amphibians and reptiles of nepal amphibians

40 Pages·2013·8.14 MB·English

Tylototriton verrucosus Ichthyophis sikkimensis
Rhacophorus maximus Polypedates maculatus Polypedates taeniatus Raorchestes annandalii
Sphaerotheca breviceps Sphaerotheca maskeyi Sphaerotheca rolandae Nanorana blanfordii
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF NEPAL

AMPHIBIANS

A CHILDREN’S BOOK

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afnk':ts

Published by

ARCO-Nepal reg. soc.
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Published by

ARCO-Nepal e.V. cfsf{] g]kfn O=eL
c/o Edlingerstr. 18 dfkm{t M P8lnª\u]:6/= !*
D-81543 München / Germany 8L—*!%$# Do'lgv÷hd{gL
www.arco-nepal.de www.arco-nepal.de
[email protected] [email protected]

Cover: Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Tylototriton verrucosus cfa/0f M xf]Knf]af6«fs; 6fOlu|g;, 6fOnf]6f]l6«6g e]?sf];;

Cover inside: Tylototriton verrucosus, Ichthyophis sikkimensis, Rhacophorus leqL cfj/0f M 6fOnf]6f]l6«6g e]?sf];;, OSyfof]lkm; l;lSsd]gl;;, ¥ofsf]kmf]/;
maximus, Polypedates maculatus, Polypedates taeniatus, Raorchestes annandalii, DoflS;d;, kf]lnlk8]6; Dofs'n]6;, kf]lnlk8]6; l6lgP6;, /fcf]/r]l:6h cfgGbnL,
Sphaerotheca breviceps, Sphaerotheca maskeyi, Sphaerotheca rolandae, cfgGbn; a'; k|mu, :km]/f]lysf a|]le;]k;, km]/f]lysf df:s]oL, :km]/f]lysf /f]NofG8L,
Nanorana blanfordii, gfgf]/fgf Anfg8kmf]8L{,
Back cover: Nanorana liebigii, Nanorana minica, Fejervarya teraiensis, kl5Nnf] cfj/0f M gfgf]/fgf lnlauL, gfgf]/fgf ldlgsf, km]h/efl/of t/fOlG;;,
Hylarana nigrovittata, Hylarana taipehensis, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, xfOnf/fgf lgu|f]le6f6f, xfOnf /fgf 6fOk]x]lG;;, 6fOk]lx k|mu, /fgf lgu|f]le6f6f, fgf
Hoplobatrachus crassus, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Amolops formosus, Amolops 6fOk]x]lG;;, o'lˆnlS6; ;fOgf]lˆnlS6;, xf]Knf]af6«fs; qmf;;, xf]Knf]af6«fs;
marmoratus, Amolops monticala, Kaloula taprobanica,
6fOlu|g;, Pdf]nK; kmdf{];;, Pdf]nf]K; dfdf{]/]6;, Pdf]nf]K; dlG6sf]nf, snf}nf
Back cover inside: Uperodon globulosus, Uperodon systomus, Microhyla 6fk|f]aflgsf,
ornata, Xenophrys parva, Xenophrys robusta, Duttaphrynus himalayanus, kl5Nnf] leqL cfj/0f M pk]/f]8g Unf]a'nf];;, pk]/f]8g l;:6f]d;, dfOqmf]xfOnf cf]gf{6f,
Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Duttaphrynus stomaticus. h]gf]lk|m; kef{, h]gf]lk|m; /f]a':6f, ald{h :k]8km'6 6f]8, d]uf]lk|m; /f]a':6f, bQflk|mg;]
lxdfnofg;, bQflk|mg;] d]nfgf]l:6s6;, bQflk|mg;] :6f]dfl6s; .

Editor: Prof. Dr. H. H. Schleich
;Dkfbs M k|f]= 8f= Pr=Pr= :NofOv

ISBN 978-3-9814938-3-2 cfOP;laPg 978-3-9814938-3-2

© Fotos: H. Schleich; K.Rai (Ichthyophis, Rhacophorus) kmf]6f]x¿ M Pr= xd{g :NofOv
© Text: Anders, C., W. Kästle & H. H. Schleich cfn]v M cfG8;{, ;L=8An'=Vof:n]=tyf Pr=Pr=:NofOv
© Nepali text: K. Rai
g]kfnL cg'jfb M s]= /fO{
© Illustrations: Arco-Nepal reg.soc.
/]vfª\sg M cfsf{] g]kfn /lh= ;f];f=
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF NEPAL

