Why it is in news?
- Each species can be recognised by its unique genetic ‘barcode’ and using this method, a team of scientists has identified three frog species not recorded in India before.
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The researchers also found that the ornate narrow-mouthed frog ”” thought to be widely-distributed in Asia ”” is seen only in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
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It was the complex taxonomy of the ornate narrow-mouthed frog ”” it was first described in 1841 ”” that prompted the team to study it further.
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They collected 62 of these frogs across India and analysed their genetic data using DNA barcoding. They compared this with available genetic data from across south Asia.
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Complex taxonomy- Unravelling complex taxonomy, the team found that India is home to not just the ornate narrow-mouthed frog but also the Nilphamari, Mymensingh and Mukhlesur’s narrow-mouthed frogs (seen in other south Asian countries).
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The study reveals that the ornate narrow-mouthed frog is present only in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
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However, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the species as “Least Concern” based on the outdated information that it is widespread.
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Status review- The study would “enable IUCN to review the conservation status of this group of frogs across South Asia at the earliest opportunity.
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These findings also increase India’s frog species tally to 400.
Source
The Hindu