GUWAHATI: Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India have identified three new-to-science frog genera in the biodiverse hotspot of the Namdapha-Kamlang landscape in Arunachal Pradesh.
The newly identified frogs, named after their specific habitats, are expected to contribute to better conservation efforts for both the species and their unique environments.
Lead researcher Abhijit Das highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasising the exceptional biodiversity of the Namdapha National Park, which is recognised as a tiger reserve with high ecological diversity.
The park, nestled between Myanmar and India, boasts an elevational diversity gradient ranging from 100 to 5000 meters, making it the northernmost limit of tropical rainforests globally.
The first of the discoveries, Gracixalus patkaiensis, is a nearly transparent green frog resembling jelly, found in the thick understory of the evergreen forest.
The second, Alcalus fontinalis, is a brown dwarf frog with a unique trickle-like call, residing in fast-flowing streams below the vegetation.
The third, Nidirana noadihing, named after the Noa-Dihing river, inhabits knee-deep marshes in the region and is distinguished by its distinctive call with two different types of notes.
The Namdapha region, situated on the border, faces various anthropogenic pressures, posing challenges to conservation efforts.
The researchers hope that naming the discovered species after their habitats will inspire local communities to take ownership and actively contribute to their conservation. The approach has previously proven successful, as seen with the Mahabali frog in the Western Ghats.