AMPHIBIANS

A CHILDREN’S BOOK

g]kfnsf peor/x¿
afnk':ts

H. Hermann Schleich & Kaluram Rai
xd{g :NofOv tyf sfn'/fd /fO{

Published by ARCO-Nepal reg. soc.
2012

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Amphibians
Class: AMPHIBIA

Amphibians, Nepali: Ubhayachar
Amphibians are vertebrates with four limbs possessing hands with four, feet with 5 clawless (in Nepalese species!) digits with the
exception of the limbless caecilian; skin with many glands, smooth and slimy, in toads covered with warts.

Reproduction: With the exception of the Sikkimese caecilian no Nepalese amphibian has a male copulatory organ. In frogs and toads
fertilization is external, in the Himalayan newt internal.

Systematics: With about 50 species, the largest group of Nepalese amphibians are the frogs and toads (Order Anura, tailless
amphibians), while salamanders and caecilians (Orders Caudata and Gymnophiona) are represented by only one species each.
Salamanders are widely distributed on the Northern hemisphere while caecilians live in the tropics and subtropics of the Americas,
Africa and Asia.

Order: CAUDATA - Tailed amphibians, Salamanders, Nepali: Puchre ubhayachar

With an elongate body, four limbs of about equal length and a long tail. Their general shape reminds of a lizard. But salamanders have
no horny scales, no claws and only four fingers.

Family: Salamandridae

Reproduction: During courtship - which in the Nepalese Himalayan newt takes place in the water - the male deposits a small gelatinous
“sperm carrier” (spermatophore) on the ground from which the female collects the spermatozoans into her cloaca. Fertilisation is
internal. The only Nepalese species of this group, the Himalayan salamander, deposits eggs into the water. Other species give birth to
larvae, others again are viviparous.
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Order: ANURA – Tailless amphibians, Frogs and toads, Nepali: Linde ubhayachar, Bhyagutoharu

Commonly, species with a smooth skin are called frogs, those with a warty skin toads, but similar skin cover is not at all a sign for close
biological relationship. Their vocalisation is specific and plays an enormous role in their mating behaviour. Males often have vocal sacs
as resonators. Frog calls betray many species during the mating period in monsoon. They allow to distinguish species and to localize the
calling male.

Family: Bufonidae: Stocky body, short limbs, head broad, skin rough, warty and dry. Jaws toothless, Glands well developed.
Family: Dicroglossidae: Forked-tongued frogs
Family: Megophryidae: Body toad-like without parotoid glands or unlike toads, pupil vertical, snout tip above mouth.
Family: Microhylidae: Tongue circular-oval shaped, upper jaw toothless. Head small with narrow mouth. 1st finger shorter than 2nd.
Family: Ranidae: Typical frogs with unclear phylogenetic relations.
Family: Rhacophoridae: Treefrogs living in arboreal habitats with large adhesive digital pads, and maxillary teeth.

Reproduction: Males of many species develop horny skin structures on fingers, arms or venter (nuptial ecrescences) to facilitate
copulation. Breeding waters are more or less specific, and enormous numbers of tadpoles may develop from the eggs which in some
species are laid by thousands. The only frog which probably lacks tadpoles, but hatches from the egg as a fully developed tiny froglet
is Annandale’s bush frog (Raorchestes annandalii).

Order: GYMNOPHIONA - Caecilians, Nepali: Gymnoph

Family: Ichthyophiidae

This group comprises fossorial, highly specialised amphibians which at the first glance look like large earthworms. Another peculiar
trait are tentacles between nares and eyes. Caecilians are limbless, their eyes are covered with translucent skin and their moist skin is
annulated. The members of this family dig tunnel systems in moist soil and rarely appear above the ground, eventually during heavy
rains.

