsal fin ray smooth; dorsal fin rays not
Diagnosis: A species of Cirrhinus with elongate body,
filamentous in males; operculum with an iridescent
its depth more than head length; poorly fimbriated
green spot; three black bands on body; caudal fin
upper lip; one pair short of rostral barbels; 8 branched
reddish with red tips.
dorsal fin rays; 44–48 lateral line scales; dorsal fin
about as high as body; pectoral fin as long as head; Distribution: Restricted to Cauvery, Sharavathi,
deeply forked caudal fin. Tunga river systems in Karnataka, the upper reaches of
Cauvery in Tamil Nadu and Pookode Lake in Wyanad,
Distribution: Maharashtra and Karnataka, Peninsular
Kerala.
India.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits small and large
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
freshwater streams and rivers.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Endangered. It was formerly classified
26. Cirrhinus macrops Steindachner, 1870 as critically endangered in the 2000 IUCN red list of
threatened species.
1870. Cirrhina macrops Steindachner, Sitzb. Akad.
Wiss. Wien, 61: 636 (type locality: Madras, India). 29. Dawkinsia assimilis (Jerdon 1849)
Common Name: Hora white carp. 1849. Systomus assimilis Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci.,
Diagnosis: A species of Cirrhinus with elongate 15(2): 319 (type locality: Canara [now Madikeri],
body, its depth considerably more than head length; Karnataka State, southern India).
entire upper lip, no lower lip; one pair short rostral Common Name: None.
barbels; 15–16 branched dorsal fin rays; 44–46 lateral
Diagnosis: A barb with a black band about as wide as
line scales; dorsal fin as high as body; forked caudal
eye across each caudal-fin lobe; mouth inferior; lower
fin.
lip continuous; maxillary barbels 23.5–33.3% HL; a
Distribution: Godavari River, Andhra Pradesh and caudal blotch commencing posterior to anal-fin origin.
Chennai. Adult males with branched dorsal rays prolonged into
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. filament.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits both in rivers with 32. Dawkinsia rohani (Rema Devi,
sluggish flow and muddy substrates, as well as clear, Indra & Knight, 2010)
rocky, fast-flowing streams (Pethiyagoda and Kottelat
2010. Puntius rohani Rema Devi, Indra & Knight,
2005).
J. Threatened Taxa, 2(9): 1122, Figs. 1, 2 3A (type
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. locality: Kodayar River drainage, near Mayilar, KWS,
Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India, 8.5052°N,
30. Dawkinsia exclamatio (Pethiyagoda & 77.3015°E, elevation 110 meters).
Kottelat, 2005)
Common Name: Rohan’s barb.
2005. Puntius exclamatio Pethiyagoda & Kottelat,
Raffles Bull. Zool., Suppl., 12: 133, Fig. 8 (type locality: Diagnosis: A barb with an elongate black club-shaped
3 kilometers downstream of Thenmalai Dam, on blotch 1.5 scales high extending from the 12–13th
Thenmalai-Trivandrum Road, Kallada River, Kerala, lateral-line scales to the caudal-fin base; 2 – 3 + 6 – 9
India). gill rakers on the first gill arch, 21–23 lateral-line scales,
seven predorsal scales, 4½ + 1 + 3 – 3½ transverse scales.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Southern Western Ghats- Kanyakumari
Diagnosis: A barb with a black blotch of 2–3 scales district, Tamil Nadu.
wide on and above 6th or 7th lateral line scale;
another elongate, black blotch about 1½ scales high Habit and Habitat: Found in hill streams (Rema Devi
commencing above anal-fin origin, 13th lateral-line et al, 2010).
scale to caudal fin base; last unbranched dorsal fin ray IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
smooth; mouth subterminal; only maxillary barbels
33. Dawkinsia rubrotinctus (Jerdon, 1849)
present; 13 to 15 scales on lateral line before anal fin
origin. 1849. Systomus rubrotinctus Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci.,
15(2): 317 (type locality: Kabini River, India [original:
Distribution: Kallada River, Kerala.
Manantoddy [Mananthavadi] River, Kabini River
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit clear water, rock and pebble drainage, Kerala, southern India]).
substratum areas of the upper reaches of the Kallada River.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Diagnosis: A barb with three well defined blotches two
31. Dawkinsia filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1844) scale high and three scales wide; interorbital width of
28.4–35.6 % HL; gillrakers 10–11 on first arch; mouth
1844. Leuciscus filamentosus Valenciennes, in Cuvier
terminal; filamentous dorsal fin ray in males absent;
& Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 17: 96, Pl. 492 (type maxilla 26.5–32.3 % HL; head length 28.3–32.8 % SL;
locality: Alleppey [now Alappuzhaj, situated between body depth of 34.9–41.8 % SL; barbels 7.3–13.4 % HL.
Vembanad Lake (a brackish estuary) and the Arabian (Knight et al, 2011).
Sea, 9°20′N, 76°25′E, Kerala State, southwestern India).
Distribution: Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Common Name: Black spot barb.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit free flowing freshwater
Diagnosis: A barb with subterminal mouth; only streams and rivers.
maxillary barbels; post-orbital head length 11.0–12.1%
of SL; no mark on body before anal fin origin; each IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
caudal fin lobe with a transverse black band near tip; a 34. Dawkinsia tambraparniei (Silas, 1954)
distinct black blotch on lateral line from 14th to 16th
lateral line scale. Branched dorsal-fin rays prolonged 1954. Puntius arulius tambraparniei Silas, Rec. Indian
into filament in adult male. Mus., 51(1): 34, Figs. 2–4 (type locality: Stream 7
miles from Kalladaikurichi, Tambraparni watershed,
Distribution: Peninsular India- Andhra Pradesh, Tinnevelly District, Madras State, India).
Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
Common Name: Tambraparni barb.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit freshwater habitats of both
in the hill streams and streams of the lowlands, ponds Diagnosis: A barb with only one pair of barbels
(rostral pair); mouth subterminal; third unbranched
and wetlands. Also found in estuaries, reservoirs and
dorsal ray nonosseous and smooth; body with four
marshes.
vertical black bands, fourth band over gill opening.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: Tambraparni River, Tamil Nadu.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 153
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit hill streams. 50. Esomus malabaricus Day, 1867
IUCN Status: Least Concern. 1867. Esomus malabaricus Day, Proc. Zool. Soc.
47. Dravidia melanampyx (Day, 1865) London, 1867(2): 299 (type locality: Trichoor,
Kerala, India).
1865. Labeo melanampyx Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
1865(1): 298 (type locality: Mundikyum, Kerala, India). Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with 35–36 lateral line Diagnosis: A species of Garra with 39–40 lateral line
scales; 11–12 predorsal scales, 16 circumpeduncular scales; transverse groove on snout; weakly developed
scales; 7 branched dorsal fin rays; 5 branched anal fin proboscis; 7 branched dorsal fin rays; position of vent
rays; broadly rounded snout with a mere groove across situated midway between pelvic and anal fin origins; a
its tip to form a transverse lobe; vent to anal distance transverse black bar near the free margin of dorsal fin;
52.6–60.0% pelvic to anal distance. a longitudinal black band on median rays of caudal fin.
Distribution:
Brahmaputra basin, Arunachal Distribution: Manipur.
Pradesh.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
57. Garra emarginata Madusoodana Kurup &
54. Garra bicornuta Narayan Rao, 1920 Radhakrishnan, 2011
1920. Garra bicornuta Rao, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9)6: 2011. Garra emarginata Madhusoodana Kurup &
57, pl. 1, figs. 3, 3a & b (type locality: Tunga River at Radhakrishnan, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 107(3) [2010]:
Shimoga, Karnataka, India). 220, Fig. 1 (type locality: Pooyamkutty, Periyar River,
Kerala, India).
Common Name: Tunga garra.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with depth of body
3.7–4.5 times in SL; length of head 4.4–5.2 times in Diagnosis: A species of Garra having slender body,
SL; trilobed proboscis on snout; mental disc well emarginated caudal fin; 8 branched dorsal fin rays;
developed; a pair of rostral barbels; 9 branched dorsal 35 lateral line scales; body with minute black spots
fin rays; 31–32 lateral line scales; 8–9 predorsal scales; arranged in series on either side of lateral line; distance
distance of vent to anal fin 3.3–4.9 times in inter- between vent and anal fin 2.7-3.4 times that between
distance between pelvic fin origin and anal fin. anterior origins of anal and ventral fins.
Distribution: Karnataka and Maharashtra. Distribution: Periyar River in Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
55. Garra compressa Kosygin & Vishwanath, 1998 58. Garra gotyla stenorhynchus Jerdon, 1849
1998. Garra compressus Kosygin & Vishwanath, 1849. Gonorhynchus stenorhynchus Jerdon, Madras
Journal of the Freshwater Biology, 10(1–2): 45, figs. 1 & Journal of Literature and Science, 15: 310 (type locality:
2 (type locality: Wanze stream at Khamsom, 25°12′N, Bhowany River, at the foot of the Neilgherry hills,
94°32′E, Manipur, India). southern India).
Common Name: None. Common Name: Nilgiris garra.
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no proboscis Diagnosis: A species of Garra with well-developed
on the snout; laterally compressed body; 7 branched median proboscis and a transverse lobe on snout;
dorsal fin rays; 39–40 lateral line scales; position of 32–35 lateral line scales; 8–10 predorsal scales; distance
vent slightly nearer to pelvic fin origin than anal fin of vent from anal fin 3.2–6.0 times in inter-distance
origin; a distinct transverse black bar on dorsal fin and between pelvic fin origin and anal fin; a black spot at
a longitudinal black band on median rays of caudal fin. upper angle of gill opening; a row of dark spots at base
of branched dorsal fin rays.
Distribution: Manipur.
Distribution: Cauvery and Krishna drainages,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Western Ghats.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
56. Garra elongata Vishwanath & Kosygin, 2000
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
2000. Garra elongata Vishwanath & Kosygin, J.
59. Garra hughi Silas, 1955
Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 97(3): 408, pl. 1, figs. 1–3 (type
locality: Hill stream near Tolloi, 25°12′N, 94°20′E, 1955. Garra hughi Silas, Rec. Indian Mus., 52(1): 2, pl.
Chindwin basin, Manipur, India, elevation about 2016 4, figs. 1–4 (type locality: Stream in Lower Vauguvarrai
meters). Estate, High Range, Travancore, Kerala State, India).
Common Name: None. Common Name: Cardamon garra.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 157
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no proboscis Journal of the Natural History, 2: 587 (type locality:
on snout; 36–38 lateral line scales; middorsal streak Kasyah [Khasi] Hills, Meghalaya, India).
naked; distance of vent from anal fin 1.7–2.7 times in Common Name: Khasi garra.
inter-distance between pelvic fin origin and anal fin;
a dark conspicuous lateral band on body from gill Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no proboscis on
opening to base of caudal fin; a second band along snout; 32–34 lateral line scales; 11–14 predorsal scales;
scaleless areas of dorsum. breast and belly naked; distance of vent from anal fin
2.5–4.6 times in inter-distance between pelvic fin origin
Distribution: Western Ghats. and anal fin; a black spot at upper angle of gill opening;
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. a broad black W-shaped band on anterior half of caudal
fin.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
60. Garra kalakadensis Rema Devi, 1993
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1993. Garra kalakadensis Rema Devi, Rec. zool. Surv.
India, 91(2): 239 (type locality: Pachaiyar, east of IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Sengaltheri, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tirunelveli 63. Garra litanensis Vishwanath, 1993
District, Tamil Nadu, India, elevation 850 meters).
1993. Garra litanensis Vishwanath, Journal of
Common Name: Kalakad Garra, Kalakad Stone Carp. Freshwater Biology, 5(1): 62, figs. 1, 2C–D (type locality:
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with vent to anal base Litan stream, Litan, Manipur, India).
more than 4.0 times in that between anterior origin of Common Name: None.
pelvic and anal fin; large mental disc, width of disc less
than 2.0 times in width of head; tip of snout marked Diagnosis: A species of Garra with well developed
proboscis, breast and belly naked, distance of vent from
off by a transverse groove; dorsal fin inserted distinctly
anal fin 3.3–3.9 times in interdistance between pelvic fin
nearer tip of snout than caudal fin base.
origin and anal fin.
Distribution: Pachaiyar, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary
Distribution: Manipur.
in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
64. Garra manipurensis Vishwanath &
61. Garra kalpangi Nebeshwar, Bagra & Das, 2012 Sarojnalini, 1988
2012. Garra kalpangi Nebeshwar, Bagra & Das, Journal 1988. Garra manipurensis Vishwanath & Sarojnalini,
of Threatened Taxa, 4(2): 2355 (type locality: River at Jap. J. Ichthyol., 35(2): 124, fig. 1 (type locality: Manipur
Yachuli (Brahmaputra River system), 27°25′54″N, River at Sherou, Manipur, India).
93°46′42″E, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal
Pradesh, India, elevation 843 meters). Common Name: None.
Common Name: None. Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no transverse groove
and proboscis on snout; no scales on chest, 34 lateral
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with two pairs of barbels; line scales; no dark bands on the dorsal and caudal fins;
poorly developed proboscis represented by a squarish distance between vent and anal fin origins one fourth of
area in front of the nostrils; 16 circumpeduncular scales; the distance between ventral and anal fin origins.
8 branched dorsal fin rays; 10–12 branched pectoral-fin
rays; 10–11 predorsal scales; 32–33 lateral line scales. Distribution: Manipur and Mizoram (Brahmaputra
River basin).
Distribution: Kalpangi River at Yachuli (Brahmaputra
River system), Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Pradesh. IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. 65. Garra mcclellandi (Jerdon, 1849)
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. 1849. Gonorhynchus mcclellandi Jerdon, Madras J.
62. Garra lissorhynchus (McClelland, 1842) Lit. Sci., 15: 309 (type locality: Bhowany River, at
the foot of the Neilgherries [Nilgiris], Manantoddy
1842. Platycara lissorhynchus McClelland, Calcutta River, and Cavery River, southern India).
158 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Cauvery garra. Diagnosis: A species of Garra with small sectorial disc,
its width 1.5–2.2 times in head length; two pairs of barbels;
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with a conical snout,
dorsal fin inserted nearer to tip of snout than to caudal fin
its tip marked off by a transverse groove; mental disc
base; 32–34 lateral line scales; 9–11 predorsal scales; breast
well-developed; 2 pairs of barbels, rostral shorter and belly naked; distance of vent from anal fin 3.6–3.8
than eye diameter, maxillary rather rudimentary; times in inter distance between pelvic fin origin and anal
35–38 lateral line scales; 8–10 predorsal scales; fin base; a broad lateral band on sides; a dusky blotch at
breast and belly scaled; a black spot behind upper caudal fin base.
angle of gill-opening.
Distribution: Peninsular India.
Distribution: Cauvery drainage, Tamil Nadu.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
69. Garra naganensis Hora, 1921
66. Garra menoni Rema Devi & Indra, 1984
1921. Garra naganensis Hora, Rec. Indian Mus., 22(5):
1984. Garra menoni Rema Devi & Indra, Bull. Zool. 667, pl. 25, figs. 2, 2a (type locality: Senapati stream
Surv. India, 5(2–3): 121 (type locality: Kunthi River, near Kairong, Naga Hills, Assam, Nagaland, India).
Silent Valley, Kerala, India, elevation 867 meters).
Common Name: Naga garra.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no proboscis on
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with rounded and snout; 2 pairs of barbels, shorter than eye diameter; dorsal
smooth snout; two pais of barbels, smaller than eye fin inserted almost midway between tip of snout and
diameter; 32–36 lateral line scales; no scales on chest caudal fin base; 38–40 lateral line scales; 12–14 predorsal
and belly; distance from vent to anal fin 2.1–5.0 in scales.
that between pelvic and anal fins; a faint lateral band
Distribution:
North-eastern India- Arunachal
from gill opening to the base of caudal fin.
Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland.
Distribution: Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
70. Garra nambulica Vishwanath & Joyshree, 2005
67. Garra mlapparaensis Madhusoodana Kurup &
2005. Garra nambulica Vishwanath & Joyshree, Zoos’
Radhakrishnan, 2011
Print Journal, 20(4): 1832 (type locality: Ireng lok, stream
2011. Garra mlapparaensis Madhusoodana Kurup of Nambul River, Singda village, Manipur, India).
& Radhakrishnan, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 107(3) Common Name: None.
[2010]: 221, Fig. 2 (type locality: Mlappara, upstream
of Periyar River, Kerala, India). Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no proboscis
and transverse groove on snout; 34–35 lateral line
Common Name: None. scales; 16–29 predorsal scales; chest and belly
Diagnosis: A species of Garra having an elongate, naked; 10 gill rakers; dorsal fin origin nearer caudal
slender body; 7 branched dorsal fin rays; complete fin base than snout tip; caudal fin with a W-shaped
lateral line with 36 scales; scales on the lateral sides blue black band.
have blackish posterior ends; distance between vent Distribution: Nambul River, Manipur.
and anal fin 3.15 times that of the distance between
origins of anal and ventral fins; forked caudal fin. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic. 71. Garra namyaensis Shangningam &
Vishwanath 2012
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
2012. Garra namyaensis Shangningam & Vishwanath,
68. Garra mullya (Sykes, 1839) International Scholarly Research Network, ISRN
1839. Chondrostoma mullya Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc. Zoology, 2012: 1, fig. 1; Ichthol. Explor. Freshwat., 23(1):
London, 1838(6): 160 (type locality: Deccan, India). 10 (type locality: Namya River, close to Indo-Myanmar
border, Ukhrul District, Manipur state, India).
Common Name: Mullya garra.
Common Name: None.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 159
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with smoothly Mishmee [Mishmi] Hills., Arunachal Pradesh, India,
rounded snout, prominent triangular-shaped rostral 27°45′N, 96°20′E, elevation 1000 feet).
lobe with 10–11 strong, conical tubercles; proboscis Common Name: Mishmi garra.
and transverse groove absent; two pairs of barbels; 31
lateral line scales, 14 circumpeduncular scales; broad Diagnosis: A species of Garra with fusiform body,
black band near posterior margin of dorsal fin; a distict its depth 4.2–6.2 times in SL; no proboscis on snout;
W-shaped black band in caudal fin. suctoral disc well developed; two pairs of barbels,
smaller than eye diameter; 32–34 lateral line scales;
Distribution: Namya River, Ukhrul district, Manipur a black spot behind upper angle of gill opening; an
(Chindwin basin). indistinct blotch near caudal fin base; a W-shaped
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. marking on caudal fin.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Distribution:
Manipur and Mishmi hills in
Arunachal Pradesh.
72. Garra paralissorhynchus Vishwanath &
Shanta Devi, 2005 Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
2005. Garra paralissorhynchus Vishwanath & Shanta IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
Devi, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 102(1): 86, fig. 1 75. Garra surendranathanii Shaji,
(type locality: Khuga River, Churachandpur District, Arun & Easa, 1996
Manipur, India).
1996. Garra surendranathanii Shaji, Arun & Easa, J.
Common Name: None. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 93(3): 572, fig. 1 (type locality:
Diagnosis: A species of Garra with no transverse Orukomban, tributary to Chalakkudy River, 10°22′N,
groove and proboscis on the snout; no scales on chest 76°41′E, Kerala, India, elevation 483 meters).
and belly; dark streak near the free margin of dorsal fin; Common Name: Periyar Garra.
a thin and light black W-shaped band on the posterior
Diagnosis: A species of Garra having very elongate
half of caudal fin and one or two dark vertical lines
body, its depth 6.2-8.0 times in SL; snout with many
anterior to the W-shaped band.
tubercles, no transverse groove on it; 2 pairs of barbels;
Distribution: Khuga River, Manipur. mental disc 6.3 – 7.1% SL; 35-36 lateral line scales;
naked chest; distance between vent to anal fin 44-46%
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
in the inter-distance between pelvic fin and anal fin
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. origins; scales with black edges.
73. Garra periyarensis Gopi, 2001 Distribution: Orukomban, tributary of Chalakudy
river; Ayyappankovil, Periyar river; Mookkampally
2001. Garra periyarensis Gopi, J. Bombay nat. Hist. tributary of Pamba river.
Soc., 98(1): 80, fis. 1–4 (type locality: Periyar River,
Thankkudy, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala State, India). Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. It prefers fast flowing
streams with pool riffles and cascades (Raghavan et al.,
Common Name: None. 2008) and with varying levels of substrates including
Diagnosis: A species of Garra having elongate and sand, pebbles, boulders and bed rock (Shaji et al.,
slender body; 37–39 lateral line scales; breast and 1996).
belly naked; a prominent, tuberculated, knob-like IUCN Status: Endangered.
protuberance (antero-rostral lobe) on snout; an
indistinct midlateral band from the gill opening to the 76. Horalabiosa arunachalami Johnson
base of caudal fin. & Soranam, 2001
79. Hypselobarbus curmuca (Hamilton, 1807) 1870. Barbus (Barbodes) jerdoni Day, Proc. Zool. Soc.
London, 1870(2): 372 (type locality: Mangalore, India).
1807. Cyprinus curmuca Hamilton, A journey from
Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Common Name: None.
Malabar, 3: 344, pl. 30 (type locality: Karnatae River, Diagnosis: A species of Hypselobarbus with
Mysore, India). moderately deep body without any bands or spots
Common Name: Curmuca barb. on body; two pairs of barbels; dorsal fin rays weak,
articulated, 8–9 branched rays; complete lateral line
Diagnosis: A species of Hypselobarbus with 38–42 lateral having 26–32 scales; caudal fin tipped black.
line scales; only one pair of barbels (maxillary pair); dorsal
spine weak and smooth; 11 rays in dorsal fin; 8 rays in anal Distribution: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and
fin; 9 rays in pelvic fin; lips fleshy and densely papilliated. Maharashtra.
Distribution: Western Ghats. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic; occurs in IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
rivers, usually in deep pools and shady parts in the hilly 83. Hypselobarbus kolus (Sykes, 1839)
regions. Lives and breeds in hilly terrain but comes down
to tidal reaches for feeding; spawns in small streams with 1839. Barbus kolus Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
sandy and weedy bottoms. 1838 (6): 159 (type locality: Deccan, India).
IUCN Status: Endangered. Common Name: Kolus Barb, Shooting Barb.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 161
86. Hypselobarbus micropogon (Valenciennes, 1842) 88. Hypselobarbus periyarensis (Raj, 1941)
1842. Barbus micropogon Valenciennes, in Cuvier & 1941. Barbus micropogon periyarensis Raj, Records
Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 16: 188 (type locality: of the Indian Museum, 43: 375 (type locality: Periyar
Mysore, India). Lake, Travancore, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Hypselobarbus having deep body Diagnosis: A species of Hypselobarbus having
without any colour bands; 2 pairs of barbels; dorsal ray moderately deep body without bands; two pairs of
very long, longer than body depth or head length, osseous, barbels; serrated long dorsal spine, longer than head
strong, serrated; complete lateral line with 38–41 scales. length and body depth; complete lateral line with
42–43 scales.
162 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
line and pelvic fin base; snout slightly projecting over Diagnosis: A species of Labeo with elongate body, its
mouth, devoid of lateral lobe; 39 lateral line scales; dorsal and ventral profile equally convex; head 4.0 in SL;
most of scales darkest at their edges; a bluish spot on snout slightly projected beyond mouth; eyes visible from
operculum. underside of head, its diameter 4 times in head; lips thick,
lower lip more fimbriated than upper; a small maxillary
Distribution: Krishna and Godavari river systems of
pair of barbels concealed under groove; dorsal fin inserted
Western Ghats.
nearer to tip of snout than caudal fin base; 50 lateral line
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. scales.
