Myristica Swamps and Myristica Swamp Treefrog

Why in news?

• Myristica Swamp Treefrog, a rare arboreal species endemic to the Western Ghats has been recorded for the first time north of the Shencottah gap in Vazhachal Reserve Forest in Thrissur.
• These frogs are rare and elusive for the reason that they are arboreal and active only for a few weeks during their breeding season.
• The frog was first described in 2013 from the lowland Myristica swamps of Arippa, near Kulathupuzha Reserve Forest, in the western foothills of Agasthyamalai.

About Myristica Swamps:

• Myristica swamps are a type of freshwater swamp forest predominantly composed of species of Myristica.
• Myristica swamps have adapted to inundation by way of stilt roots and knee roots.
• Myristica swamps are found in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State and in the southern parts of Kerala State.
• The swamps ranged in area from about 0.25 to 10 hectares.
• The swamps in Karnataka are located at about 300m altitude, the swamps in Kerala are at an altitude of 200m.

Prelims Question

This type of forests is found only in Eastern coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in India. Rainfall averages 800 mm/year, and mostly falls during the highly variable northeast monsoon between October and December. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary protects this kind of forest. Identify:
(a)Tropical semi evergreen forests
(b)Tropical dry deciduous forests
(c)Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests
(d)Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

Answer to prelims question