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Overview
The Evolutionary story of the Eastern Ghats Project at GITAM explores how reptiles and amphibians came to inhabit the Eastern Ghats and how these lineages have evolved over time. By tracing the origins and diversification of these species, the project aims to build a broad picture of the region’s evolutionary history over the past 30 million years. Through the lens of frogs, snakes, and lizards, we aim to gain insights into how life in the Eastern Ghats has changed over the past 30 million years.
Research Team
Aydan Rangel (Project assistant)
Lab member
Research objectives
- Synthesize and expand existing phylogenetic knowledge of Eastern Ghats herpetofauna
- Investigate biogeographic patterns across the Eastern Ghats
- Assess the role of the Eastern Ghats in shaping biodiversity over deep time
The Evolutionary Story of the Eastern Ghats by Aparna Lajmi
Research approach
For ongoing projects: To understand how various species of amphibians and reptiles are related to each other, we use genetic data. By comparing DNA sequences across species, scientists can build phylogenies—family trees that show how species are related to each other through evolution.
In this project, we bring together published phylogenies of reptiles and amphibians, add in some species that are missing, and refine timelines to estimate when different groups split from one another. We then combine this evolutionary framework with information on where species live today, along with data on their habitat. This helps us trace where these lineages came from and when, and how various groups of amphibians and reptiles dispersed and diversified over the last 30 million years in this region—offering a window into the deep evolutionary history of the Eastern Ghats.
Research Outcomes and Impact
This project will create a comprehensive evolutionary framework for reptiles and amphibians of the Eastern Ghats. By combining genetic data, published phylogenies, and biogeographic analyses, it will:
- Clarify evolutionary origins – Identify when and where key lineages of frogs, snakes, and lizards in the Eastern Ghats arose.
- Reveal biogeographic patterns – Show how geography, climate, and geology have shaped the movement and diversification of species over time.
- Highlight conservation value – Provide insights into the unique evolutionary history of the Eastern Ghats, strengthening arguments for conserving its habitats and biodiversity.
The outcomes will not only advance scientific understanding of one of India’s least studied mountain ranges but also raise awareness of its ecological and evolutionary significance.