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Distribution: Udaipur, Rajasthan.
95. Labeo potail (Sykes, 1839) Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1839. Cyprinus potail Sykes, Transactions of the Zoological IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Society of London, 2: 354 (type locality: Deccan, India).
98. Laubuca dadiburjori Menon, 1952
Common Name: Deccan labeo.
1952. Laubuca dadiburjori Menon, Records of the Indian
Diagnosis: A species of Labeo with elongate body, its Museum, 49: 1 (type locality: Cochin, Kerala, India).
dorsal profile slightly more convex than ventral; head
Common Name: Burjor’s Brilliance, Dadio.
length 5 times in SL; snout overhanging mouth, often
with fine pores; eyes not visible from underside of head, Diagnosis: A Danionin fish of Laubuca species without
its diameter 4–6 in head length; mouth small and inferior; symphysial knob; predorsal scales not extending to
one pair of maxillary barbels; dorsal fin inserted slightly interorbital space; lateral line incomplete or absent;
nearer to tip of snout than caudal fin base; 39–40 lateral abdomen keeled from below pelvic origin to anus.
line scales.
Distribution: Tamil Nadu, Goa.
Distribution:
Deccan- Krishna and Tungabhadra
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; pelagic.
drainage.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
99. Laubuca fasciata (Silas, 1958)
IUCN Status: Endangered.
1958. Chela (Allochela) fasciata Silas, J. Bombay nat.
96. Labeo rajasthanicus Datta & Majumdar, 1970
Hist. Soc., 55(1): 87, Pl. 2 (type locality: Annamalai
1970. Labeo rajasthanicus Datta & Majumdar, Rec. zool. River at base of Annamalai Hills, Chittur Taluk,
Surv. India, 62(1/2): 83, figs. 2 and pl.8, fig. 3 (type locality: Malabar, Kerala State, India).
Jaisamand Lake, near Kherad village, about 61 kilometers
Common Name: Malabar Hatchet Chela.
southeast of Udaipur, Udaipur District, Rajasthan, India).
Diagnosis: A Danionin fish of Laubuca species
Common Name: Rajasthan labeo.
without symphysial knob; predorsal scales not
Diagnosis: A species of Labeo with elongate body, its extending to interorbital space; lateral line complete;
dorsal profile more convex than ventral; head 4.0 in 9 or 10 rows of scales in transverse series from mid-
standard length; snout overhanging mouth; eyes not dorsal row to pelvic fin base; abdomen keeled from
visible from underside of head, its diameter 5.2 in head; below pelvic origin to anus.
mouth sub-inforior; two pairs of barbels; dorsal fin
Distribution: Annamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu.
inserted nearer to tip of snout than caudal fin base; lateral
line with 60 scales. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Udaipur district, Rajasthan. IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. 100. Lepidopygopsis typus Raj, 1941
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. 1941. Lepidopygopsis typus Raj, Records of the Indian
Museum, 43(2): 210 (type locality: Periyar Lake,
97. Labeo udaipurensis Tilak, 1968
Travancore, India, elevation 2709 feet).
1968. Labeo udaipurensis Tilak, Ann. Zool., 26(15): 351,
Common Name: Peninsular Hill Trout, Periyar Trout.
fig. 1 (type locality: Fateh Sagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan,
India). Diagnosis: A species of Lepidopygopsis having
elongate and compressed body; no scales on head, only
Common Name: Udaipur labeo.
164 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
compressed body, its depth 2.1–2.3 in SL; abdominal edge body, its depth 3 in SL; swollen snout; overhanging jaws;
sharp and trenchant between pelvic and anal fin base; a three rows of large pores on snout; a thin cartilaginous
minute maxillary pair of barbels; dorsal spine moderately covering on both jaws; no barbels; strong dorsal spine,
strong and denticulated; 68–70 lateral line scales; 28–30 but not serrated; 39–40 lateral line scales.
predorsal scales.
Distribution: Nilgiris, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu.
Distribution: Godavari river, Andhra Pradesh.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
110. Osteochilus godavariensis Babu Rao 1977
107. Osteobrama neilli (Day, 1873)
1977. Osteochilichthys godavariensis Babu Rao, Science
1873. Rohtee neilli Day, Proceedings of the Zoological and Culture, 43(11): 491, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Kirkee
Society of London, (1): 239 (type locality: Rivers near the Nalla, Chandkas, Nagar Distr., Maharashtra, India).
base of Neilgherry Hills in Madras, India).
Common Name: Chandkas barb.
Common Name: Nilgiri osteobrama.
Diagnosis: A species of Osteochilus with oblong body,
Diagnosis: A species of Osteobrama with considerably its depth 3.0 to 3.5 in SL; snout overhanging, covered
trapezoid and compressed body, its depth 2.7–3.1 in SL; with papillae; lower jaw with cartilaginous covering
abdominal edge sharp between pelvic and anal fin base; internally; lips fringed, lower lip with three rows of well-
two pairs of barbels; dorsal spine very strong and serrated; developed papillae; two pairs of barbels; last unbranched
55–60 lateral line scales; 20–22 predorsal scales. dorsal fin ray non-osseus; lateral line complete with 39
scales.
Distribution: Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka,
Maharashtra. Distribution: Godavari and Krishna River drainages.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Least Concern. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
108. Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes, 1839) 111. Osteochilus longidorsalis (Pethiyagoda
& Kottelat, 1994)
1839. Rohtee vigorsii Sykes, Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of London, (6): 162 (type locality: Bhima River at 1994. Osteochilichthys longidorsalis Pethiyagoda
Pairgoan, ca. 18.506°N, 74.704°E, Maharashtra, India). & Kottelat, Journal of South Asian Natural History,
1(1): 99, Figs. 2–5 (type locality: Chalakudy River,
Common Name:
Bheema osteobrama, Godavari
26 kilometers upstream of Chalakudy town, near
Osteobrama.
Vettilappara, Kerala, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Osteobrama with considerably
Common Name: Hiffin Carp, Long Finned Barb.
compressed body, its depth 2.8 to 3 in SL; abdominal edge
sharp between pelvic and anal fin base; small mouth; a Diagnosis: A species of Osteocheilus having 10
pair of rudimentary maxillary barbels; dorsal spine very branched rays in dorsal fin, last simple ray distinctly
strong and denticulated; 73–85 lateral line scales; 33–37 elongated; lower jaw not covered by lip; a horney
predorsal scales. covering inside lower jaw; lateral line complete, with
39 to 43 scales.
Distribution:
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha,
Andhra Pradesh. Distribution: Chalakudy River in Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; inhabits torrential
streams with clear water and moderate canopy cover
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
(Shaji and Easa, 2003) with boulders, cobbles and
109. Osteochilichthys brevidorsalis (Day, 1873) bed rock as the major substrates (Ali and Raghavan,
2011).
1873. Semiplotus brevidorsalis Day, Proceedings of the
Zoological Society of London, 1873(1): 239 (type locality: IUCN Status: Endangered.
Rivers below Neilgherry Hills, Western Ghats, India).
112. Osteochilus nashii (Day, 1869)
Common Name: Kantaka barb.
1869. Barbus nashii Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
Diagnosis: A species of Osteochilichthys with oblong 1869 (3): 584 (type locality: Fraserpett River, at base
166 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
of Coorg Hills, Croorg District, Karnataka, India). 2003. Puntius bizonatus Vishwanath & Laisram, J.
Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 101(1):131, Fig. 1 (type locality:
Common Name: Nash’s barb.
Yu River drainage in Manipur, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Osteochilus with oblong
Common Name: None.
body, its depth 3.2 to 3.6 in SL; overhanging snout;
inferior and broad mouth; each jaw with cartilaginous Diagnosis: A barb with a black band forming a ring
covering; no barbels; dorsal fin without any osseus around caudal peduncle and a vertical band on 3rd
ray; 40–43 lateral line scales. and 4th lateral line scale; barbels absent; weak but
posteriorly serrated 3rd undivided dorsal fin ray;
Distribution: Krishna and Godavari river systems in
lateral transeverse scales 4–1–2; circumpeduncular
Deccan; Nilgiris and Annamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu;
scales 12; predorsal scales 8–10; lateral line incomplete
Wynaad in Kerala.
with 5 to 7 pored scales; gill rakers 5 + 15 – 18.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Lokchao River, Moreh, Manipur.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit rivers and streams.
113. Osteochilus thomassi (Day, 1877)
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
1877. Scaphiodon thomassi Day, The fishes of India,
Remarks: Although, Kullander & Britz (2008) treated
Part 3: 551, Pl. 134, Fig. 1 (type locality: southwestern
this species as synonym of Puntius meinganbii, Knight
Karnataka, India).
et al. (2012) considered it as valid and so in Eschmeyer
Common Name: Konti barb. (2012).
Diagnosis: A species of Osteochilus with moderately 116. Pethia khugae (Linthoingambi &
deep body, its depth 2.8–3.0 times in SL; obtuse Vishwanath, 2007)
snout; overhanging mouth; large pores present on
2007. Puntius khugae Linthoingambi & Vishwanath,
snout and upper lip; lower jaw with horny covering
Zootaxa, No. 1450: 49, Fig. 4 (type locality: Khuga River
at anterior side; lower lip papillated along its anterior
(Chindwin Basin) at Churachandpur District, Manipur,
border, followed by a transverse series of small pores;
India).
no barbels; last unbranched dorsal finray weak and
articulated; 39 lateral line scales. Common Name: None.
Distribution: South Karnataka. Diagnosis: A barb with unbranched osseous dorsal
fin ray serrated posteriorly with 10–12 serrae, its
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
length 16.0–20.9% SL; predorsal scales 11–12; lateral
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. line incomplete with 8–11 pored scales; 28–30 scales
in lateral series; transverse scales 5½–1–4½; black
114. Pethia ater (Linthoingambi &
blotch on caudal peduncle at level of one scale behind
Vishwanath, 2007)
posterior end of anal fin origin.
2007. Puntius ater Linthoingambi & Vishwanath,
Distribution: Manipur.
Zootaxa, No. 1450: 46, Fig. 1 (type locality: Iril River
at Bamonkampu, Manipur State, India). Habit and Habitat: Inhabits moderate to fast flowing
river.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Diagnosis: A barb with weak and posteriorly
serrated last dorsal undivided ray; 10 or 11 predorsal 117. Pethia manipurensis (Menon, Rema Devi &
scales; lateral line incomplete with 5–11 pored scales; Viswanath, 2000)
a black longitudinal stripe along lateral line and a
2000. Puntius manipurensis Menon, Rema Devi &
black spot extending over 19th and 20th scales of
Vishwanath, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 97(2): 263, Pls. 1–2
lateral line at the level above the posterior end of the
(type locality: Manipur, India)
anal fin base; edge of dorsal fin black.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Manipur.
Diagnosis: A barb with unbranched osseous dorsal fin
Habit and Habitat: inhabits rivers, lakes and ponds.
ray serrated posteriorly; no barbels; lateral line incomplete
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. with 3 to 5 pored scales, lateral series scales 24 or 25;
humal spot slightly abobe lateral line; black blotch on
115. Pethia bizonatus (Vishwanath & Laisram, 2004)
Mishra et al.: Pisces 167
caudal peduncle posterior to anal fin insetion. Distribution: Lokchao River, Moreh, Manipur.
Distribution: Loktak Lake, Manipur. Habit and Habitat: Inhabits mountain streams and
rivers.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow lakes.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
121. Pethia pookodensis (Mercy & Jacob, 2007)
118. Pethia muvattupuzhaensis (Jameela Beevi &
Ramachandran, 2005) 2007. Puntius pookodensis Mercy & Jacob, J. Bombay nat.
Hist. Soc., 104(1): 76, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Pookode
2005. Puntius muvattupuzhaensis Jameela Beevi &
Lake, 11°07′–11°42′N, 76°01–76°18′E, Wayanad District,
Ramachandran, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 102(1):83,
Kerala, India).
Fig. 1 (type locality: Muvattupuzha River, Ooramana,
Ernakulam District, Kerala, India). Common Name: Pookode Lake barb.
Common Name: None. Diagnosis: An elongate barb without barbel and with
an osseous third dorsal-fin ray serrated posteriorly. Body
Diagnosis: A barb with a complte lateral line; no
iridescent silver; fins yellowish and two spots along the
barbels; 3rd undivided dorsal ray with posterior
lateral line, one on shoulder, one on caudal peduncle,
serrations; a black spot abobe pectoral fin one scale
joined by a thin dark line. A faint third spot may present
below lateral line and a large caudal spot behind anal
at middle.
fin; dorsal fin without spot.
Distribution: Pookode Lake, Wayanad district, Kerala.
Distribution: Muvattupuzha River, Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Bentopelagic, freshwater fish.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit lower reaches of rivers
with sand and gravel as major substrates. IUCN Status: Critically endangered.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 122. Pethia punctata (Day, 1865)
119. Pethia narayani (Hora, 1937) 1865. Puntius punctatus Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
1865 (1): 302 (type locality: Cochin, India).
1937. Barbus narayani Hora, Rec. Indian Mus., 39(1):
24, Fig. 10 (type locality: Cauvery River, Coorg State, Common Name: None.
Karnataka, southern India).
Diagnosis: A species of Barb having yellowish fins,
Common Name: Narayan barb. dorsal and anal tipped with orange; dorsal fin with
two rows of black spots; 8 predorsal scales; lateral line
Diagnosis: A barb with weak last undivided dorsal
complete with 23–24 scales; 3 rows of scales between
spine nonosseous; no barbels; dorsal fin inserted nearer
lateral line and the base of the pelvic fin; last undivided
to tip of snout than to caudal fin base, with 9 branched
dorsal fin ray osseous, strong, serrated, and about as
rays; three vertical bars on body; caudal fin tipped red.
long as the head.
Distribution: Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
Distribution: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit clear streams in shallow
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic;
areas with a sandy bottom along with submerged leaf
inhabits ponds and streams.
litter.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
123. Pethia setnai (Chhapgar & Sane, 1992)
120. Pethia ornatus (Vishwanath & Laisram, 2004)
1992. Puntius setnai Chhapgar & Sane, J. Bombay nat.
2004. Puntius ornatus Vishwanath & Laisram, J. Bombay
Hist. Soc., 89(3): 357 (type locality: Sanguem, Goa, west
nat. Hist. Soc., 101(1): 132, Fig. 2 (type locality: Lokchao
coast of India).
River, Moreh, Manipur, India).
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A barb with a large humeral spot on lateral
Diagnosis: A barb with weak but posteriorly serrated last
line above pectoral fin spread 2–3 scale wide and 3–4
undivided dorsal fin ray; devoid of barbels; dark circular
scale high; a caudal spot commencing above anal fin base;
band around caudal peduncle; lateral line with 5 to 20
lateral line complete, with 20 scales; 7 predorsal scales.
pored scales; gill rakers 5 + 18; circumpeduncular scales
11 or 12; lateral transverse scales 4½–1–2½. Distribution: Goa, Karnataka.
168 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow and clear water of Habit and Habitat: Freshwater, benthopelagic.
hill streams. Inhabit streams and ponds in plains.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. IUCN Status: Data Deficient. The range of the species
is threatened by tourism, urbanisation and mining
124. Pethia shalynius (Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975) activities.
1975. Puntius shalynius Yazdani & Talukdar, J. Bombay 127. Puntius arenatus (Day, 1878)
nat. Hist. Soc., 72(1): 218 (type locality: Barapani Lake,
about 20 kilometers north of Shillong, Khasi Hills, 1878. Barbus arenatus Day, Fish. India, (4): 574, Pl.
Meghalaya, India). 142 (fig. 7) (type locality: Madras, India).
Common Name: Shalyni barb. Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A barb with last unbranched dorsal fin ray Diagnosis: A barb with no distinctive mark on body;
strong, osseous and serrated; dorsal fin inserted nearer dorsal fin with a dark band; lateral line scales 26; last
to caudal fin base than to snout tip; no barbels; lateral unbranched dorsal ray osseous; barbels two pairs.
line incomplete, with 11 or less scales; lateral series scales Distribution: Tamil Nadu, Kerala.
20–23; predorsal scales 9 or 10; two distinct dark blotches
on sides of caudal peduncle and a horizontal blue line on Habit and Habitat: Inhabit moderately flowing
sides. streams, canals and outlets of wetlands.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit mid stream reaches of lateral band on flanks, black spots at caudal fin base
rivers and rarely in upstreams, usually in rocky pools and osseous ray of dorsal fin dark brown.
with vegetation on its banks and sand or bed rock
Distribution: Maharashtra.
substrates.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; no information
IUCN Status: Endangered.
available.
130. Puntius coorgensis Jayaram, 1982
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
1982. Puntius coorgensis Jayaram, Matsya, 7: 47, Fig.
133. Puntius denisonii (Day, 1865)
1 (type locality: Cauvery River at Bhagamandala, 33
kilometers southwest of Mercara, Coorg District, 1865. Labeo denisonii Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1865
Karnataka, India). (1): 299 (type locality: Mundakayam, Travancore, India).
Common Name: None. Common Name: Denison’s Barb, Miss Kerala or Red
line torpedo barb.
Diagnosis: A barb with weak, nonosseous last
unbranched dorsal fin ray; no barbels; body uniform, Diagnosis: A barb with a black band and a scarlet
without vertical bars or spots; fins colourless. stripe from snout to mid-caudal region; and an oblique
black caudal fin band on posterior-third of each lobe;
Distribution: Coorg district, Karnataka.
barbels one maxillary pair only; head about 4.5 in SL;
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater river. depth about 3.75 in SL; last unbranched dorsal ray
non-osseous, weak; lateral line complete, with about
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
28 scales; predorsal scales 9.
Remarks: Talwar & Jhingran (1991) relegated this
Distribution: Western Ghats, Kerala.
species to synonym of Puntius vittatus, whereas
Yazdani & Singh (1994) and Jayaram (2010) treated Habit and Habitat: Inhabit streams in vicinity of
P. coorgensis as valid. However, Eschmeyer (2012) rock pools with overhanging vegetation on its banks
consider it as synonym of Oreichthys cosuatis (Hamilton with sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders as substrates;
1822) following Menon (1999). benthopelagic; found in soals.
131. Puntius crescentus Yazdani & Singh, 1994 IUCN Status: Endangered.
1994. Puntius crescentus Yazdani & Singh, J. Bombay 134. Puntius dorsalis (Jerdon, 1849)
nat. Hist. Soc., 91(2): 107, Fig. 1 (type locality:
1849. Systomus dorsalis Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci.,
Kalinadi at Sunderi, about 7 kilometers east of Karwar,
15(2): 314 (type locality: Madras, southern India).
Karnataka, Southern India).
Common Name: Long snout barb.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A barb with only one pair of barbels
Diagnosis: A barb with a vertical crescentic dark
(maxillary pair); last unbranched dorsal fin ray
band on dorsal fin; a caudal spot and a horhizontal
osseous, strong and smooth; lateral line complete with
dark band on middle of body; last undivided ray of
22 to 28 scales; dorsal fin origin nearer to caudal fin
dorsal fin nonosseous;
base than to snout tip; a black blotch on base of caudal
Distribution: Karnataka. fin and an indistinct black band on lateral line.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater rivers. Distribution:
Peninsular India (Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Odisha, Madhya Pradesh).
132. Puntius deccanensis Yazdani & Babu Rao, 1976
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits rivers, streams, ponds
1976. Puntius deccanensis Yazdani & Babu Rao, J. and lakes; usually found in flowing water, with sandy
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 73(1): 171, Fig. 1 (type locality: and gravel substrate; preferrably runs and slow flowing
Nalla near Katraj tank, 13 kilometers south of Poona, waters.
Maharashtra, western India).
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Common Name: Deccan barb.
135. Puntius fraseri (Hora & Misra, 1938)
Diagnosis: A barb with only one pair of barbel; last
1938. Barbus fraseri Hora & Misra, J. Bombay nat.
unbranched dorsal ray osseous, robust and serrated;
Hist. Soc., 40(1): 29, fig. 4; pl. 3, fig. 2 (type locality:
dorsal fin with 9 branched rays; lateral line complete,
Darna River, Deolali, Mumbai State, India).
with 42 to 44 scales; dark brown on back, a diffuse dark
170 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Diagnosis: A barb with last unbranched dorsal fin ray
non osseous; 30–32 lateral line scales; forked caudal fin.
137. Puntius madhusoodani Kumar, Benno Pereira
& Radhakrishnan, 2012 Distribution: Manipur.
2012. Puntius madhusoodani Kumar, Benno Habit and Habitat: Inhabits hill streams.
Pereira & Radhakrishnan, Biosystematica, 5(2): 32, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Figs. 1, 3–5 (Type locality: Manimala River, near
Thirumoolapuram, Thiruvalla, Pattanamthitta 140. Puntius mudumalaiensis Menon &
District, Kerala, India, 9.3618°N, 76.5880°E, Rema Devi, 1992
elevation 8.5 meters). 1992. Puntius mudumalaiensis Menon & Rema Devi, J.
Common Name: None. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 89(2): 229, Fig. 1 (type locality:
Kakkanhalla road, Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Barb with the presence of
one pair of short maxillary barbels, less than eye Common Name: None.
diameter and 4.39% in SL; smaller snout forming Diagnosis: A barb with fleshy lips that folded back
8.06% in SL; 25–26 lateral line scales; dorsal fin encloses a deep groove; only one pair of barbels (maxillary
inserted nearer to tip of snout than to caudal fin pair); lateral line incomplete, 26 scales on lateral line; two
base; absence of spot at the dorsal fin base; paired dark blotches on body, one at dorsal fin base, second on
fins hyaline, and the branched rays of the dorsal caudal peduncle; a faint lateral band.
and anal fin tinted with black.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 171
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits hill streams. 146. Puntius sophoroides (Günther 1868)
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. 1868. Barbus sophoroides Günther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., 7:
144 (type locality: Bengal, India).
143. Puntius parrah Day, 1865
Common Name: None.
1865. Puntius parrah Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
1865 (1): 301 (type locality: Rivers and inundated Diagnosis: A barb with last unbranched dorsal ray
paddy-fields, Cochin, India). osseous, smooth; origin of dorsal fin midway between
snout tip and caudal fin base; lateral line scales about 26;
Common Name: Parrah barb. barbels present, shorter than eye diameter; a spot at base of
Diagnosis: A barb with barbels a single maxillary middle dorsal rays and a round black spot at caudal base.
pair only; last unbranched dorsal fin ray osseous and Distribution: West Bengal.
smooth; dorsal fin origin equidistant between tip of
snout and caudal fin base; lateral line complete, with Habit and Habitat: Inhabit free flowing waters of
25 or 26 scales; a diffused black blotch on lateral line rivers.
after 12th scale; a dark bluish horizontal line on flanks. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
172 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
2005. Rasbora ornatus Vishwanath & Laisram, J. Common Name: Bloch Razorbelly Minnow.
Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 101(3): 429, Fig. 1 (type locality: Diagnosis: A species of Salmophasia having 24 to
Lokchao River, a tributary of the Yu River (Chindwin 29 gillrakers on first arch; lateral transverse scales
drainage), Moreh, Manipur State, India). 12–15/3–4; anal fin with 11–12 branched rays; 78 to 94
Common Name: None. scales on lateral line; body uniform silvery.
