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Seven miniature frogs discovered in the Western Ghats

February 23, 2017 3:16 PM |

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The Indian scientists have discovered seven new miniature frog species in the Western Ghats. The research was done by two scientists from the Delhi University who claimed that these species are so minute that they can even sit on a child’s thumbnail.

The study has been conducted by these scientists after five years of extensive exploration in the Western Ghats. They further specifies that these frogs remained unnoticed because of their insect-like features and enigmatic environments.

The scientists claims this as an exciting finding as these amphibians are from a small geographical region. Moreover, it is required to conserve these miniature amphibians as well apart from conserving Tiger and Elephants as already more than 32 percent of the Western Ghats frogs are already endangered with extermination.

Moreover, five out of the seven new species, are fronting substantial anthropogenic fears and thus require instant preservation prioritization. Furthermore, unlike the other breeds of frogs who are active in day, these miniature amphibians are active both in day and night.

One of the interesting facts of the study is that out of the seven, four of the new species are in tiny sizes of 12.2-15.4 mm that can easily sit on a child’s thumbnail.

Sonali Garg, who undertook this study as part of her PhD research at University of Delhi, said, "Till now only very few miniature frogs were known in this group. It is a very good find. They are very ancient group of frogs which evolved much earlier. These species of frogs is exclusive to Western Ghats which has vast diversity.”

Unlike the other night frogs who dwell in stream, these miniature frogs were found under damp forest leaves.

Image Credit: express tribune

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