Context:

A recent study suggests that The Malabar Tree Toad (MTT), an endemic species of the Western Ghats, faces severe threats from climate change, which may drastically reduce its distribution range. 

Climate Change and the Malabar Tree Toad: 

• Recent research indicates that the distribution range of the Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus) decreased to 68.7 percent from 33.5 percent between 2061 and 2080 in India’s protected areas (PAs) under high-emission scenarios. 
• While in low emissions scenarios, the species' distribution range increased from 1.9 %  to 111.3% in protected areas.     
• Globally, 40.7% of amphibians (8,011 species) are the most threatened vertebrates due to human activities like agriculture, infrastructure development, and harvesting.  

About Malabar Tree Toad:

• The MTT is unique as the only arboreal toad in India, capable of climbing and residing in trees, unlike most ground-dwelling toads. 
• It was first discovered in 1876 and rediscovered in 1980 at Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.
• It is a rare and endangered species of amphibian native to the Western Ghats of India and the only species in the monotypic genus Pedostibes.
• A proposal has been submitted to the Government of Karnataka to declare the MTT as the state amphibian, aiming to bolster conservation efforts for this vulnerable species.

About Western Ghat: 

• The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills.
• It is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity.
• The Western Ghat extends across the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• It cover an area of around 140,000 km² in a 1,600 km long stretch.
• It is Older than the great Himalayan Mountain chain.
• The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, hosts 252 amphibian species, of which 17 are critically endangered.
• The Western Ghats are home to some 17 percent of the world’s tigers and about 30 percent of the world’s Asian elephants.