Diagnosis: A medium-sized Rasbora with an Distribution: Peninsular India.
incomplete lateral line, with 11–20 pored scales; lateral Habit and Habitat: Inhabits upper drainage of large
series scales 26–28; lateral transverse scales 4½–l–2; rivers, also found in lakes and reservoirs.
lips simple; first dorsal fin ray without a fleshy sheath
and the lateral stripe on body running from tip of IUCN Status: Least Concern.
snout to the end of median caudal fin rays.
153. Salmophasia belachi (Jayaraj, Krishna Rao,
Distribution: Manipur. Ravichandra Reddy, Shakuntala & Devaraj, 1999)
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits hill streams. 1999. Salmostoma belachi Jayaraj, Krishna Rao,
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. Ravichandra Reddy, Shakuntala & Devaraj, J.
Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 96(1): 113, Fig. 1 (type
150. Rohtee ogilbii Sykes, 1839 locality: Nelligudda reservoir, 35 kilometers from
1839. Rohtee ogilbii Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, Bangalore, southern India).
1838 (6): 161 (type locality: Beema [Bheema] River Common Name: None.
near Pairgaon, Maharashtra, India).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 173
Diagnosis: A species of Salmophasia having 22–24 156. Salmophasia novacula (Valenciennes, 1840)
gill rakers, 13or 14 branched anal fin rays; 86–89
1840. Cyprinus novacula Valenciennes, in Jacquemont,
lateral line scales; mouth interrupted, symphysial Voyage dans l’Inde pendant les années 1828–1832: no
knob on lower jaw fitting right into upper jaw p., Pl. 15 (fig. 2–2a) (type locality: Madras, India).
groove; no barbels; caudal fin forked with lower
lobe longer than the upper. Common Name: Novacula Razor Belly Minnow.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits rivers and tanks; the base of caudal fin; dorsal spine nonosseous, weak and
cultivated in ponds. smooth; snout covered with a patch of indistinct tubercles;
fins brownish yellow tinged with red.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Western Ghats.
165. Tor barakae Arunkumar & Basudha, 2003
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits deep pools in streams
2003. Tor barakae Arunkumar & Basudha, Aquacult.,
with rocky substrates.
4(2): 272, Fig. 1. (type locality: Barak River at Barak
Bridge, Manipur, India). IUCN Status: Endangered.
Common Name: None. 168. Tor neilli (Day, 1869)
Diagnosis: A Tor species having 25 lateral line scales; 1869. Barbus neilli Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1868
9 predorsal scales; dorsal fin inserted nearer to the (3): 581 (type locality: Thungabhadra River at Kurnool,
base of caudal fin, opposite or slightly in advance of southern India).
ventral fin; dorsal spine, weak and smooth, its length
Common Name: None.
shorter than body depth; head length shorter than
body depth; pectoral fin not reaching ventral fin and Diagnosis: A species of Tor having the head longer
height of caudal peduncle 1.1–1.3 in the length of than body depth; dorsal fin inserted nearer to snout
caudal peduncle. than to caudal fin base; dorsal spine weak and
articulated, its length distinctly shorter than body
Distribution: Barak river system in Manipur.
depth below it.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits fast flowing, clear water
Distribution: Western Ghats.
with rocky and boulder substrates.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits mountain streams.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
166. Tor kulkarnii Menon, 1992
Remarks: This species is considered as synonym of
1992. Tor kulkarnii Menon, J. Bombay nat. Hist Soc., Tor kudree (Sykes, 1839) following Talwar & Jhingran
89(2): 222, Pl. 1 (fig. 3)(type locality: Darna River, (1991); but Jayaram (2010) treated it as valid species.
Deolali, Maharashtra, India).
169. Tor progeneius (McClelland, 1839)
Common Name: Dwarf mahseer.
1839. Barbus progeneius McClelland, Asiatic
Diagnosis: A Tor species having fleshy lip, smooth
Researches, 19(2): 270, 334, pl. 56, fig. 3 (type locality:
edged, continuous at the angle of the mouth with
Great rivers in the plains of India).
uninterrupted fold or groove along the lower jaw; two
pairs of barbels, maxillary barbels reaching posterior Common Name: Jungha Mahseer.
margin of the eye; dorsal fin almost in the middle of Diagnosis: A Tor species having 24–27 scales on
the body with its upper margin concave; 24–26 lateral lateral line; 2½ scale row between lateral line and
line scales; 3½ scale rows between lateral line and base pelvic fin base; snout smooth, cheeks with tubercles;
of dorsal fin; base of the scales bear dark blotches. head length almost equal to body depth; dorsal spine
Distribution: Maharashtra. strong, osseous; a fan-shaped flap behind upper lip;
gillrakers 8–10 on lower arm of first arch.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits clear fast flowing streams
with rocky bed. Distribution: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland,
and Uttaranchal.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits large rapid streams with
167. Tor malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)
rocky bottom.
1849. Barbus malabaricus Jerdon, Madras J. Lit. Sci., IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
15(2): 312 (type locality: Mountain streams of Malabar,
India). 170. Tor remadevii Madhusoodana Kurup &
Radhakrishnan 2011
Common Name: Malabar Mahseer.
2011. Tor remadevii Madhusoodana Kurup &
Diagnosis: A Tor species having 21–24 lateral line scales;
Radhakrishnan, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 107(3): 227,
lateral transverse scales 3½–1–2½; head length almost
Fig. 1. (type locality: Pambar River, Chinnar Wildlife
equal to body depth; dorsal fin inserted slightly nearer to
Sanctuary, Kerala, southern India).
176 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: None. Habit and Habitat: Inhabits large rapid streams with
rocky bottom.
Diagnosis: A species of Tor having dorsal fin equal
to depth of the body with a strong osseous spine; IUCN Status: Endangered.
straight head; pointed snout with a terminal or
173. Parapsilorhynchus prateri Hora & Misra, 1938
slightly upturned mouth; fleshy lips; head length
more than body depth; a deep hump at the occiput; 1938. Parapsilorhynchus prateri Hora & Misra, J.
27-29 lateral line scales; greenish to metallic silvery Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 40(1): 32 (type locality: Deolali,
body; reddish fins with black patches. Maharashtra, India).
Distribution: Pambar River, Chinnar Wildlife Common Name: Deolali minnow.
Sanctuary, Kerala.
Diagnosis: A species of Parapsilorhynchus with body as
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits rapid streams with broad as deep, its depth 5.3 to 6.0 in SL; upper lip with a
rocky bottom. prominent fold which is covered with minute tubercles,
lower lip finely papillated; a callous pad behind the lowe
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
lip; a single rostral pair of barbels; 43–47 lateral line
scales.
Family: PSILORHYNCHIDAE
Distribution: Deorali, Maharashtra.
171. Parapsilorhynchus discophorus Hora, 1921
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits large rapid streams with
1921. Parapsilorhynchus discophorus Hora, Rec. rocky bottom.
Indian Mus., 22(1): 14, figs. A–D (type locality: Pophli,
Vashishti valley, western Ghats, Ratnagiri District, IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India). 174. Parapsilorhynchus tentaculatus
Common Name: Ratnagiri minnow. (Annandale, 1919)
Diagnosis: A species of Parapsilorhynchus with fairly 1919. Psilorhynchus tentaculatus Annandale, Records
cylindrical body, its depth 4.0 to 5.0 in SL; small mouth, of the Indian Museum, 16(1): 128, pl.1, figs. 4, 4a (type
crescentic, upper labial fold fringed and covered locality: Hill streamlets at Khandalla, Poona District,
with minute tubercles, lower lip studded with bigger Maharashtra, India, elevation 2000–3000 feet).
tubercles; a distinct callous disc behind the lower Common Name: Khandalla minnow.
lip; a single rostral pair of barbels; eyes visible from
underside of head; dorsal fin inserted above pelvic fin; Diagnosis: A species of Parapsilorhynchus with elongate
33–35 lateral line scales. body, its depth 4.0 to 5.0 in SL; small mouth, upper lip long
and fringed, lower lip bilobed; a small callous pad present
Distribution: Western Ghats of India. behind the lower lip; a single rostral pair of barbels;
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits large rapid streams with eyes large, not visible from underside of head; dorsal fin
rocky bottom. inserted opposite to pelvic fin; 36–39 latral line scales.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. Distribution: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra
Pradesh.
172. Parapsilorhynchus elongatus Singh, 1994
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits large rapid streams with
1994. Parapsilorhynchus elongatus Singh, J. Bombay rocky bottom.
Nat. Hist. Soc., 91(2): 283, fis. 1–2 (type locality: Ghod
River, Khondwal village, Ambegaon taluka, Pune IUCN Status: Least Concern.
District, Maharashtra, India). 175. Psilorhynchus amplicephalus Arunachalam,
Common Name: None. Muralidharan & Sivakumar, 2007
subcylindrical and spindle shaped body; naked 75°10′19.4″E, Korkanhalla, Karnaaka, India).
abdomen; horizontally placed pectoral and pelvic
Common Name: None.
fins; 32–36 lateral line scales; 9–11 predorsal scales; 10
circumpeduncular scales; a dark brownish spots in the Diagnosis: A species of Psilorhynchus having 35–37
predorsal region and also along the sides of body. lateral line scales; 5–6 simple and 10–12 branched
rays on the pectoral fin; 17 rays on the caudal fin; 15
Distribution: Barak River basin, Assam.
body circumferential scales; body depth 16.8–19.8%
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. SL; ventral region free from scales, with 3–4 scale rows
between pelvic fin insertion and pectoral fin insertion
176. Psilorhynchus arunachalensis (Nebeshwar,
along the edge of the body; eye situated on the upper
Bagra & Das, 2007)
part of head, barely visible from ventral aspect; 7 dorsal
2007. Psilorhynchoides arunachalensis Nebeshwar, spots, 3 predorsal and 4 postdorsal; 8 spots on the body
Bagra & Das, Zoos’ Print Journal, 22(3): 1632, Pl. 1; placed in the space between the dorsal spots along the
Figs. 2, 3b, 4b, 5b (type locality: West Kameng District, lateral line; presence of a spot at the insertion region of
Dirang River at Dirang, Brahmaputra River system, paired fins; and the membrane between simple ray and
Arunchal Pradesh, India). few anterior branched rays black.
Common Name: None. Distribution: Khudremukh National Park, Karnataka.
Diagnosis: A species of Psilorhynchus having 8–9 Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic; occurs
simple pectoral fin rays; lunate caudal fin; 42–44 lateral in streams, preferring cobbled substrate; found attached
line scales; body with series of 6–12 dark blotches; to cobbles with their expanded pectoral fins and free
caudal fin with a proximal spot and dusky outer rays swimming in shallow waters with medium flow.
on both the lobes.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Brahmaputra River system, Arunchal
Pradesh. Family: COBITIDAE
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 179. Acantopsis multistigmatus Vishwanath &
177. Psilorhynchus microphthalmus Vishwanath & Laisram, 2005
Manojkumar, 1995 2005. Acantopsis multistigmatus Vishwanath & Laisram,
1995. Psilorhynchus microphthalmus Vishwanath & Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 101(3): 433,
Manojkumar, Jap. J. Ichthyol., 42(3/4): 249, Figs. 1a–d Fig. 1 (type locality: Lokchao River, Manipur, India).
(type locality: Chakpi stream, tributary to Manipur Common Name: None.
River, at Mombi, 24°15′N, 93°55′E, 85 kilometers south
of Imphal, Manipur, westernManojkumar, India). Diagnosis: A species of Acantopsis having a very elongate
and cylindrical body; 14–17 lateral blotches arranged
Common Name: None. longitudinally on the flanks; 17 dark brown saddles
Diagnosis: A species of Psilorhynchus having eye across the back; a pattern of many small, transverse and
diameter 22.0–24.0% head length; 39–40 lateral line horizontal wavy bars and spots arranged longitudinally
scales; 7 branched dorsal fin rays; 12–13 predorsal between the saddles and the blotches; three rows of dark
scales; 4 black ocellus like marks on occiput and brown spots on dorsal fin and two on pelvic fin; no black
several dark spots on lateral line and mid dorsal line spot at the upper base of caudal fin; caudal fin slightly
from dorsal fin origin to caudal peduncle. emarginated.
Distribution: Chakpi stream, Manipur. Distribution: Lokchao River, Manipur.
Habit and Habitat: Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit clear water with
rock and pebble substratum.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
178. Psilorhynchus tenura Arunachalam &
Muralidharan, 2008 180. Botia striata Narayan Rao, 1920
2008. Psilorhynchus tenura Arunachalam & 1920. Botia striata Narayan Rao, Annals and Magazine
Muralidharan, The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 56(2): of Natural History (Series 9), 6(31): 60, Pl. 2, Figs. 4,
406, Fig. 1 (type locality: Tributary of Thunga River 4a–b (type locality: Thumga [Tunga] River, Shimoga,
inside the Khudremukh National Park, 13°20′22.3″N, Mysore State, India).
178 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit shallow and
slow moving streams with gravel bottom.
183. Lepidocephalichthys manipurensis
Arunkumar, 2000 IUCN Status: Least Concern.
2000. Lepidocephalichthys manipurensis Arunkumar, 186. Pangio ammophila Britz, Ali &Raghaban, 2012
Journal of Fish Biology, 57(5): 1097, figs. 4–5 (type 2012. Pangio ammophila Britz, Ali and Raghavan,
locality: Lairok maru, tributary of Lokchao River near Ichthyol.Explor. Freshwaters, 23(1):46 (type locality:
Moreh, Chandel District, Manipur, India). southern Karnataka).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 179
192. Aborichthys rosammai Sen, 2009 195. Acanthocobitis pavonaceus (McClelland, 1839)
2009. Aborichthys rosammai Sen, Rec. zool. Surv. 1839. Cobitis pavonaceus McClelland, Asiatic Researches,
India, 109(2): 15, Pls. 1–2; Fig. 1A–B (type locality: 19(2), 437, Pl. 52 (fig. 1) (type locality: Assam, India).
Pabomukh, Subansiri River, Dhemaji District, Assam,
Common Name: None.
India, 27°34′N, 94°14′E, elevation 32 meters).
Diagnosis: A species of Acanthocobitis having 15–18
Common Name: None.
branched dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line extending
Diagnosis: A species of Aborichthys having vent about the tip of pectoral fin; body marked with 20 half
situated distinctly nearer to caudal fin base than snout- crossbars of darkish grey colour.
tip; 10–11 bands on body; barbels longer than eye
Distribution: Brahmaputra basin in Assam.
diameter; complete lateral line; no black spot at the
upper extremity of caudal fin base; caudal fin truncate. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Assam. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit streams with 196. Balitora laticauda Bhoite, Jadhav &
pebbly bottoms. Dahanukar, 2012
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. 2012. Balitora laticauda Bhoite, Jadhav & Dahanukar,
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 4(11): 3039 (type locality:
193. Aborichthys tikaderi Barman 1985
Stream of Krishna River drainage at Venegaon Village
1985. Aborichthys tikaderi Barman, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. near Krishno River bridge (17.499°N, 74.118°E), Satara
Soc., 81(3): 680, Fig. 1 (type locality: Namdapha Wildlife District, Maharashtra, India, elevation 590 meters).
Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India).
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Balitora with 10 transverse
Diagnosis: A species of Aborichthys having vent situated bands on the dorsal surface, caudal peduncle length
distinctly nearer to snout-tip than caudal fin base; 15–20 versus depth ratio 2.21–2.89; body depth at anus
black vertical bands on body; incomplete lateral line, 9.1–11.4% SL, depth of caudal peduncle 6.3–7.4% SL;
terminating anterior to pelvic fins; caudal fin rounded. 66–68 lateral line scales, 8–9 simple rays in pectoral fin;
two simple rays in the pelvic fin; pre–dorsal fin length
Distribution:
Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary in
43.7–47.4% SL; body depth at dorsal 11.5–13.4% SL.
Arunachal Pradesh.
Distribution:
Krishna River, Satara District,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit streams with
Maharashtra.
pebbly bottoms.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
194. Acanthocobitis mooreh (Sykes, 1839)
197. Balitora mysorensis Hora, 1941
1839. Cobitis mooreh Sykes, Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of London, 1838 (6): 162 (type locality: Deccan, 1941. Balitora mysorensis Hora, Records of the Indian
India). Museum, 43(2): 232, Pl. 8 (fig. 4) (type locality:
Sivasamudram, Cauvery River system, Karnataka, India).
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Acanthocobitis having spindle-
shaped body, its depth 4 to 4.1 times in SL; mouth Diagnosis: A species of Balitora having a slender body,
semicircular, fleshy lips, upper lip with a few rows of its depth 11.88–12.63 % SL; head depressed, broader than
papillae, lower lip interrupted in middle with 2 rounded, high at occiput, its length 23.30–24.75% SL; pectoral fin
raised clusters of small papillae situated on each side of cleft with 8–9 simple rays and 10–11 branched rays; distance
of lower jaw; lateral line incomplete, ending opposite to of vent to anal fin 22.85–26.66% in that between anterior
posterior end of dorsal fin; caudal fin slightly emarginated. origin of pelvic and anal fins.
Distribution: Peninsular India. Distribution: Karnataka.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. It inhabits torrential
streams.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 181
198. Bhavania arunachalensis Nath, Dam, Bhutia, Dey fin inserted behind the origin of pelvic fin, closer to
& Das, 2007 base of caudal fin than the tip of snout; forked caudal
fin, lobes equal; six black broad bands from occiput to
2007. Bhavania arunachalensis Nath, Dam, Bhutia, Dey
the base of caudal fin; fins with black bands.
& Das, Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 107(3):
72, Pl. 1 (figs. 1–3), Pl. 2 (figs. 4–6) (type locality: River Distribution: Lokchao River near Moreh, Manipur.
Noadhing drainage near Namsai, about 30 kilometers
Habit and Habitat: Benthopelagic and inhabits fast
from Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh, India).
flowing parts of hill streams and rivers.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Diagnosis: A species of Bhavania having complete
201. Homaloptera menoni Shaji & Easa, 1995
lateral line with 70–75 scales; smooth and obtusely
rounded snout; ventral mouth; lips thin, upper lip with 1995. Homaloptera menoni Shaji & Easa, J. Bombay
tubercles, longer than lower lip; 3 pairs of barbels, all of Nat. Hist. Soc., 92(3): 395, Fig. 1 a–b (type locality:
equal length; pectoral fin overlapping the pelvic fins at its Indekkuthodu in Siruvani, a tributary of Bhavani,
base; body with eight saddle-shaped blotches on the back, Muthikulam forest, Palghat District, Kerala, India).
longitudinal black band from the caudal base to the tip of
Common Name: None.
lower caudal lobe.
Diagnosis: A species of Homaloptera having
Distribution: Noadhing River basin, Arunachal Pradesh.
subcylindrical body and covered with scales, except on
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. the head and ventral surface; pointed head with four
rostral barbels and 2 maxillary barbels; rostral groove
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
absent; gill opening extends to the ventral surface for a
199. Bhavania australis (Jerdon, 1849) short distance; thick lips, continuous at an angle of the
mouth, non-pappillated.
1849. Platycara australis Jerdon, Madras Journal of
Literature and Science, 15(2): 333 (type locality: Mountain Distribution: Muthikulam forest, Kerala.
stream in the Walliar jungle, Nilgiris, India).
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits high altitude torrential
Common Name: Western Ghats Loach. streams with riffles and cascades as microhabitats.
Diagnosis: A species of Bhavania having head and IUCN Status: Least Concern.
anterior part of the body greatly depressed; gill openings
202. Homaloptera montana Herre, 1945
restricted above base of pectoral fins; mouth small, lips
thick and fleshy, continuous at angles of mouth; the 1945. Homaloptera montana Herre, Journal of the
medium part of lower lip separated from the lateral parts; Washington Academy of Sciences, 35(12): 400 (type
a deep groove between the upper lip and rostral fold; locality: Puthutotam Estate, brook in Anamallai Hills,
pectoral with 19 rays, 6–8 simple. southern India, elevation about 3600 feet).
Distribution: Western Ghats in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Common Name: Anamalai Loach.
Kerala.
Diagnosis: A species of Homaloptera having dorsal fin
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Adapted for living commencing well behind origin of pelvic fin, is origin
in fast flowing, high velocity streams at high altitudes almost equidistant between tip of snout and base of
having low water temperature with boulders and large caudal fin; pectoral fin reaching pelvic base; caudal
pebble substrates (Chhapgar & Manakadan 2000; slightly emarginated posteriorly; 72 scales along lateral
Abraham, 2011). line.
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Distribution: Anamallai Hills, Kerala.
200. Homaloptera manipurensis Arunkumar, 1998 Habit and Habitat: Inhabits torrential streams.
1998. Homaloptera manipurensis Arunkumar, Uttar IUCN Status: Endangered.
Pradesh Journal of Zoology, 18(3): 176, Fig. 1 (type 203. Homaloptera pillaii Indra & Rema Devi, 1981
locality: Lokchao River near Moreh, 110 kilometers
from Imphal City of Manipur, India). 1981. Homaloptera pillaii Indra & Rema Devi, Bull.
Zool. Surv. India, 4(1): 67, Pl. 2, Figs. A–B (type
Common Name: None.
locality: Kunthi River, Western Ghats, Kerala, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Homaloptera having dorsal
Common Name: Silent Valley Loach.
182 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Diagnosis: A species of Homaloptera with 7–9 206. Indoreonectes keralensis (Rita, Banarescu &
branched dorsal fin rays; 11–13 branched pectoral fin Nalbant, 1978)
rays; 83–93 lateral line scales; dark spots irregularly 1978. Oreonectes (Indoreonectes) keralensis Rita,
scattered all over the body except on ventral side; Banarescu & Nalbant, Travaux du Muséum d’Histoire
emarginate caudal fin. Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”, 19: 186, Fig. 1 (type locality:
Distribution: Kunthi River, Western Ghats, Kerala. Tributary of Periyar River, Pampadampara, Kerala,
India).
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Common Name: Kerala Loach.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Diagnosis: A species of Indoreonectes having 7 branched
204. Homaloptera santhamparaiensis Arunachalam, dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, ending above
Johnson & Rema Devi, 2002 middle of pectoral fin; narrow black vertical bands, often
2002. Homaloptera santhamparaiensis Arunachalam, split up below lateral line into numerous stripes or spots;
dentiformes process moderately developed; barbels
Johnson & Rema Devi, Acta Zoologica Taiwanica,
well developed, inner rostral shorter than outer rostral,
13(1): 32, Figs. 1–3 (type locality : Panniyar Stream,
outer rostral slightly shorter than maxillary, extending
a tributary of the Periyar River, above Ponmudi
to margin of eye, maxillary extending to perpendicular
Reservoir at Santhamparai Hills (4 kilometers from from posterior border of eye; dorsal and pectoral fins
Pooparai Village), 9°82′N, 77°15′E, Idukki District of shoter than head lengh; caudal fin rounded.
Kerala, India, elevation 912 meters).
Distribution: Western Ghats, Kerala.
Common Name: Santhampara Loach.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Diagnosis: A species of Homaloptera having dorsal
fin with 9 branched rays, its origin behind the origin of IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
pelvic fin and nearer to caudal fin base than snout tip; 207. Longischistura bhimachari (Hora, 1937)
pectoral fin with 4 simple and 10 branched rays; 88–95
lateral line scales; rostral barbels unequal in size, first 1937. Nemachilus bhimachari Hora, Records of the
Indian Museum, 39(1): 13, Fig. 5 (type locality: Thunga
pair shorter than second pair; body dark brown with
River at Shimoga, Karnataka, southern India).
8–9 blotches on dorsal surface.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Kerala.
