Bufoides bhupathyi : New Toad Species
A new species of toad, called Bufoides bhupathyi, has been discovered in the Dampa tiger reserve of Mizoram, India.
- This marks the third species in a genus found in the north-eastern region of India.
- The previous two species, Bufoides meghalayanus and Bufoides kempi, were found in Meghalaya.
- To resolve taxonomic confusion, field surveys were conducted, leading to the discovery of Bufoides bhupathyi, which is distinct from other similar species in terms of interdigital webbing, colouration, skin tuberculation, and the presence of ovoid, tuberculated, and depressed parotid glands.
- The new species is currently known to exist only in the Dampa tiger reserve and is likely to meet the criteria for being assessed as critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- It has been named after S Bhupathy, a prominent herpetologist who served as the principal scientist at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in Coimbatore.