Reproduction: Males have an eversible copulatory organ and fertilization is internal. Females lay relatively large eggs and show
pronounced brood care. After hatching the larvae migrate to the open water, in several species assisted by their mother.
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peor/x¿ eGgfn] xftdf rf/ / kfpsf] kfFrcf]6f gªljxLg cf}+nf ePsf d]?b08Lo rf}kfof eGg] a'lemG5 . t/ -ljz]if u/L g]kfndf_ l;l;lnog -cGwf g]=_
xftkfpljxLg x'G5g\ h;sf] 5fnf ljleGg u|GyLx¿n] 9fs]sf] x'Fbf lrNnf] / lrKnf] x'G5, v;|]x¿sf] 5fnf eg] sfF8fn] 9fSg] x'Fbf v;|f] x'G5 .

k|hggM l;lSsd] l;l;lnogdf afx]s g]kfndf kfOg] s'g} klg peor/sf k|hfltsf] efn] k|hgg cª\u x'Fb}g . Eofu'tf / v;|]sf] afXo uef{wfg k|lqmof x'G5, lxdfnL kfgL
uf]xf]/f]sf] cfGtl/s k|lqmofåf/f uef{wfg x'G5 .

juL{s/0f M g]kfndf peor/sf sl/a %) k|hflt 5g\ h;df ;a} eGbf 7'nf] ;d"x Eofu'tf / v;|] -c8{/ M cg'/f, k'R5/ljxLg peor/x¿_ k5{g\ eg] ;fnfdfG8/ -k'R5«]
peor/_ / l;l;lnog -c8{/ M sfp8f6f / lhDgf]lkmcf]gf_ x¿sf] PsPs cf]6f dfq k|hflt 5g\ . ;fnfdfG8/x¿ pQ/L uf]nf4{df k|Zf:t kfOG5g\ eg] l;l;lnogx¿
cd]l/sf, clk|msf / Pl;ofsf] pi0f / pkf]i0f k|b]zlt/ kfOG5g\ .

c8{/ M sfp8f6f— 6]N8 PlDkmlaog, ;fnfDofG8;{, g]kfnL M k'R5]« peor/x¿
o; ;d"xsf] nfDrf] z/L/, Psgf;sf rf/ kfp / nfdf] k'R5/ x'G5 . logLx¿sf] z/L/sf] ¿k 5]kf/f;Fu ldNbf]h'Nbf] x'G5 . t/ ;fnfdfG8/sf] sfF8] 5fnf / cf}+nfsf
gª x'Fb}gg\ ;fy} o;sf rf/ cf}+nf dfq x'G5g\ .

ˆofldnL M ;fnfdflG8«8L

k|hgg M g]kfndf kfOg] kfgL uf]xf]/f]sf] k|hgglqmof kfgLdf x'G5 . o;sf] efn]n] cfˆgf] z'qmsL6x¿nfO{ ;fgf] kftnf] lemNnL ePsf] y}nf] -jLo{bfgL_ df kf/L e'OFdf /fV5
h;nfO{ kf]yLn] p7fP/ dnåf/df 6fF;]/ af]S5 . o'/f]k]nL ;fnfdfG8/sf] lgz]rg cfGtl/s x'G5 . t/ g]kfnsf] lxdfnL ;fnfdfG8/n] eg] kfgLdf km'n kfg{] u5{ . o;sf
cGo k|hfltx¿n] eg] l;w} r]kfufF8f hGdfpg] u5{g\, afFsL c? s]xL k|hfltx¿ eg] ue{af6 g} aRrf hGdfpg] u5{g\ .

c8{/ M cfg'/f — 6]nn]; PlDkmljog;, k|mu PG8 6f]8;, g]kfnL M lnF8] peor/, Eofu'tf / v;|]x¿
;fwf/0ftof lrNnf] 5fnf ePsf] k|hfltnfO{ Eofu'tf / v;|f] sfF9] 5fnf ePsf]nfO{ v;|] elgG5 t/ o:tf] 5fnfn] 9flsg' dfq hLjj}1flgs klxrfgsf] cfwf/ xf]Og .
logLx¿sf] ljz]if vfnsf] cfjfhn] k|hggsfnsf] nflu 7'nf] e"ldsf v]N5 . efn]x¿sf] 3fF6Ldf cfjfhnfO{ k|ltWjlgt ug{] Wjlgy}nf] x'G5 . avf{sf] ofddf x'g]
k|hggsfndf Eofu'tfsf] :j/n] w]/} k|hfltx¿nfO{ e'mSofpg ;S5 . o;n] ubf{ x/]s k|hfltsf] efn]sf] :j/n] kf]yLnfO{ efn] vf]h]/ e]6\6fp d2t k'U5 .