Diagnosis: A species of Longischistura having stout
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. body; pointed head, its length equal to the length of
IUCN Status: Endangered. caudal fin; 12 branched dorsal fin rays; width of head
slightly greater than its height; upper jaw is produced
205. Indoreonectes evezardi (Day, 1872) into a break like process in the middle; about 12 black
1872. Nemacheilus evezardi Day, Journal of the bands obliquely directed forward in the anterior
Asiatic Society of Bengal, 41(2): 182 (type locality: region, wider than interspace.
Kotumsar Cave, 18°52′09″N, 81°56′05″E [18°52′10″N, Distribution: Thunga River at Shimoga, Karnataka.
81°56′04″E], Bastar District, Madhya Pradesh, India).
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Indoreonectes having
208. Longischistura striata (Day, 1867)
subcylindrical body with well developed nasal barbel;
rounded caudal fin; short lateral line, ending above 1867. Nemacheilus striata Day, Proceedings of the
middle of pectoral fin; dorsal fin origin rearer to caudal Zoological Society of London, 1867(2): 347 (type
fin base than tip of snout with 7 branched rays; body locality: Wynaad, India, elevation 3000 feet).
with 9–18 brown vertical stripes from back to ventral Common Name: None.
side; big round spots on head; a black spot at base of
dorsal fin origin; 3–4 rows of spots on cadal fin. Diagnosis: A species of Longischistura having 10
branched dorsal fin rays; deeply forked caudal fin;
Distribution: Madhya Pradesh. complete lateral line; 16–20 narrow dark rings on
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. body; short caudal peduncle, its length 12.0–16.33%
of SL.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 183
midway between the snout tip and caudal fin base Diagnosis: A species of Nemacheilus having 7
or slightly nearer to the caudal base; narrow caudal branched dorsal fin rays; 10–11 branched anal fin
peduncle, its least height 12.06–15.83% SL; forked rays; origin of dorsal fin slightly behind the origin
caudal fin with rounded lobes. of the ventral fin and nearer to the caudal fin base
than tip of snout; emarginated caudal fin; body bears
Distribution: Silent Valley National Park, Kerala.
irregular colour markings which form a reticulum in
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. the anterior half of the body, while they take the shape
IUCN Status: Least Concern. of irregular vertical band behind the dorsal fin, 10–11
dark saddle shaped bands on the back.
215. Mesonoemacheilus triangularis (Day, 1865)
Distribution: Stream near Drass, Ladakh.
1865. Nemacheilus triangularis Day, Proceedings
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
of the Zoological Society of London, (1): 295 (type
locality: Hills at Mundikyum, Cochin, Kerala), India). IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Common Name: Zodiac Loach. 218. Nemacheilus kaimurensis Husain & Tilak, 1998
Diagnosis: A species of Mesonoemacheilus having 1998. Nemacheilus kaimurensis Husain & Tilak,
8 branched dorsal fin rays; complete lateral line; Indian Journal of Forestry, 21(2): 131, Figs. 1–4 (type
distance of vent from anal fin 13.04–44.44% in that locality: Kanhar stream, near village of Kota, Chopan,
between anterior origin of pelvic and anal fins; 6–7 District Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, India).
yellowish oblique bands edged with black on body;
Common Name: None.
dorsal and caudal fins banded; a suborbital flap in
male. Distribution: Uttar Pradesh.
Distribution: Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Tamil Nadu.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
219. Nemacheilus monilis Hora, 1921
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
1921. Nemacheilus monilis Hora, Records of the Indian
216. Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale, 1919 Museum, 22(1): 19 (type locality: Edge of Bhavani
River, 10 miles from Mettupalaiyam [Methtupalayam],
1919. Nemacheilus anguilla Annandale, Rec. Indian
near base of Nilgiri Hills, India, elevation 1800 feet).
Mus., 16(1): 127, Pls. 1 (fig. 3), 3 (fig. 1) (type locality:
Yenna River at Medha, Satara District, Maharashtra, Common Name: Spotted Loach.
India).
Diagnosis: A species of Nemacheilus having elongate
Common Name: None. body, its depth 8.0 in SL; small eye not visible from
ventral surface; upper lip raised into a short proboscis
Diagnosis: A species of Nemacheilus having 8 branched
in the centre, lower lip interrupted in the middle;
dorsal fin rays; 19–20 saddle shaped vertical bands on
dorsal fin inserted slightly nearer to caudal fin base
body, as wide as interspaces, restricted to back; a black
than to snout tip; deeply forked caudfal fin; complete
horizontal band along the lateral line; a blackish rounded
lateral line.
spot at middle of base of caudal fin; deeply forked caudal
fin; dorsal fin inserted almost equidistant between tip of Distribution: Nilgiri, Western Ghats.
snout and base of caual fin; almost complete lateral line.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Hill streams with
220. Nemacheilus stigmofasciatus Arunachalam &
pebbles and sand as major substrate.
Muralidharan, 2009
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
2009. Nemacheilus stigmofasciatus Arunachalam
217. Nemacheilus drassensis Tilak, 1990 & Muralidharan, Journal of Threatened Taxa, 1(3):
148, Fig. 1. (type locality: Thuttinjet, Seethanathi
1990. Noemacheilus drassensis Tilak, Rec. Zool. Surv.
River, Karnataka State, 13°23′54.3″N, 75°01′18.2″E,
India, 87(1–4): 136, Fig. 1 (type locality: Stream near
Arunachalam, India, elevation 199 meters).
Drass, Ladakh, India).
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 185
226. Paraschistura montana (McClelland 1838) Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. It is a bottom dweller
of medium to fast flowing streams.
1838. Schistura montana McClelland, Journal of the
Asiatic Society of Bengal, 7: 947, Pl. 55 (Fig. 1) (type locality: IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Mountain streams of Simla, India).
229. Physoschistura tuivaiensis Lokeshwar,
Common Name: None. Vishwanath & Shanta, 2012
Diagnosis: A species of Paraschistura having 7 branched 2012. Physoschistura tuivaiensis Lokeshwor, Vishwanath
dorsal fin rays; complete lateral line; pelvic fin not reaching and Shanta, Taprobanica, 4(1):6, Figs. 1-5 (type locality:
anal opening; emarginated or lunate caudal fin; body with Tuiva River at Likhailok, 24°04’41”N, 93°33’67”E,
10–12 vertical bands, broader than interspaces, anterior Brahmaputra River basin, Churchandpur district,
bands before dorsal fin break up into numerous narrow Manipur).
bands; dorsal fin with a black base and a black blotch at
Common Name: None.
base of its first few rays, a dark bar across its centre.
Diagnosis: A species of Physoschistura having a complete
Distribution: Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
lateral line; 12-14 dark olivaceous blotches on the flank,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams. and 15-17 darkolivaceous saddles on the back;dorsal fin
with 4 simple and 8½ branched rays;8+7 branched caudal
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
fin rays, and 4+8 pores in the infraorbital canal; males with
227. Physoschistura chindwinensis Lokeshwar & a suborbital flap; air bladder with a free posterior chamber.
Vishwanath, 2012
Distribution: Tuiva River, Manipur, India.
2012. Physoschistura chindwinensis Lokeshwor &
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Vishwanath, Ichthyological Research, 59(3): 231, Figs.
1-4 (type locality: Lokchao River at Moreh, 24°15’03”N, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
94°17’59”E, Chindwin basin, Manipur).
230. Schistura aizawlensis Lalramiana, 2012
Common Name: None.
2012. Schistura aizawlensis Lalramiana, Ichthyol. Explor.
Diagnosis: A species of Physoschistura having three Freshwaters, Vol. 23, No. 2: 98 (type locality: Muthi River,
simple and 8½ branched raysin dorsal fin; 13–17 Mizoram).
dark-brown bars on the sides, and 11–16 dark-brown
Common Name: None.
saddles on back; interorbital space with a rectangular
dark-brown shield-like mark; a moderately developed Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 5-7 regular
axillary pelvic lobe; males with a suborbital flap; broad bars; dorsal side of pectoral fin with small tubercles;
preoperculo-mandibular canal with seven pores; air very low or no adipose crest on dorsal and ventral side
bladder with a well-formed free posterior chamber. of caudal peduncle; intestine without loop behind the
stomach.
Distribution: Lokchao River, Chindwin basin,
Manipur, India. Distribution: Muthi River, Mizoram.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
228. Physoschistura elongata Sen & Nalbant, 1982 231. Schistura carletoni (Fowler, 1924)
1982. Physoschistura elongata Sen & Nalbant, Travaux 1924. Noemacheilus carletoni Fowler, Proc. Acad. Nat.
du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”, 23: Sci. Philad., 76: 68, Fig. 2 (type locality: Beas river basin in
210, Figs. 17–20 (type locality : Barapani, near Shillong, Himachal Pradesh, India).
Meghalaya (Brahmaputra basin), India).
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having almost complete
Diagnosis: A species of Physoschistura having slender lateral line; body marked with 16–18 narrow bands not
body, it depth 13.2–17.1% SL; 8 branched dorsal fin extending to ventral surface; dorsal fin inserted nearer
rays; 9–14 cross bars; incomplete lateral line, reaching to base of caudal fin than to snout-tip; caudal fin slightly
up to level of dorsal fin. emerginate; lips fleshy and moderately furrowed, lower lip
interrupted in middle.
Distribution: Brahmaputra basin, Meghalaya.
Distribution: Beas river basin in Himachal Pradesh.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 187
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams. fins with varying rows of well marked brownish spots.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Distribution: Peninsular India and Rajastan.
232. Schistura chindwinica (Tilak & Husain, 1990) Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit rivers and
streams with a cobble, pebble or boulder substrate.
1990. Nemacheilus chindwinicus Tilak & Husain,
Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Berlin, 66(1): 51, Figs. 1–5 (type locality: Tributary
235. Schistura devdevi Hora, 1935
of Chindwin River, Manipur, India).
1935. Schistura devdevi Hora, Records of the Indian
Common Name: None.
Museum, 37(1): 54, Pl. 3 (figs. 5–6) (type locality:
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 Eastern Himalayas; small streams below Darjeeling
branched dorsal fin rays; 8–11 obscure dark gray and Sikkim, India).
bars; male with distinct suborbital flap just below
Common Name: None.
anterior rim of orbit; processus dentiformes not
prominent; no adipose keel on caudal peduncle. Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branched
dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, teminating
Distribution: Manipur.
above pelvic fin; caudal fin lunate; body with 4–6
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill saddles, extending to sides up to lateral line or slightly
streams. beyond as bars; dorsal fin with two rows of black spots
across its rays.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Distribution: Eastern Himalayas; Darjeeling and
233. Schistura dayi (Hora, 1935)
Sikkim.
1935. Nemachilus dayi Hora, Records of the Indian
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
Museum, 37(1): 57 (type locality: Near Raniganj,
Chota-Nagpur, India). IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
Common Name: None. 236. Schistura doonensis Tilak & Husain, 1977
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branched 1977. Schistura doonensis Tilak & Husain, Science
dorsal fin rays; deeply emarginated caudal fin; body and Culture, 43(3): 133 (type locality: Dehra Dun in
marked usually with 12–13 broad vertical bands, as Uttaranchal, India).
wide as interspaces; barbels well developed, thread
Common Name: None.
like, as long as eye diameter; dorsal fin with two
rows of spots; caudal fins with four rows of spots; Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 7 branched
incomplete lateral line, ending at origin to middle dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, ending midway
of dorsal fin. between tip of pectoral fin and origin of ventral fins;
body with 12 bands extending from back to lateral
Distribution: Chhota-Nagpur platue, Bihar;
line of body on post-dorsal part; 22–23 lateral vertical
Bastar Dist., Chattishgarh and Similipal, Odisha.
stripes, not continuous with bands on back in posterior
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. region of body; a dark spot at anterior base of dorsal
fin origin.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal.
234. Schistura denisoni (Day, 1867)
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
1867. Schistura denisoni Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
1867(2): 287 (type locality: Bowany River, base of IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Nilgiris, India).
237. Schistura fasciata Lokeshwor &
Common Name: None. Vishwanath, 2011
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branched 2011. Schistura fasciata Lokeshwor & Vishwanath,
dorsal fin rays; deeply emarginated caudal fin with Journal of Threatened Taxa, 3(2): 1515, Figs. 1–3 (type
rounded lobes; body marked usually with 10–14 bands, locality: Barak River at western side of Maram Hill,
as wide as interspaces; barbels well developed, thread Senapati District, Manipur, India (25°23′24.66″N,
like, as long as eye diameter; incomplete lateral line, 94°04′09.25″E).
ending usually in front of dorsal fin; dorsal and caudal
Common Name: None.
188 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
1935. Schistura inglisi Hora, Records of the Indian 243. Schistura kodaguensis Menon, 1987
Museum, 37(1): 58, Pl. 3 (Figs. 9–10) (type locality: 1987. Noemacheilus kodaguensis Menon, Fauna of India.
Rivers below Darjeeing and in Sikkim, eastern Pisces, 4(1): 108, Pl. 16 (Fig. 11) (type locality: Kotu Hola,
Himalayas). near Merkara, Karnataka, India).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 189
249. Schistura nagodiensis Sreekantha, Gururaja, posteriorly to vertical over pelvic fin origin; deeply
Remadevi, Indra & Ramachandra, 2006 emarginated caudal fin; ventral and dorsal adipose
crest on caudal peduncle.
2006. Schistura nagodiensis Sreekantha, Gururaja,
Remadevi, Indra & Ramachandra, Zoos’ Print Journal, Distribution: Meghalaya.
21(4): 2211, Figs. 1–2 (type locality : Sharavathi river,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
13°54′40″N, 74°53′49″E, Algod, Shimoga, Karnataka,
Western Ghats, India). IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
Common Name: None. 252. Schistura periyarensis (Madhusoodana Kurup
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having processus & Radhakrishnan, 2005)
dentiformes; 6–9 broad dark brown bars on body, the 2005. Nemacheilus periyarensis Madhusoodana
anterior bars not reaching ventral side; male without a Kurup & Radhakrishnan, Journal Bombay nat. Hist.
suborbital flap; posterior extremity of anterior nostril Society, 102(1): 75, Fig. 1 (type locality: Lake Periyar,
prolonged in a filament; incomplete lateral line extending Kerala, India).
to half length of pectoral fin with 8–10 pores; lower lip
with a black mark on each side of median interruption; Common Name: Periyar Reticulated Loach.
caudal fin emarginated or slightly forked. Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having an elongated
Distribution: Sharavathi River, near Shimoga, Karnataka. and slender body; 9 branched dorsal fin rays;
incomplete lateral line, ends above the anal fin; body
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams. with irregular network of bands and blotches; dorsal
IUCN Status: Endangered. and caudal fins with 4 or more rows of dark bands
and a black ocellus at the lower angle of the caudal
250. Schistura nilgiriensis (Menon 1987) peduncle, very near to the caudal origin.
1987. Noemacheilus nilgiriensis Menon, Fauna of India. Distribution: Periyar Lake, Kerala.
Pisces, 4(1): 106, Pls. 10 (Figs. 8–9), 11(Figs. 1–2) (type
locality: Small stream joining outlet stream from Pykara Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit fast-flowing
Dam, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu, India). streams with cobbles, pebbles and sand as substrate.
Common Name: None. IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branched 253. Schistura prashadi (Hora, 1921)
dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, terminating
1921. Nemacheilus prashadi Hora, Records of the Indian
opposite to middle of pectoral fin; slightly emarginated
Museum. 22(3): 203, Pl. 10 (figs. 2, 2a) (type locality:
caudal fin; scales minute, absent anteriorly in front
Thoubal and Sikmai stream, southern watershed of the
of dorsal fin and on ventral side; lower lip furrowed,
Naga Hills, India).
interrupted in the middle; dorsal fin inserted equidistant
between snout tip and base of caudal fin; bands on body Common Name: None.
of uniform width, forming rings round the body.
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having processus
Distribution: Pykara Dam, Nilgiri District, Tamil dentiformes; males with a suborbital flap; complete
Nadu. lateral line; 9½ branched dorsal fin rays; 9 + 8 branched
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams. caudal fin rays; black basal caudal bar complete; body
marked with 12–14 short black vertical bands across
IUCN Status: Least Concern. lateral line on flanks and characteristics reticulum
251. Schistura papulifera Kottelat, Harries & formed by numerous dark bands and blotches above;
Proudlove, 2007 two dotted bands on caudal fin.
2007. Schistura papulifera Kottelat, Harries & Distribution: Naga Hills, Manipur.
Proudlove, Zootaxa No. 1393: 36, Figs. 1–3 (type Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
locality: Cave of Synrang Pamiang system, Maintia
Hills, Krem Umsngat entrance, 25°11′14″N, IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
92°21′03″E, Meghalaya State, India). 254. Schistura reticulata Vishwanath &
Common Name: None. Nabeshwar, 2004
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branched 2004. Schistura reticulata Vishwanath & Nabeshwar,
dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, reaching Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 15(4): 324,
Mishra et al.: Pisces 191
incomplete lateral line; strong processus dentiformes. Diagnosis: A species of Travancoria having broadly
Distribution: Barak River, Manipur. pointed head covered with series of short, hard, spine
like growths; small mouth, inferior, lips well developed
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit swift flowing and free from jaws; paired fins broad, wing like and
hill stream with pebbles. horizontal; 75–77 lateral line scales; dorsal and lateral
IUCN Status: Endangered. scales in anterior region slightly keeled in middle; a
series of 8–10 broad, saddle-shaped spots along the
260. Schistura tirapensis Kottelat, 1990 dorsal surface; head and body mottled with black spots
1989. Schistura tirapensis Kottelat, Indochinese of different sizes and pattern.
nemacheilines: 118 (type locality: Riwa River at Distribution: Kerala.
Manpong [Nampong], Arunachal Pradesh, India).
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Diagnosis: A species of Schistura having 8 branch
dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, terminating at 263. Triplophysa shehensis Tilak, 1987
base of pelvic fins; forked caudal fin; dorsal fin origin
nearer caudal fin base than snout tip; 10–11 regular 1987. Triplophysa shehensis Tilak, in Menon, Fauna
bands on body. of India. Pisces, 4(1): 212, pl. 16, fig. 9 (type locality:
Ladakh, India).
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh.
Common Name: Tilak triplophysa-loach.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hillstreams
with pebble substrate. Diagnosis: A species of Triplophysa having 7 branched
dorsal fin rays; incomplete lateral line, terminating
IUCN Status: Least Concern. above tip of pectoral fin; body with 20–22 irregular
261. Travancoria elongata Pethiyagoda & brownish stripes on flanks; dorsal fin inserted midway
Kottelat, 1994 between snout tip and caudal fin base.
1994. Travancoria elongata Pethiyagoda & Kottelat, Distribution: Ladakh.
Journal of South Asian Natural History, 1(1): 104, Figs.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
9–12 (type locality: Chalakudy River, 26 kilometers
upstream of Chalakudy town, near Vettilappara, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Kerala, India).
Common Name: Periyar Loach. Family: AMBLYCIPITIDAE
Diagnosis: A species of Travancoria having slender 264. Amblyceps apangi Nath & Dey, 1989
and elongated body; pointed and dorsally flattened 1989. Amblyceps apangi Nath & Dey, Journal Assam
snout; 6 branched dorsal fin rays; 74-76 lateral line Scientific Society, 32(1): 2, Fig. 2 (type locality: Dikrong
scales; body greenish-brown with dark brown spots
River, Arunachal Pradesh, India).
on back, which coalesced giving an uneven mottled
appearance with age. Common Name: None.
Distribution: Chalakudy River, Kerala. Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having equal
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Occur in torrential jaws; rictal fold large, well developed; smooth skin;
streams where they are restricted to riffles, runs, no pinnate like rays on outer margin of principal ray
cascades and rapids. of caudal fin; adipose fin not confluent with caudal
fin but very closely placed appearing to be confluent;
IUCN Status: Endangered. truncate caudal fin.
262. Travancoria jonesi Hora, 1941 Distribution: Brahmaputra drainage, North-eastern
1941. Travancoria jonesi Hora, Records of the Indian India, also northern West Bengal.
Museum, 43(2): 230, Pl. 8 (Figs. 5–9) (type locality: Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit fast-flowing
Streams within a radius of 5 miles of Pampadampara, hill streams. Occasionally found in slower-flowing
Peerumedu Taluq, Kerala, India). streams.
Common Name: Travancore Loach.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 193
265. Amblyceps arunchalensis Nath & Dey 1990 Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
1990. Amblyceps arunchalensis Nath & Dey, Journal IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Assam Scientific Society, 32(1): 3, Fig. 3 (type locality:
268. Amblyceps torrentis Linthoingambi &
Dikrong River, Arunachal Pradesh, India).
Vishwanath, 2008
Common Name: None.
2008. Amblyceps torrentis Linthoingambi & Vishwanath,
Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having unequal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 19(2): 168,
jaws, lower longer than upper; rictal fold reduced; Figs. 1–2a, 3 (type locality: Laniye River, Chadwin
tuberculated skin; pinnate like rays on outer margin of drainage, Jessami village, Manipur-Nagaland state border,
principal ray of caudal fin; adipose fin widely separated 25°38′20″N, 94°32′29″E, Ukhrul District, Manipur, India).
from the caudal fin; caudal fin forked with its upper
lobe longer. Common Name: None.
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh. Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having smooth
dorsal spine; lips with a single fold, no pinnate-like rays
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit fast-flowing in caudal fin; supraoccipital spine short and not pointed;
streams and rivers with a sandy or rocky bottom. mesethmoid cornua forming V-shaped median cleft; jaws
IUCN Status: Endangered. equal in length; 26 + 21vertebrae.
266. Amblyceps cerinum Ng & Wright, 2010 Distribution:
Chindwin River drainage, Manipur,
Nagaland.
2010. Amblyceps cerinum Ng & Wright, Zootaxa
No. 2672: 51, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Raidak I River Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
at Shipra, just outside Buxa Tiger Reserve, ca. 8 IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
kilometers toward Barobisha on Siliguri-Guwahati
road, 26°31′12″N, 89°43′25″E, West Bengal, India). 269. Amblyceps tuberculatum Linthoingambi &
Vishwanath, 2009
Common Name: None.
2009. Amblyceps tuberculatum Linthoingambi &
Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having upper
Vishwanath, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters,
jaw longer than lower; posterior end of adipose fin
19(2): 170, Figs. 5–7 (type locality: Lokchao River,
separated from dorsal procurrent caudal fin rays by
Chindwin drainage, Moreh town at Indo-Myanmar
distinct notch; incomplete lateral line, terminating
beneath posterior insertion of dorsal fin; length of border, 24°24′17″N, 94°21′15″E, Chandel District,
adipose fin base 32.4–38.3% SL; caudal peduncle Manipur, India).
length 21.9–24.5% SL; 41–44 post-Weberian vertebrae; Common Name: None.
truncate caudal fin.
Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having lips with
Distribution: Brahmaputra River drainage, northern double folds; pinnate-like rays along anterior margin
West Bengal. of procurrent rays and upper and lowermost principal
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams. caudal fin rays; supraoccipital spine pointed and
mesethmoid cornua expand laterally; adipose fin not
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. contiguous with caudal fin; adipose fin base length
267. Amblyceps tenuispinis Blyth, 1860 23.4–27.2% SL; body depth at anus 13.6–16.8% SL;
pectoral fin length 12.2–12.8% SL; interdorsal distance
1860. Amblyceps tenuispinis Blyth, Journal of the Asiatic 27.8–28.0% SL; 20 vertebrae.
Society of Bengal, 29(2): 153 (type locality: Gola River in
Kathgodam Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India, 29°16′N, Distribution: Chindwin River basin, Manipur.
