Amplexus – Kiran Marathe

Amplexus

The Western Ghats, India

Rhacophorus malabaricus, an endemic frog species to the Western Ghats of India is arboreal foam nest builder. Malabar gliding frogs are known to have elaborate reproductive behaviour. Typically, females choose a single acoustically advertising male and a tree overhanging a water body to engage in amplexus where the male releases seminal fluid to fertilise eggs and make foamy nests. Here is an example of amplexus involving multiple males on a cement structure.