News:Scientists have discovered a new discovered species of frog named Microhyla eos from Arunachal Pradesh.
Facts:
About Microhyla:
- Microhyla are a group of narrow-mouthed frogs (subfamily Microhylinae) that is primarily and widely distributed in Asia.
- They are commonly known as ‘Rice Frogs’ or ‘Chorus Frogs’, the genus currently comprises of 49 recognised species.
About the new frog species:
- The new frog was discovered from riparian habitats in a primary evergreen forest in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve of the state.
- The frog was confirmed to represent a distinct new species after detailed comparison of both, DNA and morphology with all the previously known members of the group found across South, Southeast, and East Asia.
- Since Arunachal Pradesh is popularly known as ‘the land of the rising sun’ or ‘the land of dawn-lit mountains’,the new species has been named as eos after the mythological Greek goddess of dawn.
Additional information:
Namdapha National Park:
- Namdapha National Park is a large protected area in Arunachal Pradesh
- The area is located between Dapha Bum ridge of Mishmi Hills outspurs of North Eastern Himalayas and Patkai Ranges.
- It is the fourth largest national park in India.
- The Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) was first sighted in this park.It is endemic to this park and critically endangered.