4
ˆofldnL M a'kmf]lg8L M o;sf] df]6f] z/L/, 5f]6f] xftkfp, 6fpsf] rf}8f, v;|f] 5fnf / sfF8fsfF8f ePsf] ;'Vvf 5fnf x'G5 . o;sf] Rofk'df bfFt x'Fb}gg\ eg] u|GyLx¿ eg]
kof{Kt ljsl;t ePsf x'G5g\ .

ˆofldnL M d]uf]lk|m8L M o;sf] z/L/ v;|]sf] h:tf] Kof/f]6f]O6 u|GyL ePsf] jf gePsf] klg x'g ;S5 . cfFvfsf] k'tnL 7f8f] x'G5, y't'gf]sf] 6'Kkf] tnlt/ kmls{Psf]= x'G5 .

ˆofldnL M dfOqmf]xfOln8L M o;sf] lha|f] cG8fsf/ h:tf] uf]nf] x'G5, dflyNnf] Rofk'df bfFt x'Fb}gg\ . 6fpsf] ;fgf] / d'v ;fFu'/f] x'G5 . xftsf] klxnf] cf}nf bf];|f] eGbf
5f]6f] x'G5 .

ˆofldnL M ¥oflg8L M o; kl/jf/df lha|f]sf] 6'Kkf] b'O{ efudf afFl8Psf] Eofu'tfx¿ k5{g\ .

ˆofldnL M ¥ofsf]kmf]l/8L M of] ?vdf jf;:yfg x'g] ?v Eofu'tfsf] ;d"x xf] . logLx¿sf cf}+nfx¿df 6fl;Fg ;Sg] 7'nf 6f]k|fx¿ x'G5g\ / luhfdf luh]bfFt klg x'G5g\ .

k|hgg M w]/} k|hfltx¿sf efn]sf] k|hggsfndf cf}+nf, kfv'/f jf 5ftLlt/ s8f vfnsf 7]nf jf sfF8f h:tf cª\u aGb5g\ . -o:tf cª\un] k|hggsfo{df kf]yLsf] lk7\o"Fdf
;dfTg efn]nfO{ d2t k'U5_ . k|hgg ul/g] 7fpFsf] kfgLsf ;|f]tx¿df km'n kfg{] u5{g\ / c;+Vo r]kfufF8fx¿ km'naf6 lg:sG5g\ . s'g}s'g} k|hfltn] eg] xhf/f}+ km'n
kfbf{ klg r]fkfufF8fx¿ yf]/} dfq x'G5g\ . o;} u/L s'g}s'g} Eofu'tfsf km'naf6 r]kfufF8f geO{ ;f]em} ;fgf Eofu'tfsf] ¿kdf klg lg:sG5g\ h'g rfflxF …cfgGbn]sf]
‰of;] Eofu'tfÚ -l6l/ª kfxf— g]=_ -lkmnfp6; cfgGbnL_ df kfOG5 .

c8{/ M lhDgf]lkmof]gf— l;l;lnog, g]kfnL M xftkfpljxLg peor/x¿

ˆofldnL M OSyfof]lk8L
of] 7'nf] uF8\of}nf h:tf] b]lvg] ;fy} b'nf]df a:g] Ps ljz]if lsl;dsf] peor/sf] kl/jf/ xf] . o;sf] csf{] ljz]iftf eg]sf] gfs / cfFvfsf] dfemdf r]tgzLn h'Fuf
x'g' xf] . l;l;lnogx¿ xftkfpljxLg x'G5g\, logsf cfFvf c4{kf/bzL{ cfj/0fn] 9flsPsf] ;fy} z/L/ dl;gf cf}+7L h:Tff v08v08 ePsf lrNNff 5fnfn] 9flsPsf]
x'G5 . o; k|hfltn] g/d df6f]df b'nf] vg]/ a:g] ePsf]n] aflx/ hldgdfly sd} b]lvG5 t/ slxn]sfxL+ jiff{df eg] aflx/ b]lvG5 .

k|hgg M o;sf] efn]sf] leqaflx/ lg:sg ;Sg] k|hgg c+u x'G5, h;n] ubf{ cfGtl/s uef{wfg x'G5 . t'ngfTds ¿kdf kf]yLn] 7'nf] k'mn kf/]/ cf]yg{] u5{ . ;fdfGotof
aRrf sf9]kl5 o;sf r]kfufF8fx¿ cfkm}+ kfgLdf hfG5g\ t/ s]xL k|hfltdf ltgLx¿nfO{ kfgLdf hfg dfpn] u5{g\ .

