Two New Frog Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Indian herpetology has recorded a significant addition with the discovery of two new frog species from the eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. The findings highlight the ecological richness of Arunachal Pradesh and underscore the importance of sustained scientific exploration in remote mountain ecosystems.

Scientific Discovery and Leadership

The discovery was made by a research team from Delhi University led by Professor S D Biju, widely known as the ‘Frogman of India’. The work was carried out as part of the doctoral research of his student, Akalabya. The team undertook extensive field surveys across isolated regions of Arunachal Pradesh over more than three years, focusing on poorly explored forested landscapes.

Soman’s Slender Arm Frog

One of the newly described species has been named “Soman’s Slender Arm Frog” (“Leptobrachium soman”). It was discovered in Tiwarigaon, located in Arunachal Pradesh. The species is named in memory of Kerala-based journalist E Somanath, who passed away in 2022 and was a close associate of Professor Biju during several field expeditions. This frog measures about 55 mm in length and is characterised by silver-grey to light blue eyes. Its body displays a greyish-brown colour with irregular light grey patterns. The species inhabits evergreen forests, with males typically calling from the banks of both fast- and slow-flowing streams.

Mechuka Slender Arm Frog

The second species, “Mechuka Slender Arm Frog” (“Leptobrachium mechuka”), was identified from the evergreen forests and adjoining grasslands around Mechuka, a small town in Arunachal Pradesh where it was first collected. This frog measures roughly 60 mm in length and has a uniformly brown body with a reddish tinge, along with distinctive silvery white eyes. The species reflects the unique amphibian diversity of high-altitude forest-grassland mosaics in the eastern Himalaya.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The eastern Himalaya is recognised as one of the global biodiversity hotspots.
• The genus Leptobrachium belongs to the family Megophryidae.
• New species descriptions require peer-reviewed publication and detailed morphological analysis.
• Arunachal Pradesh is among India’s most species-rich but least explored states.

Publication and Conservation Significance

The study detailing these discoveries was published in the US-based scientific journal PeerJ. The findings emphasise the conservation value of Arunachal Pradesh’s forest ecosystems and the need for continued taxonomic research to document India’s still-unidentified wildlife.