Review of the Current Diversity and Richness of Amphibians of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Gujarat State is one of the dry states of India. Amphibian fauna of the state has 20 species belonging to 2 orders; 5 families and 13 genera including a species of Caecilian and 19 species of frogs and toads. In overview of amphibian species richness and diversity in sanctuaries and NPs of the state has been discussed in the present paper. Eight species of frogs and toads viz. Duttaphrynus (=Bufo) melanostictus, B. stomaticus, Microhyla ornate, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, E. hexadactylus, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Fejervarya limnocharis and Sphaerotheca breviceps are evenly distributed in the entire state. High diversity of amphibians is recorded at Vansda National Park and Purna Wildlife Sanctuary of South Gujarat with 17 and 18 species respectively while low diversity was recorded at Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary. Various aspects of state amphibian fauna still remain unaddressed which needs to be explored scientifically to assess the importance of amphibian fauna.