Variable bush frog
Raorchestes akroparallagi (sometimes known as the variable bush frog) is a species of frogs in the family Rhacophoridae.
It is endemic to the Western Ghats, India, where it is known from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Before its description in 2009, it was confused with Raorchestes femoralis and Raorchestes glandulosus.
Te
TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Jumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
R
starts withMale Raorchestes akroparallagi are small, 19–22.5 mm (0.75–0.89 in) in snout-vent length, whereas females are larger, 26–27 mm (1.0–1.1 in) long. It is one of predominantly green Raorchestes. However, the colouration of its dorsum (back) is highly variable even within a single location, from almost uniformly green to various colours and markings. Indeed, its specific name, akroparallagi, is derived from Greek words akro, meaning 'extreme' and parallagi, meaning 'variation'.
Raorchestes akroparallagi is relatively widespread and occurs in a wide range of habitats and can live in disturbed habitats. It is found in evergreen forests to plantations near forest fringes and in roadside vegetation. IUCN does not considered it threatened.
Raorchestes akroparallagi has direct development, with all growth inside the egg and no free-swimming tadpole stage. Males attract females with their calls. Mating takes place during the night. A pair in amplexus may move around before settling on a leaf and starting to lay eggs on its upper side. Egg laying takes hours and results in a clutch of 20–41 eggs. Eggs are white, about 4.4 mm (0.17 in) in diameter, and hatch after four weeks as fully developed froglets. There is no parental care.
