A5024848004- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
National Centre for Biological Sciences
2014-2020
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
2016-2020
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
2016-2018
Molecular phylogenies have yielded strong support for many parts of the amphibian Tree Life, but poor resolution deeper nodes, including relationships among families and orders. To clarify these relationships, we provide a phylogenomic perspective on by developing taxon-specific Anchored Hybrid Enrichment protocol targeting hundreds conserved exons which are effective across class. After obtaining data from 220 loci 286 species (representing 94% 44% genera), estimate phylogeny extant...
We present a preliminary ND2 phylogeny of South Asian Cnemaspis, recovering number deeply divergent clades within Indian endemic to the southern and northern Western Ghats besides Mysore Plateau hills Tamil Nadu. There are unnamed lineages that >5% on across phylogeny, including three from gracilis clade an elevation gradient (800-1400 m asl.) around Yercaud in Shevaroy massif, Salem district, describe two these as new species- Cnemaspis shevaroyensis sp. nov. thackerayi both allied can be...
Natural selection by visually hunting predators has led to the evolution of color defense strategies such as masquerade, crypsis, and aposematism that reduce risk predation in prey species. These defenses are not mutually exclusive, switches between with ontogenic development widespread across taxa. However, evolutionary dynamics change poorly understood. Using comparative phylogenetics, we studied complex life cycles swallowtail butterflies (family Papilionidae). We also tested relative...
The importance of patch quality for amphibians is frequently overlooked in distribution models. Here we demonstrate that it highly important the persistence endemic and endangered found threatened fragile ecosystems are rocky plateaus Western Maharashtra, India. These ferricretes laterite characterise northern section Ghats/Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot, eighth most global hotspot one three by population growth. We present statistically supported habitat associations data-deficient Indian...
The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is rich in herpetofauna and harbours numerous endemic species. Unfortunately, many of these understudied species are threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, infectious diseases climate change. Indirana (family Ranixalidae) an ancient frog genus, the India. Unlike most amphibians, it lays terrestrial eggs has semi-terrestrial tadpoles. We barely have any knowledge about their development, life history, mating systems reproductive ecology. Such...
Xanthophryne is a toad genus endemic to the northern Western Ghats of India, with two extant sister species – koynayensis and tigerina. Both are local endemics endangered. We studied reproductive biology these toads found that they specialized lateritic rocky outcrops at mid-elevations in high rainfall areas. have sporadic, multiple spawning bouts lasting 2–4 days during early monsoon. In this explosive breeding behaviour, we observed male engage 'pelvic thrusts', unique novel behaviour...
The Malabar Tree Toad Pedostibes tuberculosus Günther, 1876 is an endemic and endangered species from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, however, its reproductive biology barely understood. In 2018, we opportunistically encountered a breeding aggregation of P. at Castlerock, Karnataka, recorded behavior. We found in northern to aggregate choruses breed for short duration (a couple nights). Males physically competed duels gain access females. males clasped females around armpits tight...