New toad species, Bufoides bhupathyi, found in Mizoram
First Published: 13th October, 2023 15:46 IST
Bufoides bhupathyi found in the Dampa Tiger Reserve, is about an inch in length, are covered in black, medium-sized tubercles or warts
A group of scientists has discovered a new species, Bufoides bhupathyi, in the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram, as reported in the latest issue of the Indonesian journal, Biodiversitas.
This new species is distinct from two previously known species in the Bufoides genus, Bufoides meghalayanus and Bufoides kempi, which were found in Meghalaya.
Bufoides meghalayanus was thought to exist in both Dampa Tiger Reserve and Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary in Mizoram, but recent research found that it is limited to just three locations in Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya and within 1.5 kilometers of each other, classifying it as “critically endangered.”
To resolve the confusion regarding whether the Bufoides species in Dampa was a separate species, scientists conducted field surveys. They discovered a population of Bufoides that initially resembled Bufoides meghalayanus but was later confirmed as a new species through extensive studies.
The new species from Mizoram differs from its similar species in characteristics like webbing between its toes, colouration, skin features, and the presence of unique parotid glands.
The toads, about an inch in length, are covered in black, medium-sized tubercles or warts.
This newly discovered species, currently only found in the Dampa Tiger Reserve, is likely limited to this area and may meet the criteria for being classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The species has been named Bufoides bhupathyi in honour of S. Bhupathy, a renowned herpetologist who worked as the principal scientist at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in Coimbatore.
Also Read : Mizoram Polls 2023: MZP warns parties against giving tickets to women married to non-tribals
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live 9th Edition of Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival To Begin From 5 December at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio in Guwahati
21st November 2024
Live Heart Breaking: Assam Youth Beats a Lactating Female Dog to Death In Front of Her Puppies
21st November 2024
Live NSCN (K-YA) Launching a Massive Extortion Drive in Arunachal’s Changlang?
21st November 2024
Live As Delhi Gasps for Clean Air, Aizawl Boasts of Cleanest Air with AQI of 29, How Does It Do It?
21st November 2024
WE RECOMMEND
As Delhi Gasps for Clean Air, Aizawl Boasts of Cleanest Air with AQI of 29, How Does It Do It?
At a time when national capital Delhi has become the most polluted city with most poisonous air quality posing threat to people’s lives, and other parts of the country are grappling with poor air quality, Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram, has achieved an impressive milestone, topping the country’s air quality chart with an Air […]
21st November 2024
8 More Football Players Banned for Match Fixing in Mizoram Premier League
The fresh bans bring the total number of banned players to 33
20th November 2024
Mizo Defence League Issues Ultimatum for Meitei Community to Leave Mizoram by November-End
This resolution comes in the wake of the recent killing of 10 armed individuals in Manipur's Jiribam district.
16th November 2024
This Mizoram Professor Teaches Without Pay. Here is Why
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he successfully mentored 7 students who achieved university rankings.
15th November 2024
Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Reviews Northeast Development, Highlights Over Rs 1 Lakh Cr Investment in Infrastructure
Minister Scindia is in Tripura today where he is scheduled to review DoNER schemes in the state.
15th November 2024