Scientists discover new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal
Itanagar (PTI): Scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal Pradesh, based on morphological, molecular and acoustic evidence.
The new frog of the genus Nidirana is phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters, the scientists claimed in an article published in the November 15 edition of the journal Zootaxa.
The scientists Bitupan Boruah, V Deepak and Abhijit Das, conducted field surveys in Changlang and Lohit districts of the northeastern state between August and September, last year.
Nestled within vegetation in shallow pools of water, the scientists found male frogs with 'robust' bodies calling loudly. Other specimens were heard from nearby marshy areas, the edges of a newly constructed pond and the side of a nearby road, they mentioned in the article.
The scientists said that they have collected five of the Noa-Dihing Music Frogs three males and two females. The species is also known as Nidirana noadihing.
The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the specimens were discovered and collected.
The frog has a "robust" body, with males measuring between approximately 1.8 inches and 2.3 inches long and females measuring between about 2.4 inches and 2.6 inches long, they said.
The frogs have a 'rounded' snout and 'smooth' skin with bony protrusions on their backs. The amphibians have a 'pale cream' line bordered with dark brown running down the centre of their bodies. Their light brown limbs are adorned with dark stripes.
According to the scientists, the new species confirmed for the first time that the Nidirana genus has been found in India. Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
The amphibians have 'irregular shaped and sized spots' on their eyelids and they have dark stripes around their moderately large eyes. Their pupils are gold-rimmed. Their irises are dark brown and have a golden spackle.
The frogs' throat, forelimbs, thighs and lower legs are light brown and pinkish, according to the study. Their groin and the outside of their thighs are pale yellow with irregular dark olive patches, and their cream-coloured chest and belly have a golden tinge.
Nidirana are known to inhabit swamps, ponds and paddy fields, and they often construct nests to lay their eggs, the study said.
Noa-Dihing Music Frogs are distinguished from other species by their size, their oval toe tips, the tubercles on their backs and their unique call, researchers said.
The discovery of a new species validates the presence of the genus Nidirana from India and emphasises the importance of exploring specialized habitats such as marshlands, which are often overlooked, the scientists observed.
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UP: Tehsildar's vehicle hits biker, drags body for 30 km
Bahraich(UP), Dec 20: A government vehicle belonging to the tehsildar of Nanpara hit a biker and allegedly dragged his body for 30 kilometers.
The victim, identified as Narendra Kumar Haldar (35), a resident of Payagpur, was returning home when the accident occurred on the Nanpara-Bahraich road on Thursday evening. According to police, Haldar's body got entangled in the vehicle and was dragged for the entire distance, reaching the Nanpara Tehsil.
Naib Tehsildar Shailesh Kumar Awasthi, who is believed to be present in the vehicle at the time of the accident, has been recommended for suspension by District Magistrate Monika Rani. The vehicle's driver, Meraj Ahmed, has been arrested. Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla confirmed the incident and said, "It was confirmed that the body was dragged for 30 kilometers to Nanpara when the locations of the deceased Narendra Haldar and the tehsildar's driver Meraj Ahmed were tracked at the time of the accident."
Stating that the incident was a "big negligence", the officer added, "It is very unlikely that a body was stuck in the vehicle for 30 kilometers and no one came to know about it. It is possible that the vehicle was not stopped due to fear."
The officer said that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. "Police are examining CCTV footage along the 30-kilometer route to reconstruct the sequence of events," said the SP.
In the police complaint lodge regarding the matter, the family members of the deceased have mentioned the vehicle of the tehsildar, police said.
District Magistrate Monika Rani said, "The matter of a car colliding with a bike came to notice. The Naib Tehsildar of Nanpara had come to Bahraich in the Tehsildar's car for some work and was returning to Nanpara. It has been learnt that a dead body got stuck with his car that drove till Nanpara Tehsil. According to the naib tehsildar, he was not aware of it. A recommendation has been made to suspend the naib tehsildar who was in the car."