79°32′E). Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit hill streams.
Common Name: None. IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Diagnosis: A species of Amblyceps having a slender body,
body depth at anus 9.2–12.8% SL; eye diameter 7.5–9.7% Family: AKYSIDAE
HL; length of adipose fin base 17.0–24.1% SL; dorsal to
adipose distance 23.9–34.0% SL; a strongly forked caudal 270. Akysis manipurensis (Arunkumar, 2000)
fin; total vertebrae 37–38 (Ng & Wright, 2010). 2000. Laguvia manipurensis Arunkumar, Indian Journal
Distribution: Ganges drainage, Uttar Pradesh and of Fisheries, 47(3): 194, Fig. 1 (type locality: Lokchao
Uttaranchal. River, Chindwin drainage, Moreh town at Indo-Myanmar
194 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
272. Batasio fasciolatus Ng, 2006 2006. Batasio spilurus Ng, Journal of Fish Biology,
68(suppl. A): 110, Fig. 5 (type locality: Assam,
2005. Batasio fasciolatus Ng, Journal of Fish Biology, Dibrugarh District, about 27°29′N, 94°54′E, India).
68(suppl. A): 107, Fig. 4 (type locality: Market at Malbazar,
26°32′30″N, 88°44′17″E, West Bengal, India). Common Name: None.
Distribution: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam. equale; median longitudinal groove on head reaching
base of occipital process; occipital process reaching
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
basal bone of dorsal fin.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: Malabar coast.
282. Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1849. Bagrus malabaricus Jerdon, Madras Journal
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
of Literature and Science, 15(2): 338 (type locality:
Mountain streams of Malabar, India). 285. Mystus seengtee (Sykes, 1839)
Common Name: None. 1839. Pimelodus seengtee Sykes, Proceedings of the
Zoological Society of London, (6): 164 (type locality:
Diagnosis: A species of Mystus having maxillary
Deccan, India).
barbels extending to middle to end of pelvic fin; eye
diameter 3.5–5.3 in head length; adipose dorsal fin Common Name:
base greater than anal fin base; occipital crest smooth;
Diagnosis: A species of Mystus with with a long-based
occipital process not reaching basal bone of dorsal fin;
adipose fin; very long maxillary barbels reaching to
median longitudinal groove on head not reaching base
caudal-fin base; dorsal spine short and feebly serrate;
of occipital process; body with a shoulder spot and a
23–28 gill rakers on the first arch; predorsal profile
black streak along the lateral line.
steeply sloping, making an angle of 30–35° to the
Distribution: Malabar. horizontal; dorsoposterior margin of dorsal fin straight
or gently concave; body without distinct midlateral
Habit and Habitat: It inhabits in streams, rivers,
stripes; an ovoid dark humeral mark, and a faint dark
lakes, reservoirs and estuaries.
spot at the base of the dorsal spine (Chakrabarty & Ng,
IUCN Status: Near Threatened. 2005).
283. Mystus montanus (Jerdon, 1849) Distribution: Krishna and Cauvery river basins.
1849. Bagrus montanus Jerdon, Madras Journal of Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabit large streams,
Literature and Science, 15(2): 337 (type locality: River rivers and wetlands.
at Manantoddy in Wynaad, Kerala State, southern
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
India).
286. Rita chrysea Day, 1877
Common Name: Wynaad mystus.
1877. Rita chrysea Day, The fishes of India, 3: 455, Pl.
Diagnosis: A species of Mystus with occipital process
104 (Fig. 1) (type locality: Orissa, India).
reaching to the basal bone of dorsal fin; median
longitudinal groove on head not reaching base of Common Name: Mahanadi rita.
occipital process; adipose dorsal fin long, with little
Diagnosis: A species of Rita with dorsal surface of
inter-space from dorsal fin; body with a bluish shoulder
head covered with thin skin; vomerine teeth in a large
spot and a silvery line along the sides ending in a dark
quadrangular patch covering most of the palate, teeth
spot at base of caudal fin; one or two light bands along
large and molariform in middle of patch and smaller
sides of lateral line.
laterally; eyes 17.0–29.0% head length; dorsal spine
Distribution: Peninsular India; also from Assam. only feebly serrated posteriorly.
Habit and Habitat: It inhabits in streams, rivers, Distribution: Odisha.
lakes, reservoirs and estuaries.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. Inhabits in large
IUCN Status: Least Concern. rivers and reservoirs and is restricted to freshwater
ecosystem.
284. Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes, 1840)
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
1840. Bagrus oculatus Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss.,
14: 424 (type locality : Malabar coast, India). 287. Rita gogra (Sykes, 1839)
Common Name: Malabar Mystus. 1839. Phractocephalus gogra Sykes, Proceedings of the
Zoological Society of London, (6): 164 (type locality:
Diagnosis: A species of Mystus with a dark band along
Deccan, India).
lateral line, another at middle of dorsal fin; a dark spot
on shoulder; adipose dorsal fin with a considerable Common Name: Gogra Rita.
inter-space from rayed dorsal fin, base of both almost
Mishra et al.: Pisces 197
Diagnosis: A species of Rita with dorsal surface of distance of occipital process from dorsal fin base about
head covered with thick skin, often with mucous 3 times in head length.
secretion; an undivided large patch of teeth on vomer;
Distribution:
Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and
eye diameter 12.5–19.2% head length; dorsal fin spine Pondicherry.
smooth.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Deccan.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
291. Horaglanis alikunhii Subhash Babu &
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Nayar, 2004
288. Rita kuturnee (Sykes, 1839) 2004. Horaglanis alikunhii Subhash Babu & Nayar, J.
1839. Phractocephalus kuturnee Sykes, Proceedings of Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101(2): 296, fig. 1A–E (type
the Zoological Society of London, (6): 164 (type locality: locality: Water well at Parappukara, 10°13′N, 76°15′E,
Deccan, India). Trichur District, Kerala State, India, 8.5 meters depth
underground).
Common Name: Deccan rita.
Common Name: Alikunhii’s Blind Catfish.
Diagnosis: A species of Rita with dorsal surface of
head covered with thin skin; vomer with two pear Diagnosis: A species of Horaglanis having eel-like
shaped teeth patch, very narrowly separated in the body; elongated head; long dorsal fin with 24 rays
middle; eyes 21.3–37.0% head length; dorsal spine arising in advance of the origin of pelvic fins; anal
smooth anteriorly except for few serrations at base. fin with 17 rays originating far behind the origin of
pelvic; pectoral fins minute, highly vestigial, leaf-like,
Distribution: Peninsular India. with rounded margin, supported by short central axis
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. and 9 rays; pelvic fins long, conspicuous, supported
by 6 rays, 2nd distally branched; caudal fin large with
IUCN Status: Least Concern. pointed tip.
Distribution: Trichur district, Kerala.
Family: CLARIIDAE
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater in Subterranean
289. Clarias dayi Hora, 1936 channel.
1936. Clarias dayi Hora, Rec. Indian Mus., 38(3): 350, IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Figs. 3, 4c (type locality: Wayanad, southern India).
292. Horaglanis krishnai Menon, 1950
Common Name: None.
1950. Horaglanis krishnai Menon, Records of the Indian
Diagnosis: A species of Clarias with snout more or less Museum, 48(1): 64, Pl. 1 (Figs. 1–3) (type locality: Well
pointed; pectoral spine strongly serrated along outer at Kottayam, Travancore, Kerala state, southern India).
edge; nasal barbels shorter than half head length; dorsal
fin with 70 rays; distance of occipital process from dorsal Common Name: Cave Catfish, Indian blind catfish.
fin base about 2.1 times in head length. Diagnosis: A small sized blind catfish with narrow,
Distribution: Western Ghats of Kerala; Mudumalai, elongate, sub-cylindrical body; 21 dorsal fin rays; 17
Tamil Nadu. anal fin rays; pectoral fin vestigial; no eyes; no accessory
respiratory organ; 4 pairs of barbels; head covered with
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. skin, short and globular.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Distribution: Kottayam, Kerala.
290. Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes, 1840 Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. The species lives in
subterranean tunnels (Abraham, 2011).
1840. Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes, Histoire
naturelle des poisons, 15: 382 (type locality: Malabar; IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Mahé, India; Puducherry, India).
Common Name: Valencienne’s Clarid. Family: ERETHISTIDAE
Diagnosis: A species of Clarias with a broad snout, 293. Conta pectinata Ng, 2005
no pointed; pectoral spine serrated along outer edge 2005. Conta pectinata Ng, Ichthyological Exploration
with a few small teeth in the middle; nasal barbels of Freshwaters, 16(1): 24, Figs. 1, 2b (type locality:
more than half head length; dorsal fin with 66–69 rays; Dibrugarh, Assam, India).
198 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
2005. Erethistoides sicula Ng, Zootaxa No. 1021: 2, Fig. 2011. Pseudolaguvia austrina Radhakrishnan,
Sureshkumar & Ng, Ichthyological Exploration of
1, 2a, 4a (type locality: Schutunga River, tributary of
Mishra et al.: Pisces 199
Freshwaters, 21(4) [2010]: 378, figs. 1, 2a, 3a (type head and body, head width 17.1–19.1% SL; anterior
locality: Kunthi River, tributary of Bharathapuzha fontanel about one third the length of the frontals;
River, at Mannarkkad, 11°21′N, 76°53′E, Kerala, adipose-fin base 11.5–13.0% SL; the unculiferous
India). ridges on the thoracic adhesive apparatus joined at their
Common Name: None. posterior ends; thoracic adhesive apparatus extending
to midway between bases of last pectoral-fin ray and
Diagnosis: A species of Pseudolaguvia with first pelvic-fin ray; body depth 12.1–13.8% SL; eye 8.6–
rhomboidal thoracic adhesive apparatus almost 11.7% HL; pelvic fin not reaching base of the first anal-
covering the entire thoracic area; snout strongly fin ray; dorsal and pectoral spines 17.3–18.7% SL and
projecting with the premaxillary teeth partially 20.2–24.3% SL respectively; vertebrae 28–30; and very
exposed when the mouth is closed; caudal peduncle faint, poorly contrasting cream bands on body.
8.8–14.7 % SL; body depth 10.3–14.7 % SL; body pale
brown. Distribution: Tista River, Brahmaputra River
drainage, West Bengal.
Distribution:
Kunthi River, tributary of
Bharathapuzha River, Peninsular India. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits
swift flowing river with mixed rocky/sandy bottom.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic; found
in riffle-pool type habitat and clayey area with clumps IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
of leaf litter. 302. Pseudolaguvia flavida Ng, 2009
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 2008. Pseudolaguvia flavida Ng, Ichthyological
300. Pseudolaguvia ferruginea Ng, 2009 Exploration of Freshwaters, 20(3): 282, Figs. 5–6
(type locality: Hooghly [Bhagirathi] River at Kalna,
2009. Pseudolaguvia ferruginea Ng, Ichthyological 23°13′30″N, 88°22′39″E, West Bengal, India).
Exploration of Freshwaters, 20(3): 278, figs. 1–2 (type
locality: Raidak I River at Shipra, just outside Buxa Common Name: None.
Tiger Reserve, approximately 8 kilometers towards Diagnosis: A species of Pseudolaguvia having a
Barobisha on Siliguri-Guwahati road (Highway 31), serrated anterior edge to the dorsal spine; body depth
26°31′12″N, 89°43′25″E, West Bengal, India). at anus 11.0 % SL; adipose-fin base 11.0 % SL; snout
Common Name: None. length 43 %HL; a slender caudal peduncle, 6.5 % SL;
dorsal to adipose distance 16.3 % SL; dorsal-fin base
Diagnosis: A species of Pseudolaguvia having a 16.7 % SL; pectoral fin 22.4 %SL; width of head 22.0%
more slender and elongate body, body depth at SL.
anus 10.5–12.4 % SL; dorsal-fin base 14.9–17.3 %
SL; head 20.1–22.2 % SL; pectoral spines 16.3–18.8 Distribution: Hooghly [Bhagirathi] River at Kalna,
% SL; dorsal to adipose distance 14.2–17.3 % SL; West Bengal.
anterior edge of the dorsal spine smooth; thoracic Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits
adhesive apparatus reaching to midway between fast-flowing rivers with a substrate of sand/mud.
bases of last pectoral-fin ray and first pelvic-fin ray;
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
caudal peduncle depth 2.4–2.8 times in its length.
Distribution: Raidak I River at Shipra, Brahhmaputra 303. Pseudolaguvia foveolata Ng, 2005
River drainage, West Bengal. 2005. Pseudolaguvia foveolata Ng, Ichthyological
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits Exploration of Freshwaters, 16(2): 174, Figs. 1–2, 4A
streams with a moderate current and a substrate (type locality: Tista River at Tista barrage, 26°45′10″N,
composed of sand and gravel. 88°34′11″E, West Bengal, India).
301. Pseudolaguvia ferula Ng, 2006 Diagnosis: A species of Pseudolaguvia having a shorter
thoracic adhesive apparatus, reaching to middle of
2007. Pseudolaguvia ferula Ng, Zootaxa, No. 1229: pectoral-fin base; body depth at anus 11.0% SL; depth
60, Fig. 1, 2a, 3a, 5a (type locality: Tista River at Tista of caudal peduncle 4.1 times in its length; adipose-fin
Barrage, 26°45′10″N, 88°34′11″E, West Bengal, India). base 24.0% SL; anterior edge of the dorsal spine smooth;
Common Name: None. maxillary barbels not reaching base of pectoral spine;
adipose fin not reaching the base of the last dorsal-fin ray.
Diagnosis: A species of Pseudolaguvia having a terete
200 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Diagnosis: A species of Eutropiichthys having nasal 311. Pseudeutropius mitchelli Günther, 1864
barbels longer than head length extending to dorsal 1864. Pseudeutropius mitchelli Günther, Catalogue of
fin base; vomero-palatine teeth interrupted in middle; the fishes in the British Museum, 5: 59 (type locality:
cleft of mouth extends to below anterior-third of orbit. Madras Presidency, India).
Distribution: Peninsular India. Common Name: Malabar Patashi.
Habit and Habitat: Found in rivers, canals and Diagnosis: A species of Pseudeutropius with head
reservoirs. 4.7–5.1 in SL; eye diameter 3.0–3.5 in head; mouth
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. terminal, upper jaw slightly longer than lower jaw;
teeth villiform, in bands on jaws; vomero-palatine in
Remarks: Generic status of this fish has often been two distinct, small, oval patches; 4 pairs of barbels;
debated (Dahanukar, 2011). maxillary barbels extend to middle of pelvic fins;
dorsal fin inserted anterior to pelvic fins.
309. Neotropius khavalchor Kulkarni, 1952
Distribution: Kerala.
1952. Neotropius khavalchor Kulkarni, Rec. Indian
Mus., 49(3–4): 232, Fig. 1 (type locality: Panchaganga Habit and Habitat: Known from the middle reaches
River, near Kolhapur, Mumbai State, India). of the rivers with detritus, mud, sand, cobbles and
boulders as major substrates (Chhapgar & Mankadan
Common Name: Khavalchor catfish. 2000).
Diagnosis: A species of Neotropius with a large IUCN Status: Endangered.
premaxillary, that protruding with a hook-like dorsal
312. Silonia childreni (Sykes, 1839)
proboscis with heterogenous teeth; dorsal fin with 6–7
and anal fin with 22–23 branched rays; teeth in palate 1839. Ageneiosus childreni Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc.
in three separate patches; 4 pairs of barbels; upper jaw London, 1838 (6): 165 (type locality: Deccan, India).
much longer and overhanging. Common Name: None.
Distribution: Krishna river system, Maharashtra and Diagnosis: A species of Silonia having caniniform
Karnataka; middle Pennar River, Andhra Pradesh. teeth on jaws; only two pair of barbels, often vestigial;
maxillary barbels extend to operculum, mandibular
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabit
barbels equale to eye diameter; dorsal fin with 7 and
slow moving turbid streams.
anal fin with 44–50 branched rays; air bladder large.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. Distribution: Southern India - Andhra Pradesh,
310. Proeutropiichthys taakree (Sykes, 1839) Maharashtra.
1839. Hypophthalmus taakree Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; Occur in
London, 1838 (6): 163 (type locality: Deccan, India). large rivers and reservoirs.
Distribution: Thrissur District, Kerala, Subterranean. Remarks: This has been treated as synonym of Ompok
malabaricus (Valenciennes).
Habit and Habitat: Found in 5.5–m-deep well,
subterranean, on the slope of a hilly terrain and receives 316. Ompok malabaricus (Valenciennes, 1840)
water from groundwater springs. 1840. Silurus malabaricus Valenciennes, in Cuvier &
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 14: 353 (type locality :
Malabar, India).
Remarks: The family of this species is yet to be assigned
and currently placed as inserte sedies in Siluriformes Common Name: Malabar catfih.
(Vincent & Thomas, 2011; Eschmeyer, 2012). If not Diagnosis: A species of Ompok with 61–69 rays in
evidenced to raise a separate family, condidering confluent anal fin; caudal fin forked, lobes rounded; maxillary
nature of anal and caudal fin this may be tentatively placed barbel long, reaching between pelvic and anal fin
in the family Siluridae as in Froece & Pauly (2012). origin; a black spot behind gill opening.
314. Ompok canio (Hamilton, 1822) Distribution: Goa to Kerala.
1822. Silurus canio Hamilton, An account of the fishes Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic;
found in the river Ganges: 151, 374 (type locality: West inhabits rivers in plains and submontane regions;
Bengal, India). common in rivers and wetlands.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Common Name: None.
317. Pinniwallago kanpurensis Gupta, Jayaram
Diagnosis: A species of Ompok with about 69 anal fin & Hajela, 1981
rays; caudal fin forked with pointed lobes; maxillary
barbels reaching beyond anal fin origin; pelvic fin 1981. Pinniwallago kanpurensis Gupta, Jayaram &
with 8 rays; pectoral fin spine smooth edged; sides Hajela, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 77(2): 290, Fig. 1 (type
unspotted. locality: ‘Bara Tal’ near village of Bhitargaon, Tehsil,
Ghatampur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India).
Distribution:
Northeastern Bengal (possibly
widespread). Common Name: Pinna catfish.
Diagnosis: A Siluroid fish with two dorsal fins; head
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal.
large, depressed; mouth large, cleft of mouth extending
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. to well beyond eyes; barbels two pairs; caudal fin
forked.
Renaks: This species has long been treated as synonym
of Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) which has pectoral fin Distribution: Uttar Pradesh.
spine indented along inner margin. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; occurs in
315. Ompok goae (Haig, 1952) ponds.
1952. Silurus goae Haig, Rec. Indian Museum, 48(3– IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
4): 77, Fig. on p. 78 (type locality: Goa, India). 318. Pterocryptis barakensis Vishwanath &
Nebeshwar Sharma, 2006
Common Name: Goan catfish.
2006. Pterocryptis barakensis Vishwanath &
Diagnosis: A species of Ompok with elongate body; Nebeshwar Sharma, in Jayaram, Catfishes of India: 99,
teeth in jaws, short depressible, in about five or six Pl. 5 (fig. 2) (type locality: Barak River at Vanchengphai
irregular rows, the inner ones slightly longer and village, Tamenglong District, Manipur, India).
wider-set; dorsal fin short, first two rays longest,
origin opposite to that of ventrals; pectorals short, Common Name: None.
bearly reaching origin of anal; maxillary barbels Diagnosis: A species of Pterocryptis having 9
rather heavy, flattened, reaching to slightly beyond branchiostegal rays; 65–76 rays in anal fin; body depth
origin of ventrals; one pair of mandibular barbels, 6.1–7.4 in standard length; barbels two pairs (maxillary
slender, short, about half (0.50) the length of head; and mandibular pairs); vomerine teeth band as a single
a blackish spot behind the gill opening; lateral line crescentic band; caudal fin truncate; body smooth.
and base of anal rays marked with black. Distribution: Barak River, Manipur.
Distribution: Goa. Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal. fast-flowing streams with a sandy and rocky bottom.
319. Pterocryptis indicus (Datta, Barman & ii, 4.5–5; long adipose fin, uniformly deep all along its
Jayaram, 1987) length and reaches to caudal fin base; adipose about
thrice the dorsal fin base length; emarginate caudal fin;
1987. Kryptopterus indicus Datta, Barman & Jayaram,
proximally 1/3 length of outer rays and 1/2 length of
Bull. zool. Surv. India, 8(1–3): 29, Fig. 1 (type locality:
median rays dark greyish; distally 1/3 length of lower
Hornbill Point, Namdapha River, Namdapha Wildlife
lobe and 1/3 length of upper lobe rays also dark greyish.
Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India).
Distribution: Manipur.
Common Name: None.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic;
Diagnosis: A species of Pterocryptis having 88 rays in
possibly inhabit torrential streams with a substrate
anal fin; dorsal fin rudimentary and hair-like with 1–2
rays; body depth 5.4 times in standard length; barbels consisting of medium to large rocks.
two pairs, maxillary barbels reaching beyond pectoral IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
fin tip and mandibular pairs half of head length; caudal
fin rounded; body smooth. 322. Gagata itchkeea (Sykes, 1839)
Distribution: Namdapha River in Arunachal Pradesh. 1839. Phractocephalus itchkeea Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc.
London, 1838(6): 164 (type locality: Deccan, India).
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic;
possibly inhabit hill streams with rocky and sandy Common Name: None.
bottom. Diagnosis: A species of Gagata with a deep body,
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. approximately equal to head length; eye very large, greater
than snout length; snout blunt; mesethmoid greatly
320. Pterocryptis wynaadensis (Day, 1873) enlarged, more strongly projecting ventrally; tympanum
1873. Silurus wynaadensis Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. large, its width equal to eye diameter; swim bladder
London, 1873 (1): 237 (type locality: Wynaad, India, chamber with a greatly expanded dorsal bony roof but no
elevation 3000 feet). ventral bony enclosure; jaws with well-developed conical
teeth in several irregular rows; cranial roofing bones more
Common Name: None. superficial, and covered with thin skin; cranial surface
Diagnosis: A species of Pterocryptis having 58–62 rugose; anal fin with 4–5 simple rays, 8–10 branched rays.
rays in anal fin; body depth 7.1–8.6 in standard length; Distribution: Peninsular India: Deccan- Maharashtra.
three pairs of barbels; one maxillary pair, reaching
pectoral fin tip; two pairs of mandibular barbels, one Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic; inhabits
pair reaching pectoral fin base; vomerine teeth band in rapid flowing streams of the higher reaches of the river;
two separate patches; caudal fin rounded. prefers rocky and gravelly beds and the young are often
found under stones and pebbles (Menon, 2004).
Distribution:
Cauvery drainage in Kerala &
Thungabhadra drainage in Karnataka. IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits 323. Glyptothorax alaknandi Tilak, 1969
fast flowing rivers, canal and streams; hides in holes
and rocks. 1969. Glyptothorax brevipinnis alaknandi Tilak, Journal of
the Inland Fishery Society of India, 1: 42, Figs. 8–11 (type
IUCN Status: Endangered. locality: Alaknanda River, near Srinagar, District Pauri
Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, India).
Family: SISORIDAE Common Name: None.
321. Exostoma barakensis Vishwanath &
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having maxillary
Joyshree 2007
barbels shorter than head length; rayed dorsal fin inserted
2007. Exostoma barakensis Vishwanath & Joyshree, equidistant from snout tip and adipose fin origin; occipital
Zoos’ Print Journal, 22(1): 2531, Images 1–3 on www process reaching basal bone of dorsal fin; thoracic adhesive
supplement (type locality: Iyei River, Barak River apparatus not well developed, broader than long, without
drainage, Tamenglong district, Manipur, India). a pit.
