Raorchestes resplendens

Listed as Critically Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be less than 100 km², its area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated to be 3 km², all individuals are in a single location, and there is a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals.

This species is considered to be extremely rare as it has only been found at the type locality of Anamudi summit, and it is estimated that the population consists of less than 300 individuals with an apparent decline observed over the last six years (S.D. Biju pers. comm. December 2010).

This species is associated to forests, it is found on moss-covered rocks in bamboo thickets with temperatures ranging from 30ºC to -3ºC (S.D. Biju pers. comm. December 2010). Like other congeners, this species breeds by direct development (Biju et al.2010). About 24 eggs are burrowed under the moss-covered forest floor, deep inside the base of bamboo clumps (Biju et al.2010). Females are thought to mate with multiple males or may breed more than once in a single season due to contained mature embryos in a female’s oviduct after oviposition (Biju et al.2010). 

It occurs in a highly protected national park, where there are no observable threats to this species (S. Biju pers.comm. December 2010). Screening for chytrid fungus has so far turned up negative (S. Biju pers.comm. January 2011), and the cause for observed declines remains unknown.