New species of horned frog found in Arunachal Pradesh named after Apatani tribe

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 2, 2024

A new species of forest-dwelling horned frog was found is the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh bringing cheers to nature lovers.

A team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Shillong, in collaboration with their colleagues from ZSI, Pune and ZSI, Itanagar, has found this species.

The discovery of the species named as Xenophrysapatani marks a significant addition to India’s herpeto-faunal diversity.

The study, led by Bhaskar Saikia and Bikramjit Sinha of the ZSI, Shillong, included K. P Dinesh and A Shabnam of ZSI, Pune and Ilona Jacinta Kharkongor of ZSI, Itanagar.

This finding overturns an earlier erroneous report of the Maoson horned frog (Xenophrysmaosonensis) in India reported by researchers of ZSI, Shillong in 2019. The revised conclusion regarding the identity of the species was done after further analysis revealed substantial genetic disparities between the Indian specimen and X maosonensis from Vietnam and China, prompting a re-evaluation.

This discovery of Xenophrysapatani underscores India’s rich biodiversity and highlights the importance of rigorous taxonomic studies in understanding our natural heritage. The new frog species is named after the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, which predominantly reside in the Lower Subansiri Valley of Arunachal Pradesh (where Tale WLS is located) and in recognition of their ingenuity in conservation of wild flora and fauna.

The researchers also provided insights into the biogeographic distribution of Xenophrys species in India, which are distributed along the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots of the country. The findings are expected to guide future conservation efforts and enhance understanding of amphibian evolution in the region.

The Zoological Survey of India is the apex body in India for the study and documentation of animal diversity. With regional centres across the country, it plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and taxonomic research.