Family Ranixalidae Phylum Chordata Rank Genus | Superfamily Ranoidea Scientific name Indirana Higher classification True frog Order Frog | |
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Lower classifications Indirana beddomii, Indirana gundia, Indirana phrynoderma, Indirana semipalmata, Indirana leithii | ||
Indirana leithii
Indirana is a genus of frogs, the sole member of the Ranixalidae family. These frogs are endemic to the Western Ghats of India. They are sometimes known under the common name Indian frogs, whereas the family may go under the name leaping frogs.
Contents
Indirana represent an ancient radiation of frogs that diverged from all other frogs almost 50 million years ago. This has credited Indirana gundia as a status of one of the "Top 100 Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered Amphibians".
Description
Indirana species are small and slender-bodied frogs. They are typically found in leaf litter or near streams. The tadpoles have hind limbs and finless tails, and are able to leap away to escape threats.
Taxonomy
The taxonomical position of the Ranixalidae, with Indirana as the only genus, is now well established, but this has not always been the case. Traditional classifications place it within the subfamily Ranixalinae of the family Ranidae, along with the genera Nannophrys and Nyctibatrachus. The Ranixalinae have also been placed under the Nyctibatrachidae family. Darrel R. Frost et al. (2006) placed them within the family Petropedetidae.
Species
New species are still being discovered: Indirana salelkari was discovered in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian state of Goa and described in late July 2015. Species included in the genus are:
