Extension of range of distribution of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju & Bossuyt (Amphibia: Anura: Nasikabatrachidae) along Western Ghats, with some insights into its bionomics.

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju & Bossuyt is observed to occur in the forested habitats of the Nilgiri ranges north of Palakkad Gap, indicating its extension of range of distribution from the hitherto known limit south of the Palakkad Gap between 8 and 11°N lat, i.e. Anamalai and Cardamom Hills in the Western Ghats. The adult individual of N. sahyadrensis freshly unearthed from a scooping pit in the habitat was tested for its behavioural tendencies for burrowing in the field and feeding in the laboratory under captive conditions in a glass tank filled with damp soil and prey. Some aspects of bionomics of this fossorial frog focusing on its burrowing and underground foraging behaviours with reference to morphological and ethological characteristics of the taxon are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]