In news
Recently, Scientists found new frog genus from Andamans
Key findings of the study
- A study led by a Professor of Delhi University, along with researchers from India, Indonesia and China, has reported a new genus of the Old World treefrog family Rhacophoridae — the first report of a tree frog species (Striped Bubble-nest frog) from the Andaman Islands.
- Besides DU, the team had researchers from Zoological Survey of India – Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, and National Centre for Cell Science
- The new genus ‘Rohanixalus’ is named after Sri Lankan taxonomist Rohan Pethiyagoda
- As per the scientists, this finding uncovers an interesting new distribution pattern of tree frogs that provides evidence for faunal exchange between Andamans and the Indo-Burma region
- According to the researchers, Rohanix-alus is the 20th recognised genus of the family Rhacopho-ridae and currently comprises eight out of the 422 known Old World treefrog species found in Asia and Africa.
Unique characteristics
These frogs are characterised by a rather small and slender body (2-3 cm long), a pair of contrastingly coloured lateral lines on either side of the body, minute brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body, light green-coloured eggs laid in arboreal bubble-nests, and several unique behavioural traits including maternal egg attendance.
Source: The Indian Express
