https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Ghatixalus_asteropsGhatixalus asterops - Revision history2026-10-21T01:46:01ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ghatixalus_asterops&diff=500374&oldid=prevRonAgnew292842: post2025-12-18T04:14:26Z<p>post</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}<br />
{{Speciesbox<br />
| image = Ghatixalus asterops.jpg<br />
| status = NT<br />
| status_system = IUCN3.1<br />
| status_ref =<ref name=IUCN/><br />
| taxon = Ghatixalus asterops<br />
| authority = Biju, Roelants, and Bossuyt, 2008 <br />
| range_map =<br />
| synonyms =<br />
| synonyms_ref =<br />
}}<br />
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'''''Ghatixalus asterops''''', the '''Ghat tree frog''' or '''starry-eyed Ghat tree frog''', is a species of frog in the subfamily [[Rhacophorinae]]. It is endemic to [[India]]'s Western Ghat mountains, specifically the [[Palani Hills]] and south of the Palghat Gaps.<ref name=AMNH>{{BioRef|ASW6<br />
|title=''Gracixalus asterops'' Biju, Roelants, and Bossuyt, 2008 <br />
|url=https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/Amphibia/Anura/Rhacophoridae/Rhacophorinae/Ghatixalus/Ghatixalus-asterops<br />
|access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Amph>{{BioRef|amphibiaweb<br />
|title=''Ghatixalus asterops'' Biju, Roelants, & Bossuyt, 2008 <br />
|author1= Jesse Lou <br />
|editor1= Kellie Whittaker <br />
|editor2=<br />
|date=February 12, 2009<br />
|language=<br />
|url=https://amphibiaweb.org/species/7266<br />
|access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name=IUCN>{{cite IUCN<br />
|title= Ghat Tree Frog: ''Ghatixalus variabilis''<br />
|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161754/166114107<br />
|article-number=e.T161754A166114107<br />
|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T161754A166114107.en<br />
|id=161754<br />
|year=2023<br />
|author1=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group<br />
|access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref><br />
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==Appearance==<br />
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The adult male frog measures about 38.8&nbsp;mm – 44.8&nbsp;mm in [[snout-vent length]] and a single adult female specimen 58.1&nbsp;mm. Adult frogs can vary in color between individuals. The skin of the dorsum can be dark gray or light gray in color with brown marks or it can be yellow-brown in color with red marks. The skin near the tympanum, which is readily visible, is light gray with brown spots. The sides of the body are yellow with some brown color. The four feet are light blue-white with blue-brown marks on the webbed skin. The upper hind legs are blue-brown in color. The iris of the eye is brown in color with thick gold lines in a shape resembling a star. There is also a gold circle around the outside of the iris. Juvenile frogs can be light green or light brown in color. Adults are never green in color.<ref name=Amph /><br />
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==Habitat==<br />
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People have observed this frog in disturbed [[shola]] forest habitats high in the hills. People have seen it in the [[leaf litter|dead leaves on the ground]]. These frogs spend more time near ephemeral streams than near permanent streams. People have also observed it on tea farms. This frog stays between 1300 and 2000 meters above sea level.<ref name=IUCN /> This frog is terrestrial, not arboreal like other Rhacophoridae. When disturbed, this frog will hide in the water for several minutes.<ref name=Amph /><br />
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==Life cycle==<br />
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The female frog makes a nest out of foam on rocks in the stream, on the sides of the stream, or sometimes on tree trunks near the stream. The eggs hatch into [[tadpoles]] that live in rocky streams with briskly flowing water. The tadpoles have substantial oral suckers that they use to anchor themselves in the current.<ref name=Amph /><ref name=DesGmag>{{cite journal|year=2015|last1=Abraham |first1=Robin Kurian |last2=Mathew |first2=Jobin K. |last3=Cyriac |first3=Vivek Philip |last4=Zachariah |first4=Arun |last5=Raju |first5=David V. |last6=Zachariah |first6=Anil |title=A novel third species of the Western Ghats endemic genus ''Ghatixalus'' (Anura: Rhacophoridae), with description of its tadpole. |journal=Zootaxa |volume=4048| issue=1 |pages=101–113|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4048.1.6|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284458655 |pmid= 26624739 }}</ref><br />
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==Threats==<br />
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Scientists believe this frog is in limited danger of dying out because it lives in such a small place. Scientists cite climate change and habitat fragmentation as threats to this frog.<ref name=IUCN /><ref name=Amph /><br />
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==Taxonomy==<br />
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Scientists classify this frog is sister species to ''Ghatixalus variabilis''.<ref name=Des>{{cite journal|author1= Biju SD |author2=Roelants K |author3=Bossuyt F |year=2008 |title=Phylogenetic position of the montane treefrog Polypedates variabilis Jerdon, 1853 (Anura: Rhacophoridae), and description of a related species. |journal=Organisms Diversity & Evolution |volume=8|pages=267–276|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242221997_Phylogenetic_position_of_the_montane_treefrog_Polypedates_variabilis_Jerdon_1853_Anura_Rhacophoridae_and_description_of_a_related_species|access-date=April 18, 2024|doi=10.1016/j.ode.2007.11.004|type=Abstract}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q6466089}}<br />
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[[Category:Frogs of Asia]]<br />
[[Category:Endemic amphibians of India]]<br />
[[Category:Amphibians described in 2008]]<br />
[[Category:Ghatixalus|asterops]]<br />
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{{Rhacophoridae-stub}}</div>RonAgnew292842