'Music Frog'

28.11.2023

'Music Frog' , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

 Recently scientists have discovered a new species of 'Music Frog' in Arunachal Pradesh, named Nidirana noadihing.

Important points:

• The scientists, Bitupan Borua, V Deepak and Abhijit Das, detailed their findings in an article published in the November 15 edition of the journal Zootaxa.
• Scientists Bitupan Barua, V Deepak and Abhijit Das conducted a field survey in Changlang and Lohit districts of this northeastern state between August and September in the year 2022.
• Scientists have discovered this new species of 'Music Frog' in Arunachal Pradesh based on morphological, molecular and acoustic evidence.

About Nidirana Noadihing:

• Scientists have discovered a new species of frog named Nidirana noadihing in Arunachal Pradesh.
• This frog is also known as Noa-Dihing Music Frog.
• This frog belongs to the Nidirana genus.
• The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near the location where the specimens were discovered and collected.
• It was found in Changlang and Lohit districts.
• Nidirana are known to live in swamps, ponds and paddy fields and they often build nests to lay their eggs.
• Scientists have collected five of the Noa-Dihing music frogs, three males and two females.

Features of Nidirana Noadihing:

• The length of the male of this species is approximately 1.8 to 2.3 inches and the length of the female is approximately 2.4 to 2.6 inches.
• It is phenotypically distinct from other frogs in its genus and has unique characteristics such as a "robust" body and golden-rimmed pupils.
• These frogs have a "round" snout with bony protrusions on their backs and "smooth" skin.
• Amphibians have a "pale cream" line bordered by dark brown running down the center of their bodies.
• Their light brown limbs are decorated with dark stripes.
• The specialty of this new species of frog, Nidirana Noadihing, is that both males and females are vocal in it.
• Amphibians have "spots of irregular shape and size" on their eyelids and dark stripes around their moderately large eyes.
• The pupils of his eyes are dark brown in color and have a golden shine on them.
• The throat, front legs, thighs and lower legs of these frogs are light brown and pink in color.
• The outside of their waist and thighs are pale yellow with irregular dark olive spots, and they have a golden tinge on their cream-colored chest and belly.

Importance of Nidirana Noadihing:

• Noa-dihing music frogs are distinguished from other species by their size, their oval toes, the tubercles on their backs, and their unique call.

The discovery is the first confirmation of the presence of the Nidirana genus in India, expanding its known habitat beyond the regions of Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.