Micryletta aishani | 12 Jun 2019

Scientists from Delhi University and the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with researchers from Indonesia and the US, have discovered a new species of ‘paddy frog’ from Northeast India, specifically from Assam. 

• The newly found species has been named Micryletta aishani, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘aishani’ or aisani meaning Northeast.
• Micryletta aishani belongs to the microhylid genus Micryletta, a group of narrow-mouthed frogs more commonly known as paddy frogs (found primarily in Southeast Asia).
• First known species of microhylid genus was found in the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
• It is endemic to Northeast India, particularly the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot region that lies south of River Brahmaputra. Apart from Assam, it is also present in Tripura and Manipur.

How Micryletta aishani is different from other Frog species?

• Unlike most frogs that breed during the monsoon, Micryletta aishani, breeds before the onset of monsoon and then go into hiding for the rest of the year.
• Micryletta aishani, are generally found very close to human settlements.
• Aishani differs from other narrow-mouthed paddy frogs by characteristics such as reddish-brown coloration on back, prominent dark streaks and ash-grey mottling on the lateral sides, the shape of the snout, and absence of web on its feet.
• Micryletta aishani is the fifth species of the genus of paddy frogs.