Common Name: None. Distribution: Alaknanda River, Uttaranchal.
Diagnosis: A species of Exostoma having nostrils Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits
midway between snout tip and anterior margin of eye; relatively swift flowing rivers with a sandy/rocky substrate.
interorbital space is wide, its width 26.5–33.1% HL; A
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
204 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
324. Glyptothorax ater Anganthoibi & ventral side; pectoral spine shorter than head; smooth
Vishwanath 2011 skin.
2011. Glyptothorax ater Anganthoibi & Vishwanath, Distribution: Ganges drainage (it has never been
Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat., 21(4): 324, Figs. 1, 4a (type recorded since original discovery).
locality: Koladyne River at Kolchaw, 22°23′N, 92°57′E,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Lawntlai District, Mizoram, India).
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Common Name: None.
327. Glyptothorax botius (Hamilton 1822)
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having dark
brown body with two horizontal light creamish stripes, 1822. Pimelodus botius Hamilton, An account of the
one each along mid-dorsal line and lateral lines; two fishes found in the river Ganges: 192, 378 (type locality:
pale creamish ovoid spots on either side of the dorsal Hoogly River at Kalna, 23°13′30.0″N, 88°22′39.0″E,
fin origin connected by thin creamish olique stripes West Bengal, India).
forming spectacle like mark; rhomboidal thoracic
Common Name: None.
adhesive apparatus with a conspicuous central
depression; ventral surfaces of the pectoral spine and Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having dark
two to four outer rays of the pelvic fin plaited. saddles on body; rounded snout; thoracic adhesive
apparatus with broader folds of skin; skin tuberculated;
Distribution: Koladyne River basin, Mizoram, India.
length of dorsal-fin base 10.9–13.0% SL; depth of
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. caudal peduncle 3.1–4.2% SL.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Distribution: Ganges River system (Hughly), West
Bengal.
325. Glyptothorax anamalaiensis Silas, 1952
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1952. Glyptothorax anamalaiensis Silas, J. Bombay
nat. Hist. Soc., 50(pt 2): 370 (type locality: Stream in IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Anamalai Hills, Western Ghats, India). 328. Glyptothorax caudimaculatus Anganthoibi &
Common Name: Anamalai Sucker Catfish. Vishwanath 2011
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having adhesive 2011. Glyptothorax caudimaculatus Anganthoibi &
thoracic apparatus poorly developed, as long as broad, Vishwanath, Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat., 21(4): 326,
devoid of a central pit; occipital process apposed to Figs. 3, 5a (type locality: Koladyne River at Kolchaw,
basal bone of dorsal fin; dorsal fin inserted nearer to 22°23′N, 92°57′E, Lawntlai Distict, Mizoram, India).
origin of adipose fin than to snout tip, its spine strong
Common Name: None.
and smooth; paired fins non-plaited; least depth of
caudal peduncle 2.5–3.0 times on its length; body Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having
with three white transverse bands, one below dorsal rhomboidal shaped thoracic adhesive apparatus with
fin, a second beneath adipose fin and a third at base its unculiferous ridges extending anteriorly onto the
of caudal fin. gular region; sparsely granulated skin; papillated lips;
long nasal barbel, its length being 35.2–43.3% head
Distribution: Annamalai Hills, Kerala.
length; acutely pointed snout; ventral surface of paired
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. fin rays non-plaited; posteriorly serrated pectoral fin
spine.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Koladyne River basin, Mizoram.
326. Glyptothorax brevipinnis Hora, 1923
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1923. Glyptothorax brevipinnis Hora, Rec. Indian
Mus., 25(1): 16, Pl. 1, Fig. 4 (type locality: India). IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Common Name: None. 329. Glyptothorax chimtuipuiensis Anganthoibi &
Vishwanath, 2010
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having a
adhesive thoracic apparatus moderately developed, 2010. Glyptothorax chimtuipuiensis Anganthoibi &
broader than long, devoid of a central pit; dorsal fin Vishwanath, Zootaxa, No. 2628: 57, Figs. 1a–c (type
inserted much nearer to snout tip than to adipose fin; locality: Koladyne River at Kolchaw, Lawntlai District,
dorsal spine weak and smooth; paired fins plaited on 22°23′N, 92°57′E, Mizoram, India).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 205
Common Name: None. shaped spots in each row; the ventral lobe of the caudal
fin longer than the dorsal lobe, with diffused black
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having short and
submarginal bands on each lobe.
stout body, its depth at anus 14.7–19.5% SL; granulated
skin; the dorsal profile is greatly arched anterior to the Distribution: Kaladan basin of Mizoram, India.
adipose fin; the dorsal spine short and smooth, its
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
length 5.1–8.9% SL; the ventral surface of first simple
ray of pectoral fin plaited; thoracic adhesive apparatus IUCN Status:
is chevron shaped, wider than long, the median ridges
332. Glyptothorax coheni Ganguly, Datta
of the apparatus perpendicular to its base, slightly
& Sen, 1972
diverging laterally, its base concave, with a shallow
depression at its posteriorly end; dorsal, pectoral, 1972. Glyptothorax coheni Ganguly, Datta & Sen,
pelvic and anal fins with brown base and hyaline distal Copeia, (2): 342, Figs. 3–4 (type locality: Subarnarekha
margin. River, Chotanagpur Plateau, Bihar, India).
Distribution: Chimtuipui River, tributary to Common Name: None.
Koladyne River, Mizoram. Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having rayed
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. dorsal fin inserted nearer to snout tip than to adipose
fin origin; height of rayed dorsal fin greater than body
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
depth; origin of adipose fin opposite to anal insertion;
330. Glyptothorax chindwinica Vishwanath & occipital process not reaching basal bone of dorsal
Linthoingambi, 2007 fin; thoracic adhesive apparatus longer than broad,
without a central pit; body without bands.
2007. Glyptothorax chindwinica Vishwanath &
Linthoingambi, Zoos’ Print Journal, 22(3): 2622 (type Distribution: Subarnarekha River, Bihar.
locality: Iril River, Urup, Manipur State, India). Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic.
Common Name: None. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having low head, Remaks: Confusion prevails on the taxonomic status
its depth at nape 55.8–56.7% head length; smooth skin of this species as some authors consider this species
with black patches; thoracic adhesive apparatus heart as synonym of Glyptothorax saisii (Jenkins) (Menon,
shapd with shallow pit, its length 39.2–41.6% head 1999; Thompson & Page, 2006; Eschmeyer, 2012)
length; lateral extent of upper jaw tooth band 32.3– while others treat it as valid (Talwar & Jhingran, 1991;
33.2% head width, lower jaw tooth band 47.8–49.0% Jayaram 2006; Ferraris 2007).
head width.
333. Glyptothorax dakpathari Tilak & Husain, 1976
Distribution: Manipur (Chindwin basin).
1976. Glyptothorax dakpathari Tilak & Husain, Annls.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Zool., 33(14): 229, Figs. 1–6 (type locality: Yamuna
IUCN Status: Least Concern. River, below Barrage, Dakpathar, District Dehra Dun,
Uttar Pradesh, India).
331. Glyptothorax churamanii Rameshori &
Vishwanath, 2012 Common Name: None.
2012. Glyptothorax churamanii Rameshori and Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having 9
Vishwanath, Zootaxa, 3538: 80 (Kaladan basin, branched rays in dorsal fin; dorsal spine serrated in
Mizoram). its posterior edge; occipital process not reaching basal
bone of dorsal fin; thoracic adhesive apparatus longer
Common Name: None.
than broad, with a distinct central pit; skin granulated.
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax with an oblong
Distribution: District Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal.
thoracic adhesive apparatus opening caudally with an
inverted V-shaped median depression on its posterior Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
half; gill rakers 3+10 on first arch; sparsely tuberculate IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
skin; ventral surfaces of pectoral spine and first (and
sometimes second) rays of pelvic fins pleated, plicae Remarks: Although authors consider this species as
on pectoral spine arranged in rows, continuous distally a synonym of G. gracilis, it is retained here as valid
and dissociated in a seriesof three to five hexagonal- following Jayaram (2006) and Ferraris (2007).
206 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Distribution: Kaladan River at Kolchaw in Mizoram. Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having thoracic
adhesive apparatus with a narrow elliptic central
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
depression that is almost enclosed posteriorly by skin
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. ridges and with single, non-diverging series of striae
running along its edges; width of adhesive apparatus
339. Glyptothorax kudremukhensis Gopi, 2007
55.8–72.1% its length; unculiferous ridges of adhesive
2007. Glyptothorax kudremukhensis Gopi, Fauna of apparatus not extending anteriorly onto gular region;
Kudremukh National Park: 122, Figs. 1–5 (type locality: absence of striae on first pectoral and pelvic fin
Stream in headwaters of the Thunga River, Muduba, elements; nasal barbel not reaching anterior orbital
13°19.420′N, 75°08.635′E, Kudremukh National Park, margin; head length 23.7–25.3% SL; pectoral-fin
Karnataka, Karnataka, Western Ghats, India). length 20.7–24.9% SL; dorsal-spine length 13.0–17.1%
Common Name: Kudremukh Glyptothorax. SL; smooth posterior edge of dorsal spine; dorsal-to-
adipose distance 17.8–23.6% SL; body depth at anus
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having 11.3–13.8% SL; caudal peduncle length 21.4–23.9% SL;
prominent tubercles speckled on body; a poorly and caudal peduncle depth 6.4–7.6% SL.
developed, broader than long, inverted ‘V’shaped
adhesive apparatus on thorax; 4 pairs of barbels, Distribution:
Meghna-Surma River system in
maxillaries reaching middle of pectoral base, nasal Mizoram.
extending posteriorly to hind margin of eye; caudal Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthic; inhabits
peduncle least height 2.0 times in its length; caudal fin torrential waters of rivers and streams.
brown with white blotches.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Western Ghats, Karnataka.
342. Glyptothorax madraspatanus (Day 1873)
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
1873. Glyptosternum madraspatanus Day, Journal of
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered. the Linnean Society of London. Zoology, 11: 526 (type
340. Glyptothorax lonah (Sykes, 1839) locality: Bhavani River, Nilgiris, Madras State, India)
1839. Bagrus lonah Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, Common Name: None.
1838(6): 164 (type locality: Deccan, India). Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having occipital
Common Name: Mountain Catfish. process apposed to basal bone of dorsal fin; barbels
2 pairs, maxillary barbels extend posteriorly to base
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having occipital of pectoral fins; adhesive thoracic apparatus well
process about 2 times as broad as long, distinctly developed, longer than broad, devoid of a central pit;
separated from basal bone of dorsal fin; lips papillated; dorsal spine strong and serrated near apex on both
two pairs of barbels, maxillary barbels extend edges; paired fins non-plaited; skin smooth.
posteriorly to anterior-third of pectoral fins; adhesive
thoracic apparatus well developed, longer than broad, Distribution: Anamalai & Nilgiri Hills, and Cauvery
devoid of a central pit; dorsal spine weak and smooth; river in Peninsular India.
skin minutely granulated on head and body; a light Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
streak along lateral line; dorsal, anal and caudal fins
IUCN Status: Endangered.
with black bands.
343. Glyptothorax malabarensis Gopi, 2010
Distribution: Peninsular India.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. 2010. Glyptothorax malabarensis Gopi, Zootaxa
No. 2528: 54, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Pottichapara,
IUCN Status: Least Concern. 11°58′12.4″N, 75°49′38.7″E, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary,
341. Glyptothorax maceriatus Ng & Urutty Stream, Valapattanam River drainage, Kannur
Lalramliana, 2012 District, western Ghats, Kerala, India).
as broad, without a median depression; skin of head Remarks: Taxonomic status of this species is much
and body minutely granulated; a black background with debated. Talwar & Jhingran (1991) questionably placed
three flesh-red or orange transverse bands on body, in it under synonymy of G. platygonoides (Bleeker) along
preservative changing to dark grey with black mottling with G. dorsalis Vinciguerra. Jayaram (2006) treated it
and three yellowish-white transverse bands. as G. platygonoides. Menon (1999) and Thompson &
Distribution: Valappattanam River drainage of Kerala. Page (2006) considered it as a synonym of G. dorsalis,
and so in Froece & Pauly (2012). However, some
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater. authors accepted it valid as Glyptothorax minutus Hora
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. (Ferraris & Britz, 2005; Vishwanath & Linthoingambi,
2006; Ferraris, 2007; Rameshori & Vishwanath, 2012).
344. Glyptothorax manipurensis Menon, 1955 Eschmeyer (2012) treated it as a valid species, but still
1955. Glyptothorax manipurensis Menon, Rec. Indian raised doubt.
Mus., 52(1): 23 (type locality: Barak River at Karong,
346. Glyptothorax ngapang Vishwanath &
Naga Hills, Manipur State, Assam, India).
Linthoingambi, 2007
Common Name: None.
2008. Glyptothorax ngapang Vishwanath &
Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having pointed Linthoingambi, Zoos’ Print Journal, 22(3): 2619 (type
and large head, its depth at occiput 66.0–72.3% its locality: Iril River, Bamonkampu, Manipur, India).
length, maximum width 79.0–84.3% HL; interorbital
space 28.0–33.1% HL; occipital process length three Common Name: None.
times its width; adhesive apparatus with a caudally open Diagnosis: A species of Glyptothorax having
central depression, the apparatus width 73.7–78.9% its tuberculated skin; caudal peduncle very slender, its
length; dorsal spine serrated with five antrose serrae; height 28.0–34.8% its length; head depth at occiput
pectoral spine with 9–11 serrae; pelvic fin extending 61.3–65.6% head length; adhesive appararus length
up to anus; caudal fin lobes equal; caudal peduncle 61.5–68.9% head length; width 58.4–63.0% its length.
height 45.4–48.0% its length; a white longitudinal line
overlapping lateral line; black spot at dorsal, adipose Distribution: Manipur (Chindwin basin).
and caudal fin bases present; smooth skin.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
Distribution: Meghna, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy
River drainages, Manipur. IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Distribution: Rivers of Bengal and Bihar. Distribution: West coast of India- Gulf of Kutch,
Gujarat to Trivandrum, Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; inhabits swift
rivers with a substrate of sand and/or gravel. Habit and Habitat: Inhabits quiet rocks and corners
of creeks, backwaters and pools along coastal regions.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
It can withstand a wide range of salinity and live
364. Sisor rheophilus Ng, 2003 temporarily in freshwater. It is a larvicidal fish and eats
mosquito larvae at the early instar stages.
2003. Sisor rheophilus Ng, Journal of Natural History,
37(23): 2877, 2c, 4c, 6 (type locality: Kali Nadi River, IUCN Status: Least Concern.
near Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradish State, India).
Common Name: None. Family: APLOCHEILIDAE
Diagnosis: A species of Sisor having width of nuchal 367. Aplocheilus kirchmayeri Berkenkamp
plate equal to its length; eye 13.2–16.3% HL; snout & Etzel, 1986
56.2–60.3% HL; head length 14.5–14.8% SL. 1986. Aplocheilus kirchmayeri Berkenkamp & Etzel,
Distribution: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh. Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft Journal, 18(3):35
(type locality: Goa, between Margao (Madgaon) and
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; found at Colva-Strand, southwestern India).
the bottom of fast-flowing rivers with a sandy substrate.
Common Name: Goa panchax; Nano panchax of
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. Goa.
365. Sisor torosus Ng, 2003 Diagnosis: A dwarf species of Aplocheilus with about
2003. Sisor torosus Ng, Journal of Natural History, 28 scales on longitudinal series; anal fin with 14 rays;
37(23): 2878, 2d, 4d, 7 (type locality: Ganges River at eye diameter about half of interorbital space; a pearly
Patna, Bihar State, India). white spot on occiput; a black spot at base of dorsal fin;
brassy-yellow lines along scale rows and fins.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Goa.
Diagnosis: A species of Sisor having body depth at
anus 6.0–7.8% SL, anterior edge of pectoral spine with Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow pools near
29–34 serrations while posterior edge with 12–18 flowing waters and also thrive in stagnant ponds;
serrations; width of nuchal plate 1.2–1.3 times its freshwater; benthopelagic.
length. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Middle Ganges River basin in Bihar
and Delhi. Family: SYNBRANCHIDAE
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal. 368. Monopterus digressus Gopi, 2002
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 2002. Monopterus digressus Gopi, Rec. zool. Surv.
India, 100(1–2): 137, figs. 1–6; pl. 1 (type locality:
Family: ADRIANICHTHYIDAE Homestead well at Kuthiravattom, a suburban locality
of Calicut, Kerala, India, elevation 40 meters).
366. Horaichthys setnai Kulkarni, 1940
Common Name: None.
1940. Horaichthys setnai Kulkarni, Rec. Indian.
Mus., 42(2): 385, figs. 2–4 (type locality: Creeks near Diagnosis: A species of Monopterus having slim, naked
Mumbai, India). and subcylindrically elongate body; muscular occiput;
upper jaw with jowl like lip, slightly overhanging the
Common Name: Thready top-minnow; Malabar lower jaw; paired suprapharyngeal pouches present;
rice-fish. lateralis system distinct with prominent cephalic
Diagnosis: A small fish with 6–7 dorsal rays and pores; tail extremity compressed and tapering with
28–32 anal rays; dorsal fin inserted far posterior on rudimentary dorsal and anal fin folds confluencing at
body, near caudal fin; mouth directed upwards; in the caudal tip; 6 branchiostegal rays.
male, the first six rays of anal fin separated off into Distribution: Kerala.
an independent gonopodium; 32 to 34 scales in
longitudinal series; nearly transparent; head with a Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal.
prominent dark occipital spot behind eyes; minute IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
black spots scattered all over.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 213
369. Monopterus eapeni Talwar, 1991 original description, and there are taxonomic issues that
need to be resolved.
1991. Monopterus (Monopterus) eapeni Talwar, in
Talwar & Jhingran, Inland fishes of India and adjacent IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
countries, 2: 779 (type locality: Well at Kottayam,
372. Monopterus ichthyophoides Britz, Lalremsanga,
9°30′N, 76°33′E, Kerala, southern India).
Lalrotluanga & Lalramliana, 2011
Common Name: None.
2011. Monopterus ichthyophoides Britz, Lalremsanga,
Diagnosis: A species of Monopterus having slender, Lalrotluanga & Lalramliana, Zootaxa, No. 2936: 52,
whip-like and scaleless body; head length 20–21 times Figs. 1–4 (type locality: Sawleng River, a tributary of
in total length; gill opening crescentic, without lateral Tuirial River in the vicinity of Sawleng, 23°58′52″N,
folds; vertebrae 135 + 24; reddish brown in colour. 92°55′14″E, Barak River drainage, Mizoram, India).
Distribution: Kottayam in Kerala Common Name: None.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal. Diagnosis: A Monopterus species differs from all
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. congeners in having scales present on body, restricted
to the posterior part only but extending anteriorly far
370. Monopterus fossorius (Nayar, 1951) beyond the vent; only 2 branchiostegal rays; vertebrae
1951. Amphipnous fossorius Nayar, Proceedings of the 79 – 82 + 34 – 37 = 114 – 117.
Indian Academy of Sciences, 33(B): 311, Fig. 1 (type Distribution: Barak River drainage, Mizoram, India.
locality: Marshy area adjoining Karamanai River near
Trivandrum, Travancore, India). Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; builds
burrows.
Common Name: Malabar swampeel.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Monopterus having eel-like,
robust body covered with scales; two separate air-sacs 373. Monopterus indicus (Silas & Dawson, 1961)
connected to gill cavity; skin of branchial region under
1961. Amphipnous indicus Silas & Dawson, J. Bombay
head drawn into deep longitudinal folds; teeth on palate
Nat. Hist. Soc., 58(2): 367 (type locality: Robbers Cave,
and laterally on jaws biserial; vertebrae 73 – 76 + 45 – 56.
Satara District, Maharashtra State, India).
Distribution: Kerala.
Common Name: Bombay swampeel.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits marshy areas, paddy fields,
Diagnosis: A Monopterus species with scales on
ditches and ponds; freshwater; demersal; burrows in the
bottom of ditches and pools. body restricted to posterior part ending posterior to
vent, but with a small separate scale patch anterior to
IUCN Status: Endangered. vent; skin of branchial region under head drawn into
371. Monopterus hodgarti (Chaudhuri, 1913) shallow longitudinal folds; vertebrae 93 – 99 + 42 – 45
= 137 – 144; flesh-red in colour.
1913. Moringua hodgarti Chaudhuri, Rec. Indian
Museum, 8(3):255, Pl. 9 (figs. 3, 3a–b) (type locality: Upper Distribution:
Western Ghats near Mumbai,
Rotung, Abor Hills, Assam, India, elevation 2000 feet). Maharashtra.
Diagnosis: A species of Monopterus having slender, submerged vegetation along the edges of streams
whiplike, scaleless body; jaws equal in forward extent; where the water is moving very slowly. It avoids light
gill aperture wide, crescentic; tail length 38.1% of total and tries to hide into the mud (Yazdani 1976, 1978).
length; vertebrae 76 precaudal, 71 caudal; 147 total.
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Distribution: Kerala.
Habit and Habitat: Known from a subterranean well. Family : MASTACEMBELIDAE
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 377. Macrognathus guentheri (Day, 1865)
1865. Mastacembelus guentheri Day; Proc. Zool. Soc.
Family: CHAUDHURIIDAE London, 1865 (1): 37 (type locality: Cochin, India).
375. Garo khajuriai (Talwar, Yazdani & Common Name: Malabar spinyeel.
Kundu, 1977)
Diagnosis: A species of Macrognathus having presence of
1977. Pillaia khajuriai Talwar, Yazdani & Kundu, preopercular spine; 11–13 caudal fin rays; dorsal fin spines
Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences, XXVII–XXX and 58–74 soft rays; anal fin with 59–75 soft
Section B 85(2): 53, fig. 1 (type locality: Paddy field rays; dorsal and anal fin confluent with caudal fin; few
at Rongrengiri, Garo Hills District, Meghalaya, black bands radiate from eye; a light band along upper
India). edge of lateral line.
Common Name: Garo spineless eel. Distribution: Western Ghats in Kerala.
Diagnosis: An eel-like fish with pectoral fin Habit and Habitat: Inhabits pools and slow running
containing 19–20 rays; caudal fin with 12 rays; dorsal waters.
fin with 40–44 rays; anal fin with 37–38 rays; fins
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
spineless; caudal fin confluent with dorsal and anal
fins; head conical; branchiostegal rays 6; body without
scales; pale brownish with scattered melanophores. Family: AMBASSIDAE
Distribution: Garo Hills, Meghalaya and Kaziranga 378. Parambassis bistigmata Geethakumari, 2012
Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. 2012. Parambassis bistigmata Geetakumari, Zootaxa,
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal; found in 3317:60, Figs. 1-3 (type locality:Ranga River, Kimin
rivers and paddy fields. Members of the Chaudhuriidae Station, Brahmaputra drainage, 27°21’01”N, 93°57’11”E,
family usually live among dense vegetation in standing Arunachal Pradesh, India).
or slowly flowing waters (Devi & Boguskaya, 2009). Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened. Diagnosis: A species of Parambassis with two distinct
376. Pillaia indica Yazdani, 1972 black spots on either side of the anal-fin origin
connected by a narrow black curved line; 13–14 gill
1972. Pillaia indica Yazdani, J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., rakers on the first gill arch; 65–67 scales in lateral series;
69(1): 134, Fig. 1 (type locality: Sumer stream, about a well developed pre-orbital edge with prominent, acute
22 kilometers north of Shillong, Khasi and Jaintia spines, almost covering the upper lip; dorsal and ventral
Hills, Meghalaya, India). sides of caudal peduncle with a longitudinal black stripe;
Common Name: Hillstream spineless eel. and a faint, vertically elongated humeral spot.