5
OSyfof]lkm; l;lSsd]gl;;, l;lSsldh l;l;lnog
Ichthyophis sikkimensis, Sikkimese caecilian

dflylt/
above

Nepali names: Ganeule sap g]kfnL gfdM uF8]pn] ;fk

of] s:tf] b]lvG5 <M o;sf] y't'gfb]lv dnåf/;Ddsf] clwstd nDafO @&^ ld=ld= ;Dd
How it looks: Maximum snout-vent length: 276 mm. Coloration
x'G5 . o;sf] z/L/ gLnf]gLnf] / s}nf] x'G5 . e'F8Llt/ eg] xNsf ;]tf] x'G5 . o;sf
bluish grey, ventrally somewhat lighter, the tentacles whitish.
r]tgzLn h'Fufx¿ ;]tf ;]tf x'G5g\ .
Where it lives: Adults are terrestrial, living in moist substrate
of] sxfF a:5 <M o;sf joisx¿ e'OFdf a:5g\, of] cf]l;nf] 7fpF, lxnf], ;8\b} u/]sf
as mud, leaf litter or rotting wood. kTs/x¿ / dlSsb} u/]sf sf7x¿df a:g] u5{ .
Distribution in Nepal: Only recently discovered at Ilam District. g]kfndf o;sf] km}nfj6M of] clxn];Dddf Onfd lhNnfdf dfq kfOPsf] 5 .

Tylototriton verrucosus, Himalayan newt 6fOnf]6f]l6«6g e]?sf];;, lxdfno Go'6

below tnlt/
Nepali names: Panigohoro, Thakthake g]kfnL gfdM kfgL uf]xf]/f], 7S7s], r'n];]

How it looks: Max. length: 105 + tail 95 mm. Body slender, head of] s:tf] b]lvG5 <M o;sf] y't'gfb]lv dnåf/;Ddsf] clwstd nDafO !)% / k'R5/ (%
ld=ld= ;Ddsf] x'G5 . o;sf] z/L/ nfDrf], 6fpsf] lgs} RofK6f] / k'R5/ pFef]lt/ wf/
much flattened and tail is compressed laterally. Colour uniform
k/]sf] RofK6f] x'G5 . o;sf] z/L/ Psgf;sf] v}/f] / k'R5/ s]xL xNsf ;]tf] x'G5 .
brown, tail and palms somewhat lighter.

Where it lives: After the reproductive phase from late summer of] sxfF a:5 <M u|Lidsf] cGtlt/ k|hggsfnkl5 of] e'OFsf] 9'ª\uf, afSnf] 3F;]p6f /
sf7sf d'9fx¿d'lg n's]/ a:5 .
onwards, it is terrestrial and hides under stones, bushes or logs.

How it lives: crepuscular and nocturnal, except the reproductive of] s;/L afFFR5 <M of] laxfgL / a]n'sLkv ;lqmo x'g] lgzfr/ -/flt ;lqmo x'g]_ k|f0fL
xf], t/ k|hggsfndf eg] of] lbgr/ -lbp;f] ;lqmo x'g]_ x'G5 . dg;'gsf] klxnf]
period when the newt becomes diurnal. During the reproductive
jiff{sf] a]nf ;'? x'g] k|hggsfndf of] hnr/ -kfgLleq a:g]_ x'G5 / of] kf]v/L,
period, with the first heavy monsoon showers, it becomes aquatic
vfN8fv'N8L tyf kfgLsf 6\ofª\sLlt/ klg a:g] u5{ .
and lives in ponds, puddles and tanks.

Reproduction: Immigrates waters to breed in April / May and k|hggM of] clk|n d]lt/ uef{wfgsf nflu hldgaf6 kfgLdf hfG5 / uef{wfgkl5
h'gh'nfO{lt/ cG8fkfl/;s]/ hldgdf kms{G5 .
leaves them after courtship and egg laying in June / July.
g]kfndf o;sf] km}nfj6 M of] ;'b"/k"j{sf] !#)) b]lv @!%) ld= prfO;Dd km}lnPsf] 5 .
Distribution in Nepal: Only in the East at altitude 1,300 – 2,150 m.
/ jf;:yfg gi6 x'gfn] / o;sf] jf;:yfgdf df5fkfng ugf{n] z+s6df k/]sf] 5 .
Threatened by introduced fish and habitat destruction.

6