New frog species found in Western Ghats

CHENNAI: A new species of frog has been found near Anaimudi, the highest peak in south India, in Western Ghats. Named Raorchestes, the species is morphologically dissimilar to any other known family of the frog.

The species was found by a team of scientists from Delhi University, led by Sathyabhama Das Biju, associate professor, School of Environmental Studies, at Eravikulam National Park in Idukki district of Kerala. It has a bright orange to reddish colour, multiple macroglands on the body and extremely short limbs.

Biju told TOI, "This frog is known to live only in the Anaimudi summit. I first located it in 2001 and then spent nearly seven years to complete this study including its remarkable reproductive behaviour."