Diagnosis: An eel-like fish with pectoral fin containing Distribution: Ranga River, Arunachal Pradesh.
7–9 rays; caudal fin with 8–10 rays; dorsal fin with Habit and Habitat: Freshwater.
34–36 rays; anal fin with 34–36 rays; fins spineless;
caudal fin confluent with dorsal and anal fins; head IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
depressed; branchiostegal rays 6; body without scales; 379. Parambassis dayi (Bleeker, 1874)
dark purplish-brown on back, yellowish ventrally;
series of dark V-shaped marks and dark lines on flanks. 1874. Ambassis dayi Bleeker, Natuurk. Verh. Holland.
Maatsch. Wetensch. Haarlem, (Ser. 3) 2(2): 95 (type
Distribution: Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. locality: India).
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal. It is a Common Name: Day’s glassy perchlet.
very inactive fish and mostly spends its time lying at
the bottom, either buried in mud or clinging to some Diagnosis: A species of glassy perchlet with about 30
Mishra et al.: Pisces 215
382. Badis assamensis Ahl, 1937 Distribution: Brahmaputra River drainage, Assam.
1937. Badis badis assamensis Ahl, Zoologischer Habit and Habitat: Inhabits clear water streams
Anzeiger, 117(5/6): 118 (type locality: Rivulet falling with sandy bottom at about 300–400 m elevation;
in the Dibru River, about 100 kilometers southeastern freshwater; benthopelagic.
of Dibrugarh, Brahmaputra River drainage, Assam, IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
India).
216 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
385. Badis kanabos Kullander & Britz, 2002 scales 20; vertebrae 31; lateral row with 26–32 scales;
interorbital width 5.6–6.6% of SL; body depth 25.9–
2002. Badis kanabos Kullander & Britz, Ichthyological
29.2% of SL; lower jaw slightly projecting.
Exploration of Freshwaters, 13(4): 316, Fig. 12 (type
locality: Janali River, Raimana, Brahmaputra River Distribution: Manipur.
drainage, Kokrajhar District, Assam, India).
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits clear water montane
Common Name: None. streams and also lentic water bodies during summer;
Diagnosis: A species of Badis having a conspicuous freshwater; pelagic.
dark blotch covering the superficial part of cleithrum IUCN Status: Endangered.
above the pectoral fin base; dark caudal peduncle
blotch absent; body depth 29.9–35.4% SL; interorbital 388. Dario dario (Hamilton 1822)
width 7.3–8.6% SL; a conspicuous dark blotch 1822. Labrus dario Hamilton, An account of the fishes
anteriorly in the dorsal fin, between 3rd-5th spine; found in the river Ganges: 72, 368 (type locality: Janali
distal extrascapular present; vertical bars on sides as River, Raimana, Brahmaputra River drainage, Kokrajhar
multiple emphasized narrow lines; caudal fin with District, Assam, India).
dark bar across base or midbasal rounded dark blotch.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Brahmaputra River drainage, Assam.
Diagnosis: A small Chameleonfish having no palatine
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits hill streams, with sandy dentition; scales in transverse row 8½; no anguloarticular
and gravel bottom; freshwater; benthopelagic. lateralis canal; dorsal fin with XXII–XXIV spines and
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. 6–8 rays; pre-, post-, and supraorbital stripes present;
males with 7 prominent dark vertical bars across sides;
386. Badis singenensis Geetakumari & Kadu, 2011 females uniform or with indistinct vertical bars.
2011. Badis singenensis Geetakumari & Kadu, Journal Distribution: North-east India- Assam, West Bengal.
of Threatened Taxa, 3(9): 2086, Image 1 (type locality:
Saku-Kadu Village, Singen River, Brahmaputra Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; benthopelagic;
drainage, Arunachal Pradesh, India). inhabits shallow clear waters with dense vegetation of
aquatic plants and sand and fine gravel substratum.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Diagnosis: A species of Badis with scales in lateral
row 25–26; interorbital space 9.2–13.3% SL; upper 389. Dario urops Britz, Ali & Philip, 2012
jaw 7.6–8.8% SL; head length 30.2–34.6% SL; a
conspicuous round black blotch postero-dorsally on 2012. Dario urops Britz, Ali & Philip, Zootaxa, No.
opercle at the base of opercle spine covering many 3348: 46, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: A small unnamed
scales; three distinct black blotches at dorsal fin base: stream, off the Barapole tributary of Valapattanam
the first, behind the third spine; the second, behind river, Karnataka; 12°00.310′N, 75°53.408′E, Western
the sixth dorsal spine and the third, behind the fifth Ghats, southern India, elevation 811 meters).
and sixth soft dorsal rays and a black blotch at the base Common Name: None.
behind the fifth soft anal fin ray.
Diagnosis: A species of Dario having a conspicuous
Distribution: Singen River, Brahmaputra drainage, black blotch on the caudal peduncle and a horizontal
Arunachal Pradesh. suborbital stripe, by the anterior dorsal fin lappets in
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; pelagic. males not being produced beyond fin spines.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Distribution: Southern Karnataka and Wayanad
District, Kerala.
387. Badis tuivaiei Vishwanath & Shanta, 2004
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; pelagic.
2004. Badis tuivaiei Vishwanath & Shanta, Zoos’ Print
Journal, 19(9): 1619, Fig. 1 (type locality: Tuivai River, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Churachandpur District, Manipur, India).
Common name: Family: NANDIDAE
Diagnosis: A species of Badis having a conspicuous 390. Nandus andrewi Ng & Jaafar, 2008
black blotch that covers the superficial part of the 2008. Nandus andrewi Ng & Jaafar, Zootaxa, No. 1731:
cleithrum above pectoral fin base; a black blotch 25, figs. 1, 2a, 3 (type locality: Ichamati River drainage,
between third and fourth dorsal spine and a mid-basal vicinity of Duttaphulia, 23°14′N, 88°43′E, Nadia
rounded black spot on caudal fin; circumpenduncular District, West Bengal, India).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 217
dorsal fins subequale; origin of 1st dorsal fin just above fit to that of female specimens of Himantura bleekeri
or slightly anterior to rear end of pelvic fin base. (Mishra, pers. obs.). Occurrence of a freshwater sting
ray in the Ganges as stated in Hamilton (1822) can not
Distribution: South-west coast of India.
be ruled out as Ishihara et al (1998) have collected this
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range species and determined it as Himantura chaophraya, a
about 300 m. species known from Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. In absence of continual distribution and considering
geographical distance, it is strongly felt that Indian
species of freshwater sting ray may be considered
Family: RHINOBATIDAE as valid and a distinct population. However, there
400. Rhinobatos variegatus Nair & Lal Mohan, 1973 is a need of material for proper identification and
characterization. Fresh collections can only resolve the
1973. Rhinobatos variegatus Nair & Lal Mohan, confusion.
Sencken. Biol., 54(1/3): 77, Fig. 4 (type locality: India).
Common Name: Stripenose Guitarfish. Family: MORINGUIDAE
Diagnosis: A guitarfish having anterior nasal valve 402. Moringua arundinacea (McClelland, 1844)
extending only as far as level of inner margin of nostril;
first dorsal fin base 2.7–2.8 in the interspace between 1844. Ptyobranchus arundinaceus McClelland,
dorsal fins; a series of minute tubercles on midline of Calcutta J. Nat. Hist., 5(18): 200, 204, 221, pl. 10, fig. 1
back; eye diameter about 4.9 times in snout length; (type locality: Bengal, India).
pectoral and pelvic fins with blue veriagated markings. Common Name: Bengal spaghetti-eel.
Distribution: Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu coast. Diagnosis: A species of the genus Moringua with
Habit and Habitat: Manine; demersal; inhabits extremely elongate, relatively slender body, with depth
deepwater region of the sea in the upper slope at a 47–50 times in total length; head inconspicuous from
depth of 360 m. rest of body, its length 10–12 times in total length;
occipital crest not elevated.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Distribution: Estuaries of West Bengal.
Family: DASYATIDAE Habit and Habitat: Inhabits estuaries.
401. Himantura fluviatilis (Hamilton 1822) IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
1822. Raia fluviatilis Hamilton, Fish. Ganges: 1 (type
locality: Ganges River, India). Family: MURAENIDAE
Common Name: Ganges sting ray. 403. Enchelycore tamarae Prokofiev, 2005
Diagnosis: A species of Sting ray having its width 2005. Enchelycore tamarae Prokofiev, Voprosy Ikhtiologii,
maximum anterior to eyes; snout acutely pointed; disc 45(5): 702, Figs. 1–2. (In Russian. Appeared in English
oval with two functional stings; tail without cutaneous in J. Ichthyol., 45 (8): 670–672 (type locality: Mangapan
folds; dorsal surface uniform brown. coral reef, Crusadan Island, India).
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits deep freshwater rivers. Diagnosis: An eel species having dark spots,
short transversal and sinuous stripes against a light
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. background; blackish brown snout and jaws; 5 rows of
Remarks: The identity of this species is confused. intermaxillary teeth; maxillary teeth in two rows and
Authors consider it as a junior synonym of Pastinachus mandibular teeth in one row; origin of the dorsal fin on
sephen (Roberts 1998; Last et al, 2005) or a valid species the level of gill opening; 130 vertebrae including 5 pre-
of Pastinachus (Roberts, 2007). A proper description, dorsal and 53 pre-anal (VF 5–53–130) (Prokofiev, 2005).
drawing or museum specimen is completely lacking Distribution: Crusadai Island, near Mandapam, Gulf of
(Hamilton, 1822; Hora, 1929) for this species. Mannar.
However, Talwar & Jhingran (1991) treated it as a valid
species, but the identifying characters given for this Habit and Habitat: Inhabits coral reef areas.
species seem to be erroneous. That may possibly well IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
220 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
dorsal fin insertion ahead of pelvic origin; snout pointed; and sometimes show clumping; pectoral filament short,
small distinct teeth on jaws; second supra-maxilla long; reaching to base of 1st to 15th anal finray; anal fin with
gillrakers 24–27. iii, 65 to 72 finrays; head 18.0 to l9.7% of SL; upper
caudal fin lobe truncated, shorter than lower one.
Distribution: southwestern coast of India.
Distribution: Ganges system, from Delhi to Kolkata.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits lowland rivers, river mouths
and backwaters. Habit and Habitat: Inhabits riverine waters; freshwater;
pelagic.
IUCN Status: Least Concern.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Family: PRISTIGASTERIDAE 413. Thryssa gautamiensis Babu Rao 1971
410. Ilisha obfuscata Wongratana, 1983 1971. Thryssa gautamiensis Babu Rao, Copeia, 1971
1983. Ilisha obfuscata Wongratana, Jap. J. Ichthyol., 29(4): (3): 473, fig. 1 (type locality: Near Bhairavapalem
397, Fig. 14 (type locality: Mumbai, India). village, Gautami branch of Godavari Estuary, Andhra
Pradesh, India).
Common Name: Hidden ilisha.
Common Name: Gautama Thryssa.
Diagnosis: A species of Ilisha with two very short tubes
of swimbladder passing in the muscle on either side of Diagnosis: A species of Thryssa with the maxilla
haemal spine; lower gill rakers 27–28; belly scutes 19–20 + projecting slightly beyond edge of gill cover; tip of snout
8; anal fin rays 39–42. at about upper rim of orbit; anal fin with iii, 34–37 rays;
lower gillrakers 17–20; belly scutes 14 – 17 + 10; a black
Distribution: Known only from Bombay and Pondicherry shoulder spot and a pair of dark lines on back.
(by single specimen each).
Distribution: East coast of India.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic up
to 50 m depth, possibly entering estuaries. Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic;
occurring mostly inshore and entering estuaries.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
411. Pellona dayi Wongratana, 1983
414. Thryssa kammalensoides Wongratana, 1983
1983. Pellona dayi Wongratana, Jap. Ichthyol., 29(4):
395, Fig. 12 (type locality: Porto Novo, southern India). 1983. Thryssa (Scutengraulis) kammalensoides
Wongratana, Jap. J. Ichthyol., 29(4): 401, fig. 20 (type
Common Name: Day’s pellona. locality: Godavari estuary, eastern coast of India).
Diagnosis: An Ilisha-like Pristigasterid fish having Common Name: Godavari thryssa.
toothed hypomaxilla; 20 or 21 gillrakers on lower arm
of first arch; 35–41 anal fin rays; scales with upper and Diagnosis: A species of Thryssa with maxilla tip
lower striae not meeting at centre of scale. pointed, reaching just to edge of gill cover; anal fin rays
iii, 31–32; lower gillrakers 24–25; belly scutes 16 – 18
Distribution: Eastern coast of southern India. + 10 – 11; first supramaxilla absent; tip of pelvic fin
Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic falling short of vertical from dorsal origin; a dark saddle
up to 50 m inshore waters, possibly entering estuaries. on nape, extending to area behind upper part of gill
opening.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Eastern coast of India.
Family: ENGRAULIDAE Habit and Habitat: Occurring mostly inshore and
entering estuaries (Mishra & Krishnan, 1999); marine,
412. Setipinna brevifilis (Valenciennes, 1848)
brackish; pelagic.
1848. Engraulis brevifilis Valenciennes, in Cuvier &
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 21: 54 (type locality:
Bengal). 415. Thryssa polybranchialis Wongratana, 1983
Common Name: Short-hairfin anchovy. 1983. Thryssa (Scutengraulis) polybranchialis
Wongratana, Jap. J. Ichthyol., 29(4): 402, Fig. 21 (type
Diagnosis: A species of Setipinna with 15 – 17 + 6 –
locality: Mumbai, India).
7 = 22 – 23 keeled belly scutes; gillrakers 17 or 18 on
lower arm of first arch, the serrae enlarged near the tip Common Name: Humphead thryssa.
222 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
1983. Thryssa (Scutengraulis) stenosoma Wongratana, Distribution: Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh coast.
Jap. J. Ichthyol., 29(4): 404, Fig. 23 (type locality: Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range
Godavari estuary, eastern coast of India). 440–500 m.
Common Name: Slender thryssa. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Thryssa with 15 – 17 + 10 – 12 419. Saurida pseudotumbil Dutt & Sagar, 1981
= 26 – 28 keeled belly scutes; branched anal fin rays 1981. Saurida pseudotumbil Dutt & Sagar, Proc. Indian
40–45; tip of snout at about level of eye center or just a Nat. Sci. Acad., (B) 47(6): 846, Fig. 1 (type locality:
little higher; maxilla long, reaching to pectoral fin base Visakhapatnam, India).
or slightly beyond; first supra-maxilla minute, oval;
teeth in lower jaw slightly enlarged; a pair of dark lines Common Name: None.
along back. Diagnosis: A species of Saurida with 3–4 rows of
Distribution: Godavari and Ganges estuaries- east teeth anteriorly on palate, 2 rows posteriorly; apressed
pectoral fin tip not reaching pelvic fin origin; pelvic
coast of India.
fin with 9 rays; pectoral fin with 14–15 rays; flanks
Habit and Habitat: Brackish; pelagic; mostly an without dark patch or bars; indistinct bars on anterior
estuarine species, but also found inshore. rays of dorsal; pyloric caecae striped, anterior 2/3 of
stomach dark gray.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: East coast of India.
Family: ARIIDAE Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; occur on soft
417. Arius malabaricus Day, 1877 bottoms.
1877. Arius malabaricus Day, Fishes of India, (3): 464, IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Pl. 107 (fig. 4) (type locality: Canara, India).
Family: BATRACHOIDIDAE
Common Name: None.
420. Perulibatrachus aquilonarius
Diagnosis: A species of Arius with one patch of Greenfield, 2005
elongate, ovate palatine teeth on each side, reaching
far forward; teeth on palatine patch grannular; 2005. Perulibatrachus aquilonarius Greenfield, Proc.
premaxillary tooth band continuous, 10 times as long California Acad. Sci., 56(7): 77, Figs. 1 A–B (type
as broad; median longitudinal groove on head reaching locality: Ennur Fisheries Station, Madras, India).
base of occipital process; dorsal spine distinctly shorter Common Name: None.
than pectoral spine; maxillary barbels black, as long as
Diagnosis: A species of Perulibatrachus with a wide
head.
head, its width being 37.1–43.5% of SL; 17–18 dorsal
Distribution: South-west coast of India. fin rays; 13 anal fin rays; 21–23 pectoral fin rays; a
shallow, funnel-shaped pauch at the upper pectoral
Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; demersal. fin axil; body and fin covered with small dark spots
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. (Beenish & Greenfield, 2011).
Mishra et al.: Pisces 223
Distribution: Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Diagnosis: A halfbeak with upper jaw slightly wider
than long, its length less than eye diameter; dorsal fin
Habit and Habitat: Marine; benthopelagic; in the
inserted above 5th anal fin ray; anal fin base about
depth range 10–30 m.
twice the dorsal fin base; anal fin with 14–19 rays; nasal
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. papilla elongate and pointed.
Distribution: Hooghly River, Kolkata.
Family: OGCOCEPHALIDAE
Habit and Habitat: Brackish; pelagic; found in
421. Halieutopsis nasuta (Alcock 1891) estuaries.
1891. Dibranchus nasutus Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Hist. (Ser. 6), 8(43/44): 24, pl. 7, fig. 1 (type locality:
Andaman Sea). Remarks: This species is not recorded since its
original discovery and only known from the holotype.
Common Name: None.
424. Hyporhamphus xanthopterus
Diagnosis: Head and anterior part of body forming (Valenciennes 1847)
a large flat semicircular disk as broad as long; tail
cylindrical; villiform teeth in the jaws; snout projecting; 1847. Hemiramphus xanthopterus Valenciennes, in
subrostral cavily with a fleshy tentacle and closely Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 19: 47 (type
placed nostrils on its side; gill cleft a small opening locality: Fresh waters of Alleppey, southeastern India).
situated superiorly in the axilla; tongue large, blotched Common Name: Red-tipped halfbeak.
with dusky pigment; dorsal surface covered with stout
spines; under surface of the cephalic disk without Diagnosis: A halfbeak with rounded nasal papilla;
spines; edge of disk and anterior part of abdomen jet- 41–53 gillrakers on first arch; upper jaw short, triangular
black. and scaly, its width 0.8–1.0 times in its length; lateral
line with one branch ascending towards pactoral fin
Distribution: Andaman Sea, India. base; fleshy tip of beak red, fins yellowish.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range Distribution: Southern coasts of India.
344–403 m.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit estuaries, rivers and
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. coastal marine waters; pelagic-neritic in marine,
Remarks: This species is uncertain as Halieutopsis brackish and freshwater.
nasuta (Alcock, 1891) in CofF ver. Aug. 2012 IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
(Eschmeyer, 2012).
Family: SYNGNATHIDAE
Family: MUGILIDAE
425. Microphis insularis (Hora 1925)
422. Liza mandapamensis Thomson, 1997
1925. Doryichthys insularis Hora, in Annandale &
1997. Liza mandapamensis Thomson, Mem. Hora, Rec. Indian Mus., 27(2): 38, Pl. 2 (fig. 1) (type
Queensland Mus., 41(3): 526 (type locality: Kilakarei, locality: Birchgunge, southern Andaman Islands).
south of Mandapam, southern India).
Common Name: Andaman pipefish.
Common Name: Indian mullet.
Diagnosis: A pipe fish of the genus Microphis having
Distribution: Mandapam, Gulf of Mannar. 30–33 tail rings; snout depth length 1.9–2.2 times in
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; occurs inshore. head length; snout depth 4.1–5.5 in snout length; dorsal
fin rays 32–38; longitudinal opercular ridge distinct
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. with one to several supplemental ridges; lateral snot
ridge usually arched; superiour trunk ridge distinctly
Family: HEMIRAMPHIDAE elevated snout with irregular dak bars or blotches.
423. Dermogenys brachynotopterus (Bleeker 1854) Distribution: Andaman Islands.
1853. Hemiramphus brachynotopterus Bleeker, Ver. Habit and Habitat: A demersal and potamodromous
Batav. Genoot. Kunst. Wet., 25(8): 146 (type locality: fish, found in freshwater rivers and streams.
Hooghly River, Calcutta, India). IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
Common Name: None.
224 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range Common Name: : Leopard jawfish.
30–100 m. Diagnosis: A species of Opistognathus with a rigid
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. maxilla without flexible lamina posteriorly; dorsal
fin with11 spines and 11 rays; total gill rakers 40–41;
outermost segmented pelvic-fin ray tightly bound to
Family: OPISTOGNATHIDAE adjacent ray, with interradial membrane not incised
428. Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz, 2011 distally; head mostly covered with small, irregular-
shaped dark spots.
2011. Opistognathus albicaudatus Smith-Vaniz,
Zootaxa, 3085: 35, figs, 1–4 (type locality: Fusilier Distribution: Kerala coast.
Strait, 11°52.6′N. 93°03.13′E, Andaman Islands, Habit and Habitat: Marine; trawled at depths 110–
depth 35 meters). 220 m.
Common Name: None. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 225
Distribution: East and west coast of India Diagnosis: A species of Leiognathus with dorsal
profile more convex than ventral; a distinct concavity
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit inshore coastal waters; above eye; fairly deep body, its depth 1.3 to 1.8 in SL;
marine, demersal. mouth when protracted directed downwards; gape of
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. mouth when closed opposite and above lower margin
of eye; 19–22 gillrakers on first arch; breast scaleless;
432. Sillago soringa Dutt & Sujatha, 1982 2nd dorsal spine filiform; body with 11 distinct
1982. Sillago soringa Dutt & Sujatha, Proc. Indian yellowish orange verical bands.
Nat. Sci. Acad., B 48(5):612, Fig. 1 (type locality: Distribution: Gulf of Mannar.
Off Visakhapatnam, India).
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
Common Name: Soringa sillago.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Sillago having 64–68
lateral line scales; swim bladder with three anterior
Family: EMMELICHTHYIDAE
extensions; anterolateral extensions recurved
posteriorly, extend to less than half length of swim 435. Erythrocles acarina Kotthaus 1974.
bladder; body uniform with minute dots forming
1974. Erythrocles acarina Kotthaus, ‘Meteor’. Forssch.
gray stripes on dorsal fin membrane anterior to
Reihe D. Biol., (17): 48, Fig. 320 (type locality: Indian
rays.
Ocean, 9°40′N, 75°38.8′E to 9°45.5′N, 75°38.5′E,
Distribution: East coast of India. Meteor station 189, depth 138–210 meters).
Habit and Habitat: Inhabit inshore waters with Common Name: None.
sandy bottoms; marine; demersal.
Diagnosis: A species of Erythrocles with dorsal fin
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. continuous but deeply notched before last spine; dorsal
fin spines usually XI; 62–67 scales in lateral line; body
433. Sillago vincenti McKay, 1980
depth 27–29% SL; head length 34–36% SL.
1980. Sillago vincenti McKay, J. mar. biol. Assoc.
Distribution: Kerala coast, southwest coast of India.
India, 18(2) [1976]: 378, Fig. 1a–c (type locality:
Kavand, near Neendakara, north of Quilon, Kerala Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range
State, India). 138–300 m.
