Comparative Assessment of Anuran Diversity and Morphometric Ratios from Aquatic Ecosystem of Sub Mountainous and Plain Zones of Punjab

Present study investigates four anuran species , , and Duttaphry melanostictus D stomaticus Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis nus .Hoplobatrac tigerinus husbelonging to families Bufonidae and Dicroglossidae under order anura in aquatic ecosystem (village ponds) of plain zone (Ludhiana) and sub mountainous zone (SBS Nagar) of Punjab (India) during 2022 and 2023.Higher anuran population (2.99 to 5.15 individuals/month/transect) was in sub mountainous zone followed by plain zone (2.02 to 3.98 individuals/month/transect).Seasonal activity of anurans was from May to December and during whole year with higher population during July and August month.A 10.27% increase in population was in sub mountainous zone during 2023 as compared to previous year whereas was only 8.87% in plain zone.Inside pond, H. tigerinus showed a significant 46.15-72.22%variation in population in sub mountainous zone as compared to plain zone which was significantly different from other anuran species.However, in outside (periphery) of village ponds, showed highest (47.56-E.cyanophlyctis 47.61%) population variation in sub mountainous zone as compared to plain zone which was significantly different from other anuran species.Biodiversity indices, like Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson's index improved in 2023 as compared to previous year in plain and sub mountainous zone, respectively.Morphometric analysis revealed significant sexual dimorphism, particularly in , with interspecific H. tigerinus variations reflecting adaptations to different microhabitats.Significant seasonal variations and increase in anuran population was in sub mountainous zone consistently supported higher densities than plain zone.Enhanced biodiversity indices and positive correlations with weather parameters indicate improved ecosystem health over time.Morphometric differences, particularly in , highlight species-H.tigerinus specific adaptations to environmental niches, advancing our understanding of anuran ecological roles.