Uperodon systoma 

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
Animalia	Chordata	Amphibia	Anura	Microhylidae

Scientific Name:	Uperodon systoma
Species Authority:	(Schneider, 1799)
Common Name(s): English – Globular Frog, Indistinct Frog, Lesser Balloon Frog, Marbled Balloon Frog
Synonym(s):	Rana systoma Schneider, 1799

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2009
Date Assessed:	2004-04-30
Annotations:	Needs updating
Assessor(s):	Das, I., Dutta, S., Manamendra-Arachchi, K., de Silva, A. & Sharif Khan, M.
Reviewer(s):	Chanson, J.S., Cox, N.A. & Stuart, S.N.
Justification: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is widespread in South Asia, and is found throughout much of southern and eastern India, northwestern India, and has also been recorded from northeastern Pakistan (Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad), Nepal and northern and southeastern Sri Lanka. It is present from sea level up to approximately 1,000 m asl (Pakistan).
Countries occurrence:	Native: India; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka
Additional data:	♦ Upper elevation limit (metres): 1000
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Little is known about the population status of this species. The range is contiguous and populations might generally be stable. In Sri Lanka and in Gujarat, India, the species is regarded as common in its preferred habitat, whilst in Pakistan it is considered rare.
Current Population Trend:	Stable
Additional data:	♦ Population severely fragmented: No

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:

This is a completely fossorial species that buries itself in loose, moist soil. Specimens have been observed in dry forest areas, plains, home gardens and low-intensity agricultural areas. The adults surface only during the summer monsoons; during the dry months they retreat into the soil. In Pakistan, termites are reportedly the main food of this species. Breeding takes place during the monsoon rains. Males call from the banks of torrents or paddy fields, and eggs are laid in masses which float on the water surface.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Use and Trade [top]

Use and Trade:

There are no reports of this species being utilized.

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):

The main threats are the loss of suitable habitat to increasing urbanization, and the pollution of both land and wetlands with agrochemicals.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:

This wide-ranging species presumably occurs in several protected areas.