Common Name: Vincent’s sillago. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Sillago having swim bladder
with a single posterior extension, a short bulbous Family: GERREIDAE
projection anteriorly with one to three anterolobate 436. Gerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra 2001.
or recurved projections; no tubular extensions
anteriorly; body color is uniform pale tan, with the 2001. Gerres phaiya Iwatsuki & Heemstra, Copeia, 2001
second dorsal fin spotted. (4): 1044, Figs. 1 A–B, 2A (type locality: Mangalore,
Karnataka, India).
226 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Common Name: Strong spined silver-biddy. shaped with 12–13 pairs of arborescent appendages,
first pair cephalic.
Diagnosis: A species of Gerres with second dorsal fin
spine longest, 23–27% SL; number of scales between the Distribution:
Ganga river, including Hooghly
base of the 5th dorsal fin spine and lateral line 4–4.5; estuary.
pelvic and anal fins yellow, first few rays of pelvic fin with Habit and Habitat: Inhabits rivers and estuaries;
a white distal margin; caudal fin yellowish-dusky, lobes freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic.
broadly rounded posteriorly; dorsal and pectoral fins
yellowish-hyaline; trunk with 6–10 vertical dusky bars. IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Distribution: Coasts of India, probably Andamans.
Family: MULLIDAE
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow waters; marine;
439. Upeneus indicus Uiblein & Heemstra, 2010
brackish; demersal.
2010. Upeneus indicus Uiblein & Heemstra, Smithiana,
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Bull., (11): 43, Pls. 1, 3 (type locality: Cochin, western
India).
Family: NEMIPTERIDAE
Common Name: Tall-fin goatfish.
437. Parascolopsis boesemani (Rao & Rao, 1981)
Diagnosis: A species of Upeneus having eight
1981. Scolopsis boesemani Rao & Rao, Proc. Kon. Ned. dorsal spines; 20–22 lower gillrakers; 36 lateral
Akad. Wetensch. Ser. C, 84(1):139, figs. 2, 4 (type locality: line scales; body depth at first dorsal-fin origin
Waltair, eastern coast of India). 29–31% SL; head length 30–31%SL; barbel length
19–20% SL; first dorsal-fin height 23–24% SL; 4–6
Common Name: Redfin dwarf monocle bream.
pale brown bars on upper caudal-fin lobe, and 4
Diagnosis: A species of Parascolopsis with head scales on lower lobe, with the 3 proximal bars on upper
reaching forward to level of posterior nostrils; posterior lobe slightly curved; body with 3 pale brown lateral
margin of preopercle more or less vertical; lower limb of body stripes, length of dark first dorsal-fin tip
preopercle naked; posterior margin of suborbital finely distinctly smaller than orbit; head and body silvery
denticulate; pectoral and pelvic fins long, reaching to rose laterally, dorsally dark reddish, and belly
beyond level of anus, axillary scale present; body rosy- silvery white.
yellow; a blood-red blotch between seventh and tenth Distribution: Cochin, Kerala coast.
spines.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; reef-associated.
Distribution: Waltair, Andhra Predesh.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range 150–
300 m; occurs on sand or mud bottoms in offshore waters.
Family: CIRRHITIDAE
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
440. Cirrhitichthys bleekeri Day, 1874
Remarks: Known only from a single specimen;
1874. Cirrhitichthys bleekeri Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
subsequent records lacking.
1873 (3) (art. 6): 705 (type locality: Madras, India).
438. Johnius gangeticus Talwar, 1991 Diagnosis: A Cirrhitichthys species with pelvic fins not
reaching anus ; preorbital scaleless; 6–7 lower pectoral
1991. Johnius gangeticus Talwar, in Talwar & Jhingran, rays unbranched; lateral line scales 43–45; 3 rows of scales
Inland fishes of India and adjacent countries, 2: 859, Fig. between lateral line and 4th dorsal spine base; colour rosy
261 (type locality: Ganga River at Allahabad, Uttar with light longitudinal lines; a large ill-defined dark blotch
Pradesh, India). below soft dorsal fin; a dark spot behind upper edge of
opercle.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: South-east coast of India, possibly Sri
Diagnosis: A species of Johnius having closely set
Lanka.
villiform teeth on jaws; snout swollen, projecting,
about equal to eye diameter; lower gillrakers 10–11, Habit and Habitat: Inhabits coastal marine waters,
short and slender; body depth 20–25% SL; 2nd anal mostly reef-associated.
spine about ½ of head length; swim bladder hammer- IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 227
Family: LABRIDAE Family: AMMODYTIDAE
441. Iniistius cyanifrons Valenciennes, 1840 444. Bleekeria murtii Joshi, Zacharia &
1840. Xyrichthys cyanifrons Valenciennes, in Cuvier Kanthan, 2012
& Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 14: 46 (type locality: 2012. Bleekeria murtii Joshi, Zacharia & Kanthan, Indian
Puducherry, India). J. Fish., 59(2): 102, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Tuticonn,
Common Name: None. India).
Diagnosis: A species of Iniistius with two rows of Common Name: None.
minute scales below and behind the eyes; first 2 spines Diagnosis: A species of Bleekeria with lower jaw
of dorsal fin separate but connected by membrane with protruding than upper jaw; 34–49 dorsal soft rays;
rest of the fin; body uniform, anal and caudal fin with 12–16 anal soft rays, no pelvic fins; head length 18–23%
wavy blue lines. of SL; lateral line scales 80–108; scales absent from a
Distribution: Tamil Nadu coast. line anterior to the dorsal fin; 56–75 vertebrae; grayish
yellow on back, with continuous and discontinuous
Habit and Habitat: Marine; pelagic-neritic.
yellow bands.
IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Distribution: Known only from Tuticorin, Tamil
442. Xyrichtys rajagopalani Venkataramanujam, Nadu.
Venkataramani & Ramanathan, 1982
Habit and Habitat: Marine; pelagic-neritic; found
1987. Xyrichtys rajagopalani Venkataramanujam, usually over sandy bottoms of depth between 20–50 m;
Venkataramani & Ramanathan, J. mar. biol. Assoc. form schools and protect themselves from their prey
India, 24(1–2) [1982]: 47, Fig. 1 (type locality: by burrowing.
Tuticorin Bay, Tamil Nadu, India).
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Xyrichtys having oblique Family: URANOSCOPIDAE
dorsal profile of head, not convex before eye; maxilla
ends before orbit; first two dorsal spines not separated 445. Uranoscopus crassiceps Alcock, 1890
from rest of fins; first dorsal originates at posterior 1890. Uranoscopus crassiceps Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat.
margin of orbit; a small but prominent indentation Hist., Ser. 6, 6(33): 205 (type locality: Off Madras coast,
present on ventral side between head and body; scales India).
in patches presenton checks and posterior orbit.
Common Name: None.
Distribution: Tamil Nadu coast.
Diagnosis: A species of Uranoscopus with humeral
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
spine obliquely directed upwards and backwards; 5
IUCN Status: Data Deficient. spines along lower edge of preoperculum; 2 pairs of
short, forwardly directed spines under head; dorsal
Family: TRICHONOTIDAE and anal with 13 soft rays; first dorsal fin black; caudal
fin dark.
443. Trichonotus cyclograptus (Alcock, 1890)
Distribution: East coast of India.
1890. Taeniolabrus cyclograptus Alcock, Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (Ser. 6), 6(36): 430 (type locality: Ganjam Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range about
Coast, Bay of Bengal, India). 180 m.
Common Name: None IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A species of Trichonotus with 39–40
anal fin rays; dorsal fin rays IV, 45–46; 57–59 lateral Family: BLENNIIDAE
line scales; body covered with cycloid scales; body
burnished metallic gold; vertical fins with blue ocelli 446. Alloblennius frondiculus Smith-Vaniz
arranged in parallel longitudinal rows. & Allen, 2012
Distribution: Ganjam Coast, Bay of Bengal. 2012. Alloblennius frondiculus Smith-Vaniz &
Allen, Zootaxa, No. 3199: 62, Figs. 1–3 (type
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal. locality: India).
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Common Name: None.
228 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Diagnosis: A species of Alloblennius having pinnately 449. Callionymus megastomus Fricke, 1982
branched supraorbital cirrus about equal to eye
diameter in height; lower jaws with relatively large, 1982. Callionymus megastomus Fricke, Journ. Nat.
darkly pigmented labial flap anteriorly on each side Hist., 16(3): 345, Fig. 1 (type locality: India).
of chin; pectoral fin with 10 or 11 distinct, small dark Common Name: None.
spots; and anteriormost preopercular pore position
with a vertical pair of pores. Diagnosis: A species of Callionymus with three spines
in the first dorsal fin, ten rays in the second dorsal
Distribution: East coast of India. fin, and nine rays in the anal fin; maxillary complex
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits near shore areas of of extremely protractile, with a very long process ascends
South Cinque Island, Andaman Islands with large of the premaxillary.
algal-covered boulders at bottom in an area of very Distribution: Off Kolkata, Bay of Bengal.
strong surge.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
447. Praealticus dayi (Whitley, 1929).
1929. Salarias dayi Whitley, Records of the Family: ELEOTRIDAE
Australian Museum, 17(3):136 (type locality:
Andaman Islands). 450. Eleotris andamensis Herre, 1939
Common Name: None. 1939. Eleotris andamensis Herre, Rec. Indian Mus.,
41(4): 344 (type locality: Stream near Machligaon,
Diagnosis: A species of Blenni with dorsal fin
Port Blair, Andaman Islands).
distinctly notched; low crest on head; a tuft of fringed
supraorbital tentacle, one at nostril; dorsal fin not Common Name: None.
continued to caudal fin; blue spots on head; 8 pairs of
vertical brown bands on flanks; 2 or 3 rows of white Diagnosis: A species of Eleotris with 38–40 predorsal
spots along lower and posterior half of body; dorsal scales; 58–60 scales in longitudinal series; transverse
fins with oblique dark bands; caudal banded with series between origin of second dorsal and anal 19–20;
brown spots. mouth strongly oblique, projecting chin; maxillary
extends beneath front of eye; a black spot at upper
Distribution: Andaman Islands. angle of gill opening; three black stripes extend back
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow water along from the eye; dorsal, anal, pectoral and caudal fins with
rocky shores. rows of brown spots.
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Distribution: Andaman Islands.
Habit and Habitat: Freshwater; demersal.
Family: CALLIONYMIDAE
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
448. Callionymus kotthausi Fricke, 1981
1981. Callionymus kotthausi Fricke, Proc. Family: XENISTHMIDAE
California Acad. Sci. (Ser. 4), 42(14): 363, fig. 10
(type locality: About 40 kilometers west-southwest 451. Xenisthmus smithi Menon & Talwar, 1973
of Cochin, India). 1973. Kraemericus smithi Menon & Talwar, J. Bombay
Common Name: None Nat. Hist. Soc., 69(3):55, Fig. 1 (type locality: Dogma river,
Great Nicobar Islands, India).
Diagnosis: A species of Callionymus with the main
tip of preopercular spine long and slender; outer Common Name: None.
margins of dorsal and anal fin straight; branchial Diagnosis: A gobioid fish with a fairly elongate body;
opening small; head 3.8–4.1 in SL; lower part of eyes large, visible from underside of head; teeth minute
caudal fin colourless; anal fin with a broad black and sharp, one row on upper jaw and two rows on lower
margin; sides of body with a row of small distinct
jaw; gill membrane free from isthmus; body scaleless; no
black blotches.
lateral line; fins separate; caudal fin truncate; vertebrae 7
Distribution: Kerala coast. + 16.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal; depth range Distribution: Dogma river, Great Nicobar Islands.
138–211 m.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits estuarine waters; buried in
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. sand.
Mishra et al.: Pisces 229
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. 1974. Callogobius andamanensis Menon & Chatterjee,
Current Science, 43(4):126, fig. 1 (type locality: Curlow
453. Acentrogobius griseus (Day, 1876) Island, Middle Andaman Island, Andaman Sea).
1876. Gobius griseus Day, Fishes of India, (2): 285, Pl. Common Name: None.
63, fig. 3 (type locality: Backwaters, Madras, India).
Diagnosis: A Gobioid fish of genus Callogobius
Common Name: None. with about 7 papilliated transverse ridges and 4–5
Diagnosis: A species of Acentrogobius with cheek longitudinal ridges on head; about 30 predorsal scales;
and opercle scaled; 40–42 scales in longitudinal very minute cycloid scales on body; 70 scales in
series; predorsal scales more than 20; olivaceous longitudinal series and pointed teeth on jaws arranged
with bands and well marked deep brown or black in several rows; 2–3 darker blotches on sides; pectoral
spots; dorsal fin with 3–4 bands with yellowish and caudal fin with dark bars.
base. Distribution: Andaman Islands.
Distribution: East coast of India. Habit and Habitat: Marine; benthopelagic.
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits estuaries and backwaters, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
common in Ennore backwaters.
457. Callogobius mannarensis Rangarajan 1968
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
1968. Callogobius mannarensis Rangarajan, J. mar.
454. Acentrogobius masoni (Day 1873) biol. Assoc. India, 10(2) [1970]: 347, fig. 1, pl. 1 (type
1873. Gobius masoni Day, Proc. zool. Soc. London, locality: Vedalai, Gulf of Mannar, 9°16′N, 79°08′E,
1873 (1): 107 (type locality: Mumbai, India). southern India, depth 1 meter).
Diagnosis: A Gobioid fish of genus Callogobius Distribution: Vellar estuary, Tamil Nadu.
with transverse as well as longitudinal papillated
Habit and Habitat: Brackish; demersal;
ridges on head; head above behind eye and breast
amphidromous.
naked; predorsal scales absent; scales of body cycloid;
maxillary ends in front of eye; pectoral with 15–17 IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
rays; teeth biserial; interorbital nearly as broad as the
460. Callogobius trifasciatus Menon &
eye diameter; body pinkish with 4 narrow brownish
Chatterjee, 1976
bands radiate from eye.
1976. Callogobius trifasciatus Menon & Chatterjee,
Distribution: Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu.
Mahasagar, 7(3–4): 205, Fig. 1 (A–D) (type locality:
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal. Mayabunder, Middle Andaman Island, Andaman
Islands).
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Common Name: None.
458. Callogobius melanoptera (Visweswara
Rao, 1971) Diagnosis: A Gobioid fish of genus Callogobius with
about 8 transverse and 5 longitudinal papilliated
1971. Callogobius melanoptera Visweswara Rao, J.
ridges on head; 36 scales in longitudinal series; about
zool. Soc. India, 23(1): 44, figs. 1a, d. (type locality:
12 predorsal scales; scales cycloid anteriorly, ctenoid
Godavari Estuary, India).
posteriorly; caudal fin longer than head; body with 3
Common Name: None. distinct darker and broad transverse bands.
Diagnosis: A gobioid fish of genus Callogobius with Distribution: Andaman Islands.
sensory papillae on raised flaps on head; a prominent
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
ridge around eye; about 38 scales in longitudinal series;
about 23 predorsal scales; body depth 5.8, head length IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
3.2 in SL; 2nd dorsal with 10 branched rays; anal fin
461. Chiramenu fluviatilis Rao, 1971
with 9 branched rays; pectoral fin with 20 soft rays; all
fins deep black. 1971. Chiramenu fluviatilis Rao, J. Mar. biol. Assoc.
India, 12(1–2): 184, Figs. 1–2 (type locality: Gautami,
Distribution: Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh.
Godavari estuary, eastern India).
Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; demersal.
Common Name: None.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Diagnosis: A Gobioid fish with teeth in upper jaw
Remarks: Larson & Hoese (1997) and Larson & in one row; caudal fin shorter than head; gill opening
Murdy (2001) treated this species under the genus extend to slightly below pectoral fin base; pelvic fin
Egglestonichthys Miller & Wongrat, which seems to frenum well developed; mouth inferior; 2nd dorsal
have deep water members. The species described by and anal fin with 10 branched rays each; transluscent
Visweswar Rao (1971) is from estuarine region and with black spots on head and body; 5 narrow vertical
pending further confirmation it is preferred to retain bands on flanks; a black spot on 1st dorsal fin before
with the original combination. 4th spine; 2nd dorsal fin with 4 oblique bands.
459. Callogobius seshaiyai Jacob & Rangarajan, 1960 Distribution: Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh.
1960. Callogobius seshaiyai Jacob [J.] & Rangarajan, Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; demersal.
J. zool. Soc. India, 12(1): 20 (type locality: Vellar estuary, IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Porto Novo, southern India).
462. Odontamblyopus roseus (Valenciennes 1837).
Common Name: None.
1837. Amblyopus roseus Valenciennes, in Cuvier &
Diagnosis: A Gobioid fish of genus Callogobius
Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 12: 164 (type locality:
with sensory papillae on raised flaps; 11–13 rays
Mumbai, India, Arabian Sea, western Indian Ocean).
on 2nd dorsal fin; 28–32 scale rows in longitudinal
series; basal membrane of pelvic fins developed; Common Name: None.
a broad and deep yellow across the shoulder Diagnosis: An eel-like gobi with oblique mouth;
extending to base of pectoral fin; dorsal deep brown symphysial canines on lower jaw; long dorsal and
with yellow margin; anal fin black; caudal fin base anal fins with 35–43 rays; pectoral fin long, about
dark. 70% of head length and with less than 33 rays;
Mishra et al.: Pisces 231
dorsal surface of skull bony; eyes rudimentary Diagnosis: A species of Oxyurichthys having one row
but distinct, covered by skin; several short barbels of teeth in upper jaw; 46–48 scales in longitudinal
on underside of chin; epinurals present from 1st series; a distinct elongate tentacle over eye.
precaudal vertebra to 10th caudal vertebra; distal
Distribution: Andaman Islands.
margins of dorsal and anal fins tinged chocolate-
brown in preservation. Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
Distribution: West coast of India, probably Pakistan IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
coast. Remarks: Although the status of this species is
Habit and Habitat: Marine; benthopelagic. valid as Oligolepis talwari in CofF ver. August 2012
(Eschmeyer, 2012), due to presence of tentacle over
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
eye, a character which never present in Oligolepis, the
463. Oligolepis dasi (Talwar, Chatterjee & original combination is retained here.
Dev Roy, 1982)
466. Parapocryptes rictuosus (Valenciennes, 1837)
1982. Oxyurichthys dasi Talwar, Chatterjee & Dev
1837. Apocryptes rictuosus Valenciennes, in Cuvier &
Roy, Rec. zool. Surv. India, 79(3–4): 483, Fig. 1 (type
Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., 12: 151 (type locality:
locality: Sippighat, South Andaman Island, Andaman
Mouth of River of Arian, Puducherry, India).
Islands.
Common Name: None.
Common Name: None.
Diagnosis: A species of Parapocryptes having
Diagnosis: A species of Oligolepis having 2–3 rows of
maxilla extending well beyond hind edge of eye;
teeth in upper jaw; 39–40 scales in longitudinal series;
23–26 rays in 2nd dorsal fin; dorsal fins close
no fleshy knob or tentacle over eye; caudal fin longer
together; depth of body 10–12 times in SL; about 75
than head; a dark vertical band below eye.
scales in longitudinal series; inner side of mouth with
Distribution: Andaman Islands. dark spots; ill-defined dark oblique bands from back
to halfway the flanks.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
Distribution: East coast of India.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; brackish; demersal.
464. Oxyurichthys paulae Pezold, 1998
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
1998. Oxyurichthys paulae Pezold, Copeia, 1998
(3):689, Fig. 3 (type locality: Off Cochin, India, depth 467. Scartelaos cantoris (Day, 1871)
34–38 meters).
1871. Apocryptes cantoris Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. London,
Common Name: None. 1870 (3): 693 [17] (type locality: Andaman Islands).
Diagnosis: A species of Oxyurichthys having a short, Common Name: None.
flap-like tentacle over eye; 43–50 scales on lateral
Diagnosis: A species of Sartelaos having a series of
line; no crest over nape; scales mostly ctenoid; 24–26
short barbels along lower edge of mandibles; last ray of
pectoral fin rays; upper lip constricted at premaxillary
dorsal fin not connected with caudal fin by membrane;
symphysis; 4 broad indistinct bars on sides.
body depth 8–9 times in total length; 2nd dorsal fin
Distribution: Cochin, Kerala. with horizontal lines posteriorly.
Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal. Distribution: Andaman Islands.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed. Habit and Habitat: Marine; demersal.
465. Oxyurichthys talwari (Mehta, Kamala Devi & IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
Mehta 1989)
468. Sicyopterus griseus (Day, 1877)
1989. Oxyurichthys talwari Mehta, Kamala Devi
1877. Sicydium griseum Day, J. Linn. Soc. London, Zool.,
& Mehta, J. Andaman Sci. Assoc., 5(1): 23, Fig. 1
13(67): 140 (type locality: South Canara, India).
(type locality: Port Mount, South Andaman Island,
Andaman Islands). Common Name: None.
Common Name: None. Diagnosis: A species of Sicyopterus having lower
margin of upper lip with short papillae; 25 predorsal
232 ENDEMIC ANIMALS OF INDIA
Diagnosis: A file fish with rudiment pelvic fin, movably rivers, Kerala, Cochin District, India).
articulated with the pelvis; all scales on the anterior one-
Common Name: Dwarf Malabar Puffer.
quarter of the body very small, each possessing posteriorly
curved spinules arranged in a transverse line, scales on the Diagnosis: A pufferfish having nasal organ elevated,
posterior three-quarters much larger, particularly those short, rounded tube with a terminal opening;
midlaterally, each supporting a single, elongate spinule; both sexes with a pattern of black patches as in C.
moderately deep body with interdorsal space prominently travancoricus; females with many additional tiny
concave in lateral profile, moderately large pelvic fin spots; fewer number of spines over body; males with
rudiment with a prominent space ventrally between the pale spots and females with numerous tiny black
encasing scales, anterior portion of soft dorsal fin elevated spots between large spots.
in the male; soft dorsal and anal fin rays 25–28, pectoral fin Distribution: Kerala, probably Karnataka.
rays 10–11.
Habit and Habitat: Presumably found in mid- and
Distribution: Gulf of Mannar, southeastern India. lowland reaches of rivers and known to have collected
Habit and Habitat: Inhabits shallow weedy bottoms; from a shallow, gravelly stream.
coastal marine; demersal. IUCN Status: Data Deficient.
IUCN Status: Not Assessed.
482. Carinotetraodon travancoricus (Hora
& Nair, 1941)
Family: TETRAODONTIDAE
1941. Tetraodon (Monotretus) travancoricus Hora
480. Arothron leopardus (Day, 1878) & Nair, Rec. Indian Mus., 43(3): 391, Figs. 3–4
1878. Tetrodon leopardus Day, Fishes of India, (4): 706, Pl. (type locality: Rambha [Pamba] River, central
180 (fig. 2) (type locality: India). Travancore, Kerala, India).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are greatful to Dr. K. Venkataraman, Director, Dr. Ch. Bassudha, ICAR, Manipur Centre and Dr.
Zoological Survey of India, for providing the facilities Lalramliana, Asst. Professor, PU College, Mizoram
and encouragements to prepare this document. We University and Dr. Sreekant Jadhav, WRC, Pune for
would like to thank Dr. Animesh Bal, Additional providing some photographs of fishes and to Miss
Director and Dr. J.K. De, Scientist ‘D’ (Retd.) of Munmun Chakrabarty and Miss Asha Kiran Tudu of
Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for for their Feshwater Fish Section of Zoological Survey of India,
valuable supports and encouragements. We are also Kolkata for helping us while prepairing the manuscript.
thankful to Prof. W. Vishwanath, Manipur University,
Mishra et al.: Pisces 235
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