Description

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Context:

A giant frog species that hopped alongside dinosaurs and is considered a "living fossil" is now losing ground in its native Chile as climate change and human intervention damage its habitat.

About Helmeted water toad (Calyptocephalella gayi)

- It is also known as the Helmet Water Toad, which jumped alongside the dinosaurs and is considered a "living fossil".
- It is one of the largest frogs in the world, growing to over 30 cm (1 ft) in length and weighing up to 1 kg.

Appearance:

- - Broad head and big mouth.
  - Females grow up to 32 cm (12.6 in) and can weigh up to 1.3 kg.
  - Coloration ranges from yellow, green, and brown to gray as they age.
  - Behavior: Shows aggressive behavior towards predators.

Evolutionary Significance

It survived alongside the dinosaurs and persisted through mass extinctions, showing minimal genetic variation over millions of years.

Habitat:

- - Preferred habitat: Deep ponds, reservoirs, and wetlands with cooler waters.
  - Geographical range: Native to central Chile, from Coquimbo in the north to Chiloé Island in the south.
Distribution: They occur in the lowlands of Chile, up to 500 m above sea level.

Protection status

IUCN: Vulnerable
Included in Appendix III is the regulation of international trade to prevent overexploitation.

Threats: Climate change, habitat degradation, environmental degradation, and pollution have caused the helmeted water toad to decline in numbers.

What is a living Fossil?

A living fossil is an extant taxon that phenotypically resembles a related species known only from the fossil record. For a fossil species to be considered a living fossil, it must be old relative to the time of origin of the existing clade. Living fossils are commonly of species-poor lineages, but they don't have to be.

Geographical Features of Chile:

Location	Located along the southwestern coast of South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east.
Bordering countries	North: Peru; East: Bolivia and Argentina; West: Pacific Ocean; South: Drake Passage.
Mountain Ranges	Dominated by the Andes Mountain Range, with peaks exceeding 6,000 meters, including Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano (6,893 meters).
Coastal Features	Extensive coastline of over 6,400 km, featuring fjords, beaches, and cliffs.
Desert	The Atacama Desert in northern Chile, the driest non-polar desert in the world.
Central Valley	Fertile agricultural region located between the Andes and the Coastal Range.
Plateaus and Highlands	Altiplano in the north, shared with Bolivia and Peru, is characterized by high plains and salt flats.
Islands	Includes Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Juan Fernández Archipelago, and Chiloé Island.
Lakes and Rivers	Notable rivers include the Loa (longest river) and Bío-Bío; significant lakes include Llanquihue and General Carrera.
Glaciers	Numerous glaciers, particularly in the southern regions, including the Patagonian Ice Fields, the third-largest ice field in the world.
Volcanoes	Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, with over 2,000 volcanoes, of which about 500 are potentially active.
Climate Zones	Northern region: Arid (desert climate); Central region: Mediterranean; Southern region: Temperate maritime and subpolar.
Natural Resources	Rich in minerals, particularly copper (the world’s largest producer), nitrates, and lithium, with significant forestry and fishing industries.
Natural Landmarks	Torres del Paine National Park, Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), and Lauca National Park.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/chiles-giant-living-fossil-frog-faces-threat-from-climate-change-and-humans/article69003614.ece

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding Helmeted Water Toad:

It is native to the highlands of northern Chile and is found at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.
The species is classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Helmeted Water Toad is one of the largest frogs in the world, growing over 30 cm in length. The species is native to central Chile, not the highlands of northern Chile. It is found at altitudes up to 500 meters above sea level, not exceeding 2,000 meters.

Statement 2 is correct: The Helmeted Water Toad is classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).