A breakthrough discovery has excited the scientific community as an international team of researchers discovered a new species of ‘paddy frog’, primarily in Northeast India. This significant finding is a result of collaborative research between scientists from Delhi University and the Wildlife Institute of India, along with their counterparts from Indonesia and the United States.
Micryletta Aishani: The New Find
The newly discovered species has been christened Micryletta aishani, with ‘aishani’ originating from the Sanskrit word ‘aisani’, symbolizing the Northeast. This new addition falls under the Microhylid genus Micryletta, a category of narrow-mouthed paddy frogs, predominantly found in Southeast Asia. The first known species from this genus was discovered on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Importantly, Micryletta aishani is endemic to Northeast India, particularly the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot region, situated south of the River Brahmaputra.
Where is it found?
Micryletta aishani’s reach isn’t limited to Assam. This new species has managed to make habitats in Tripura and Manipur as well. Interestingly, these frogs are often located very near to human settlements, indicating their adaptability to thrive in such environments.
Table of Facts About Micryletta Aishani
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Genus | Micryletta |
| Name Origin | Sanskrit word ‘aisani’, denoting Northeast |
| First Found | Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Endemic Region | Northeast India (South of Brahmaputra) |
| Typical Habitats | Tripura, Manipur, Assam |
Micryletta Aishani vs Other Frog Species
The Micryletta aishani is unique compared to most frog species. Unlike others that breed during the monsoon, Micryletta aishani begins its breeding season before the onset of the monsoon and then retreats into hiding for the rest of the year.
Furthermore, Micryletta aishani can be distinguished from other narrow-mouthed frogs based on several specific attributes. They possess a reddish-brown coloration on their back and dark streaks alongside ash-grey mottling on their lateral sides. The shape of their snout is another distinguishing factor. Additionally, Micryletta aishani do not have webbing on their feet, which is uncommon within their genus.
Notably, Micryletta aishani represents the fifth discovered species in the genus of paddy frogs, making this discovery especially significant for zoologists and ecologists studying this particular family of amphibians.
