Two new Philautus (Anura: Ranidae: Rhacophorinae) from Ponmudi Hill in the Western Ghats of India

Two new species of Shrubfrog, Philautus bobingeri sp. nov. and Philautus graminirupes sp. nov., are described from Ponmudi Hill in the Western Ghats. Philautus bobingeri is related to P glandulosus but displays a number of clear-cut characters that make it easily distinguishable. Philautus graininirupes has previously been confused with Philautus signatus, but this species is confined to localities north of the Palghat Gap. Philautus bobingei is a true canopy species, whereas P graminirupes is exclusively found on herbaceous plants close to the ground. The microhabitat preference of both species is directly related to their choice of oviposition-site, because P bobingeri eggs were found about 4 in high on a tree trunk, whereas P. graminirupes usually deposits its eggs in rock crevices or at the base of grass clumps close to the ground.