A Preliminary Checklist of Amphibians in and around the Myristica swamp forests of Kulathupuzha, South Western Ghats

Abstract

The Myristica swamps are famed for its charismatic and archaic vegetation but studies documenting the animal wealth of these swamps were almost negligible. In this study we list the amphibians recorded between Nov 2004 to March 2008 from the Myristica swamp forests of Southern Kerala and adjoining forests. We documented the presence of 56 species of amphibians belonging to 15 genera and five families. Maximum number of species was recorded from Kulathupuzha Forest Range (50) followed by Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (43). Anchal Range had the least number of species (15). Similarity indices indicate high species turnover between the swamps and the adjacent areas. Twenty species were endemic to the Western Ghats and one each were endemic to Kerala and India. The loss of these forests will be detrimental to the amphibian population and ecological balance of the region.