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Morphology and Morphometric Study of Adults and Tadpoles of Nanorana minica (Dubois, 1975) from Uttarakhand and threats to the Species due to Habitat Modification

Author: Archana Bahuguna

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Abstract

Nanorana minica (Dubois, 1975) is a species of frog of family Dicroglossidae. The species is dedicated to Dominique Payen, a colleague of A. Dubois, whose shortened forename was Minique (Lat Dominica- Minica). Since the morphometric details are not available for the species thus based on collection present at Northern Regional Center, Zoological Survey of India, the detailed morphometry and morphology was given in the present study. Web formula was also provided. The species was collected from Gauri Ganga valley, Ratgiri, Madkot Reservoir Site, Musiari, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand on 28th June 1993. Total specimens collected were 18, out of 18, 5 are adults (although short tail was attached) and 13 are tadpoles. The tadpoles of the species are also known to overwinter in the streams. The detailed morphological structure of the tadpoles and morphometry was discussed in the present study. The species is under threat due to check dams and habitat modification.

Keywords

Nanorana minica, Uttarakhand, Morphometry, Morphology

Conclusion

Distribution of Nanorana minica and other species of Nanorana in North Western India need to be studied as the species of the genus are known to be facing threat due to dam construction and climate change. The characteristic features of overwintering is present in the tadpoles of the species and making them unique to adapt to extreme of winters thus need to conserve the species and their habitat. They are useful as indicator of the health of a stream ecosystem. Nature of mountain streams and rivers in Uttarakhand is changing due to dam construction thus there is threat to many aquatic fauna including Nanorana minica. IUCN has now listed the species as Least Concern which was earlier categorized as VU, thus there is need to reassess the species.

References

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How to cite this article

Archana Bahuguna (2025). Morphology and Morphometric Study of Adults and Tadpoles of Nanorana minica (Dubois, 1975) from Uttarakhand and threats to the Species due to Habitat Modification. Biological Forum, 17(2): 30-34.