title: Integrative Taxonomic Approach for Describing a New Cryptic Species of Bush Frog (Raorchestes: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western Ghats, India.
abstract: A new cryptic species of bush frog Raorchestes honnametti sp. nov. is described from the south-eastern part of the Western Ghats, India. This newly described species belongs to the Charius clade and is morphologically similar to other clade members--R. charius and R. griet. Therefore, an integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular and bioacoustic analysis along with morphology was used to delimit the new species. Raorchestes honnametti sp. nov., is currently known only from Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, a part of Biligiri Rangaswamy horst mountain range (a mountain formed due movement of two faults) formed during the Late Quaternary period (1.8-2.58 Ma). Discovery of cryptic species from a highly speciose and well-studied genus Raorchestes hints at the possible existence of several more cryptic species in this genus. We discuss the possible reasons for crypsis and emphasize the need for continued systematic surveys of amphibians across the Western Ghats.
authors.affiliation: Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Royal Enclave, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post Office, Bengaluru, India.|Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Priti
authors.affiliation: Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Royal Enclave, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post Office, Bengaluru, India.|Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Rekha Sarma
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Roshmi
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center, Gubbi Labs LLP, II Cross Extension, Gubbi, India.
authors.forename: Badrinath
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramya
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center, Gubbi Labs LLP, II Cross Extension, Gubbi, India.|Science Media Center, Gubbi Labs LLP, WS-5, I Floor, Entrepreneurship Center, Society for Innovation and Development, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sudhira
authors.affiliation: Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Royal Enclave, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post Office, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravikanth
authors.affiliation: Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Royal Enclave, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post Office, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Neelavara Anantharam
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Aravind
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Center, Gubbi Labs LLP, II Cross Extension, Gubbi, India.|Science Media Center, Gubbi Labs LLP, WS-5, I Floor, Entrepreneurship Center, Society for Innovation and Development, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: Kotambylu Vasudeva
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Gururaja
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D007194:India; D010802:Phylogeny