Mizoram yields two new-to-science frog species, one hiding in plain sight
Duttaphrynus phawngpui and Ingerana aizawl named after Mizoram’s highest peak and its capital; one species was long mistaken for a widespread frog
Researchers from Mizoram have discovered two new frog species, one of which had been hiding undetected on a university campus for over two decades. The newly identified amphibians are named after Mizoram's highest mountain peak and its capital city, Aizawl. The toad, Duttaphrynus phawngpui, was found at elevations above 2,000 meters within Phawngpui National Park, while the frog, Ingerana aizawl, was discovered near small forest streams.
Both species exhibit unique physical features, such as the toad's distinctive pale stripe down its back and the frog's bumpy, wrinkled back and domed eardrum. The new discoveries underscore the importance of exploring isolated mountain habitats, as they can harbor genetically distinct species that evade detection in more densely populated areas.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
