Confusing Green Bush Frog found in Shola forests

CHIKMAGALUR: Zoological scientists published a report on the prevalence of an endangered species — Confusing Green Bush Frog, which is known in biological terms   as Raorchestes Chromasynchysi, in the Shola forest patches of Kemmanugundi parts of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur district in the 2010 issue of the Records of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata.

One of the scientists Dr K P Dinesh of the Zoological Survey of India, Calicut, is from Chikmagalur, while the other scientist is Dr K V Gururaja of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.  

Current studies reveal that this species is confined to hill ranges surrounding Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala. They are not found in any other part of the world.

In Red List

According to the scientists, this species is considered endangered as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The females weigh around 35 mm and are green, while the males are light brown with an X-shaped marking on their body. They are known to change colour frequently in response to seasons and background.

 These colour changing capabilities help them hide between leaves and twigs. These species are known to be active during monsoon and winter. In summer, they are seen resting below small rocks and pebbles of perennial streams