Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Discovery of a new frog species in Western Ghats

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    6th Aug, 2021

Minervarya Pentali, a new species of frog has been discovered from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot which extends along the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula.

Context

Minervarya Pentali, a new species of frog has been discovered from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot which extends along the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula.

About the new frog species

  • The discovery was made by studying one of the Indian frogs of genus Minervarya (common name: Minervaryan frogs).
  • The new species belongs to the family Dicroglossidae.
  • The newly-discovered species is named Minervarya Pentali.
  • This species is among the smallest known Minervaryan frogs.
  • It is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.
  • It is found in multiple localities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu while surveying amphibians during the monsoon season.
  • Threats: Habitat loss, modification, and anthropogenic threats can lead to a population decline or complete wiping out of this newly discovered species.
  • Significance of the finding: The study resolved the identity and taxonomic status of all known members of genus from peninsular India.
  • It clarifying the geographical ranges of species and provides new distribution records based on morphologically and genetically identified samples.

Amphibian diversity in the Western Ghats

  • Around more than half of nearly 230 species of the all known Indian species (~450 species) are found in the Western Ghats.
  • Over 90% of these are endemic to the region.

Amphibians

  • These are small vertebrates that need water or a moist environment for survival.
  • The species in the group include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
  • Animals of this group can breathe and absorb water through their very thin skin.
  • Amphibians also contain special skin glands to produce useful proteins.

Verifying, please be patient.

X