The Western Ghats Biodiversity Hostpot of India has been a hub of amphibian diversity during the past decade. Of the 1,581 new species of amphibians discovered globally between 2006 and 2015, 159 were discovered in this region.
Now, biologists from the University of Delhi and the Kerala Forest Department have discovered several new species of the genus Nyctibatrachus, otherwise known as Nightfrogs. And it's no wonder scientists have only just discovered them - these frogs are so small you can barely see them in the wild.
The discovery, published by SD Biju et. al in the Peer J journal, described the anuran family Nyctibatrachidae as an “ancient lineage of frogs” that originated on the Indian landmass between “the Cretaceous and Paleocene periods”. Until now, there were only 28 recognised species endemic to the area. This discovery brings the number up to 35 and "increases the former diversity estimates by a quarter."
The species were discovered during routine amphibian surveys in the Western Ghats, as the team sampled various populations endemic to the area and found an “undescribed” level of diversity of Night Frogs. The new species include the Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis, Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani and Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei.
Of the newly discovered species, four varieties measure just over 10mm in length, and can barely cover the bed of a human fingernail. Measured against an Indian five-rupee coin, the frogs diminutive size is startling.
Populating specific areas of the Western Ghats, scientists found that most of the new species were endemic to the low- and mid-elevated regions south of Palghat gap in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, whereas one is speculated to inhabit the high-elevation mountain streams slightly northward of the gap in Tamil Nadu.
We can't know for certain how long these species have remained overlooked, however, this discovery emphasises that the incredible biodiversity of the Western Ghats region is still “underestimated”.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
