India’s newest frog evolved 60 million years ago

India’s newest frog evolved 60 million years ago

Question: New species of the frog (Astrobartrachus kurichiyana) is found in?
(a) Wayanad, Kerela
(b) Eastern Ghats
(c) Himalayan Region
(d) Sunder ban
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

  • The starry dwarf frog, a nocturnal amphibian that lives under leaf litter on a mountain top was discovered in Kerala’s Wayanad.
  • Vijayakumar S.P, the frog researcher first laid his eyes on the odd-looking frog and picked it up from atop Wayanad’s Kurichiyarmala.
  • Genetic study says that its closest relatives are the Nycibatrachinae group of frogs that dwell in the Western Ghats, and the Lankanectinae frogs of Sri Lanka.
  • The name of the new species of the stray dwarf frog is Astrobartrachus kurichiyana in an honour of the kurichiyana tribal community who live in the area.
  • According to the genetic analysis the species is at least 60 million years old.

By Siddharth

Link:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indias-newest-frog-evolved-60-million-years-ago/article26516002.ece