{
  "id": 654240,
  "title": "Three new cascade frog species discovered in northeast India; one named in honour of Kerala social worker Padmini Varkey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/three-new-cascade-frog-species-discovered-in-northeast-india-one-654240",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-12T09:47:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/three-new-cascade-frog-species-discovered-in-northeast-india-one-named-in-honour-of-kerala-social-worker-padmini-varkey/article71335586.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have recently identified three new species of cascade frogs in the biodiverse forests of northeast India, adding to the five other species previously documented in the country. The discovery, published in the Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, resulted from over a decade of rigorous field research across the northeastern states. The research team, led by Prof. S. D. Biju from Delhi University, documented more than 300 geographic populations of cascade frogs inhabiting fast-flowing forest streams. Through DNA analysis and detailed comparisons of adult frogs and tadpoles, the scientists confirmed the existence of three previously unknown species: Ammachi's Cascade Frog (Amolops ammachi) from Tripura, Sendenyu Cascade Frog (Amolops sendenyu) from Nagaland, and Beautiful Cascade Frog (Amolops bella) from West Bengal. The new species carry names inspired by local landmarks and a renowned Kerala social worker, Padmini Varkey, also known as 'Ammachi,' whose compassion and philanthropy inspired the naming of one of the frogs. The study also revealed five additional cascade frog species that were previously unrecorded in India, expanding the known diversity and distribution of the genus Amolops. The findings suggest that these species have been diversifying for approximately 32 million years, with significant evolutionary changes occurring during the Eocene-Oligocene transition. The research emphasizes the need for further exploration and conservation efforts, particularly in the northeastern states, which are recognized as biodiversity hotspots.",
  "summary": "Study also records five other cascade frog species documented in India for the first time",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Three new cascade frog species discovered in northeast India; one named in honour of Kerala social worker Padmini Varkey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/three-new-cascade-frog-species-discovered-in-northeast-india-one",
        "published": "2026-08-12T09:47:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}