Herpetofauna Survey in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

In September 2024, a herpetofauna survey in the buffer forests of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), now known as the MTR Masinagudi Division, unveiled a significant diversity of reptiles and amphibians, including several species potentially new to science.

Key Points

Comprehensive Survey Conducted: The herpetofauna survey covered a range of habitats at altitudes between 300 and 2,000 meters above sea level, identifying a total of 33 reptile species and 36 amphibian species, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
Potential New Species Identified: Among the findings were four candidate species that may be new to science, including two geckos from the Cnemaspis and Hemidactylus genera, a skink, and a frog from the Sphaerotheca genus, all requiring further taxonomic and molecular studies for formal description.
Documentation of Endangered Species: The survey also documented critically endangered species such as Micrixalus spelunca, known as the cave dancing frog, and Nyctibatrachus indraneili, or Indraneil’s night frog, along with other endangered and endemic reptiles and amphibians.
Rare Snakes Recorded: Rare snake species including the striped coral snake (Calliophis nigrescens), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and Nilgiri burrowing snake (Plectrurus perrotetii) were also recorded during the survey, highlighting the area's ecological significance.