Taxonomy and Biogeography of Kaloula Species of Eastern India

Abstract

Four species of Kaloula have been reported from the Republic of India, and eastern India harbours all three recognized mainland species, namely, K. assamensis, K. pulchara, and k. taprobanica. This study reveals that the north-east Indian population of Kaloula taprobanica is a variant form of the nominal species. This variant and K. assamensis show overlap at their eastern and western limits of distribution, respectively. The distribution patterns indicate that Brahmaputra river acts as barrier to dispersal of Kaloula species in eastern India.