Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus, also known as Anaimalai flying frog, false Malabar gliding frog,[2] and false Malabar tree frog,[3] is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Anaimalai Hills, a part of the southern the Western Ghats in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states, India.[2]
Adult males measure 47–54 mm (1.9–2.1 in) and adult females 66–72 mm (2.6–2.8 in) in snout–vent length.[4] The eyes are protruding. The supra-tympanic fold is distinct.[3] The fingers and toes are extensively webbed; the webbing is light yellow. Juveniles have distinctive black zebra-like pattern that becomes fainter in adults, resembling venation of leaf; the background colour is green.[4]
Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus has been recorded in tropical moist evergreen forest,[5] in secondary forests on the fringe of abandoned cardamom plantation, in a marshy area beside a perennial stream outside a cardamom plantation,[4] and near an artificial water hole between the evergreen forest and tea plantation.[3] Specimens have been recorded both in lower canopy and understorey vegetation and on the ground.[5][3][4] Its elevational range is 955–1,430 m (3,133–4,692 ft) above sea level.[4] Reproduction takes place on vegetation overhanging marshy areas, ponds, and streams.[5][4]
This species is known from at least two protected areas, Indira Gandhi National Park[1] and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.[3] Outside the protected areas, it is threatened by habitat loss caused by conversion of forests to other uses as well as by timber extraction.[5]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus, also known as Anaimalai flying frog, false Malabar gliding frog, and false Malabar tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is endemic to the Anaimalai Hills, a part of the southern the Western Ghats in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states, India.
