Three new cascade frog species discovered in northeast India; one named in honour of Kerala social worker Padmini Varkey
Study also records five other cascade frog species documented in India for the first time
Scientists have unveiled three new species of cascade frogs in Northeast India, adding to the country's rich biodiversity. The discoveries, published in the Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, are the result of over 15 years of extensive research in the region. Led by Prof. S. D. Biju of Delhi University, the study documented more than 300 geographic populations of cascade frogs in fast-flowing forest streams.
DNA analyses and morphological comparisons confirmed the existence of three previously unknown species: Ammachi’s Cascade Frog, Sendenyu Cascade Frog, and Beautiful Cascade Frog. The latter two were named in honor of West Bengal and Nagaland, respectively. Additionally, the research revealed five species of cascade frogs that had never been recorded in India before, expanding the known diversity and distribution of the genus Amolops in the country.
These species include Marbled Cascade Frog, Nepal Cascade Frog, Wangyal’s Cascade Frog, Medog Cascade Frog, and Pianma Cascade Frog. The study emphasizes that many Indian faunal groups remain poorly studied, highlighting the need for further research in lesser-explored northeastern states.
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