Itanagar, April 24: Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India have identified a new species of mud-nesting “fanged frog” in Namdapha Tiger Reserve, underscoring the region’s largely unexplored biodiversity.
The species, named Limnonectes motijheel, was documented during field surveys conducted between 2022 and 2023. The discovery adds to India’s known amphibian diversity and is associated with Motijheel, a wetland within the reserve that supports multiple frog species.
Scientists said the frog is characterised by its fang-like jaw structure and an unusual nesting pattern. Unlike most amphibians that breed in water, this species constructs cup-shaped mud nests beneath leaf litter on the forest floor. Males call from within these concealed nests to attract mates, making detection difficult during field surveys. Researchers noted that its distinctive “wooooak” call is typically heard during April and May.
The study, led by Bitupan Boruah, NV Rajiv, Sourav Dutta and Abhijit Das, confirmed the species through genetic and morphological analysis, establishing clear differences from closely related frogs.
In addition, the survey recorded Limnonectes longchuanensis in India for the first time, raising the total number of known Limnonectes species in the country to six.
Researchers indicated that L. motijheel currently appears to be restricted to Namdapha and adjoining forest areas, although similar habitats in neighbouring regions may also support its presence.
Situated within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, Namdapha continues to yield new species, particularly in underexplored microhabitats such as leaf-littered forest floors. Scientists emphasised that the discovery highlights the ecological importance of amphibians as indicators of environmental health and reinforces the need for sustained research and conservation efforts in Northeast India.
