‘Large’-eyed creature with ‘hourglass pattern’ found in a bush. It’s a new species
.jpg "Scientists found a “large”-eyed creature with an “hourglass pattern” in bushes of India and discovered a new species, a study said.")
As the sunset across eastern India, a patterned creature perched in a bush and called out. Its “large,” brown eyes scanned the surrounding forest — but it wasn’t the only one looking around.
Passing scientists noticed the “small” animal and discovered a new species.
Researchers hiked into the hills of Meghalaya state several times between 2020 and 2023 to search for wildlife, according to a study published Nov. 18 in the peer-reviewed journal Herpetozoa. They hoped to find some bush frogs.
During one of the visits, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking frogs hiding in the plants, the study said. Intrigued, they caught a few of the animals and, after taking a closer look, realized they’d discovered a new species: Raorchestes asakgrensis, or the Asakgre bush frog.
Asakgre bush frogs are considered “small,” reaching just under an inch in length, the study said. The skin on their backs is “smooth,” but their bellies are slightly bumpy. They have “large” heads with a “pointed” snout and “large,” “golden brown” eyes.
Photos show the various brown hues of the new species. Some frogs have an “hourglass pattern,” similar to a pair of inward-curving parentheses “)(,“ on their back, researchers said.
One female frog had “pale white eggs visible through” its stomach, the study said.
Asakgre bush frogs “were seen calling at dusk from bushes” and plants. Researchers also found a pair of frogs mating in a bush about 5 feet off the ground.
Researchers said they named the new species after Eman Asakgre Community Reserve where it was first discovered and “to honor the residents who greatly supported the surveys.”
So far, Asakgre bush frogs have been found at several sites across the Garo Hills and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, a state of northeastern India bordering Bangladesh and a roughly 1,200-mile drive southeast from New Delhi.
The new species was identified by its snout, coloring, hand shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 5% genetic divergence from related frog species.
The research team included R. S. Naveen, S. R. Chandramouli, S. Babu, A. M. Ryndongsngi, P. V. Karunakaran and Honnavalli Kumara.
The team also rediscovered two species of bush frog not seen in over a century.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 8:10 AM with the headline "‘Large’-eyed creature with ‘hourglass pattern’ found in a bush. It’s a new species."
