Natural History Art
1. Bugs of Northeast India
2. Frogs of Western Ghats
A large part of Northeast India encompasses a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, one of only 36 in the world, and is thus home to a plethora of diverse wildlife, densely packed into this ecologically rich region. Much of the species found here are endangered, while others are vulnerable or even on the brink of extinction.
ABOVE
Clockwise from top left: De Niceville's windmill, Bhutan blackvein and five-bar swordtail.
BELOW
Clockwise from top left: Cyana bellisima, lesser golden emperor, black-banded hawkmoth, Cardine barsinalis, iridescent emerald and oak emerald.
I am absolutely fascinated by the Western Ghats of India, and honestly, until two years ago, had no idea the high diversity of these rainforests are rivaled only by conventionally popular tropical destinations like Madagascar and the Amazon. 87% of all Western Ghats frogs are endemic (possibly over a hundred species) and found nowhere else on the planet, and we know very little about any of them.
Recently discovered, the Amboli toad is only found on the rocky plateaus of the Western Ghats around Amboli in Maharashtra.
Unlike most other frogs that call to their potential mates, the dancing frog instead chooses to wave its legs about.
A Malabar gliding frog can glide in the air for up to 12 metres.
