Specie in news: Charles Darwin’s Frog

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The Charles Darwin frog, a species native to the Andaman Islands, is exhibiting unusual mating and egg-laying behaviors.

Charles Darwin’s frog, scientifically known as Minervarya charlesdarwini, is a frog species endemic to the Andaman Islands.
This species is named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin.
It belongs to the family Dicroglossidae, a large group of Asian frogs with over 220 species.
Detailed morphological descriptions and specific physical characteristics are still being studied.
The species is listed as VULNERABLE on the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List.

The frog species engages in upside-down mating and egg-laying behavior.
The frogs increasingly use artificial objects, such as plastic sapling bags and discarded containers, as breeding sites.
This shift is likely a response to habitat loss and fragmentation, forcing the frogs to adapt to rapidly changing environments.

[2020] With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:

(a) Birds
(b) Primates
(c) Reptiles
(d) Amphibians

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