A recent study spanning over two decades has led to the discovery of a new species of frog, named Leptobrachium aryatium, which is associated with Arya Vidyapeeth College in Guwahati, Assam. This naming is significant as it symbolizes a shift in the local identity of Aryanagar, formerly known as Sharabbhati, a hub for country liquor production. The renaming in 2022 aimed to honor the educational institution's reputation and its contributions to the community.

The new frog species was identified in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, an area that borders Meghalaya and is recognized for its rich biodiversity. The frog has unique features, including vibrant orange-and-black eyes a reticulated throat pattern, and a distinctive call during dusk, which helped zoologists confirm its status as a previously unknown species.

The naming and discovery were undertaken by a team of four zoologists, who are either alumni or faculty of Arya Vidyapeeth College. They published their findings in the journal Zootaxa. The genus Leptobrachium, to which the new frog belongs, includes a range of stocky frogs characterized by broad heads and distinct eye coloration. The genus features 38 species that are spread from Southern China and India to the islands of the Sunda Shelf and the Philippines.

The research that culminated in the identification of Leptobrachium aryatium began in 2004 when the species was originally thought to be Leptobrachium smithi. The recent molecular and morphological studies revealed a significant diversity within the genus. The team utilized their previous data alongside new findings from other species to establish the frog as a distinct species.

This discovery has drawn attention to the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, which is crucial not just for its biodiversity but also for sustaining the ecological balance in Guwahati by regulating the climate and water systems in the region. Besides the new frog species, the reserve also provides habitat for elephants, butterflies, rare birds, reptiles, and various amphibians, highlighting its significance as a biodiversity hotspot.

Key Points:

• A new frog species, Leptobrachium aryatium, was discovered by researchers from Arya Vidyapeeth College in Assam.
• The locality, previously known as Sharabbhati for liquor production, was renamed Aryanagar in 2022 to honor the college.
• The frog was identified in the biodiversity-rich Garbhanga Reserve Forest, which borders Meghalaya.
• Notable features of the frog include fiery orange-and-black eyes, a distinctive throat pattern, and a unique call.
• The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa and underscores the diversity of the Leptobrachium genus.
• The research highlighted the ecological importance of Garbhanga Reserve Forest in sustaining the local climate and water systems.
• The area is a habitat for various species, including elephants and rare birds, emphasizing its significance as a biodiversity hotspot.

A recent study by researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and The Environment (ATREE) has led to the rediscovery of Typhloperipatus williamsoni, a species of velvet worm, last observed 111 years ago. This species, considered one of the oldest living fossils, was discovered in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Its rediscovery is significant as it also provides the first molecular data for the species, emphasizing its evolutionary history and biogeographic significance.

Key Points:

• Rediscovery of a Lost Species: Typhloperipatus williamsoni was believed to be extinct until its recent rediscovery by a team from ATREE in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Historical Context: The species was first collected in December 1911 during the “Abor expedition” led by Stanley Kemp and had not been documented in India since then.

• Research and Methodology: Between 2021 and 2023, ATREE researchers, collaborating with the National Geographic Society, retraced the steps of the original expedition and successfully found two specimens of the species.

• Oldest Living Fossils: Velvet worms belong to the phylum Onychophora, which predates dinosaurs, with their lineage going back over 350 million years.

• Evolutionary Insights: The molecular analysis revealed that South Asian onychophoras diverged from their neotropical and African relatives roughly 237 million years ago. It was notable that Asian onychophoras have no links to Australian species, which is unusual for invertebrates in the region.

• Biogeographical Puzzle: This finding may help solve long-standing questions about how this group of animals arrived in Asia, especially given their connection to neotropical species.

• Broader Discoveries: The researchers also documented other species, including a new metallic blue ant and over 15 species of parasitic wasps, among others.

• Conservation Concerns: The natural habitat of T. williamsoni is threatened by agricultural expansion, deforestation, and slash-and-burn cultivation in the Siang Valley, highlighting the need for conservation measures.

• Future Research and Expeditions: More expeditions are planned to explore and document new species in the region, with researchers indicating that it may take years to catalog all collected species effectively.

The study, published in the Journal of Natural History, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and conservation efforts in maintaining the evolutionary history of unique species like T. williamsoni while also addressing the ecological threats faced by their natural habitats.

A recent study spearheaded by a team from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has employed DNA barcoding to enhance the accurate identification of blackfly species, which are known carriers of the river blindness-causing worm, Onchocerca volvulus. This research, published in the journal Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, aims to improve management and control strategies for these vectors. The findings are especially significant given that river blindness is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and a leading cause of infection-related blindness globally.

Key Points from the Article:

• Objective of the Study: The study focused on accurately identifying blackfly species to enhance management strategies against river blindness.

• Significance of River Blindness: Caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus, river blindness is transmitted through blackfly bites and can lead to severe skin issues and potential blindness. It is a major global health concern and is considered among the most neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Research Background: Conducted by a team including Arka Mukherjee, Oishik Kar, Koustav Mukherjee, Bindarika Mukherjee, Atanu Naskar, and Dhriti Banerjee, the study involved collecting blackflies from eight strategic locations in the central Himalayas, particularly around Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal.

• Species Identification Challenge: The ZSI team highlighted the difficulties in distinguishing between different Simuliidae species due to their similar external characteristics. These blackflies, locally known as pipsa or potu, are extremely small and difficult to notice.

• Methodology: To solve identification challenges, the researchers utilized DNA from four specific blackfly species—Simulium dentatum, Simulium digitatum, Simulium praelargum, and Simulium senile. The identification process involved initial segregation based on external features, followed by DNA barcoding.

• DNA Barcoding Technique: This method uses specific gene sequences from the blackfly samples, primarily collected from their legs, to distinguish between the species accurately.

• Vulnerability to River Blindness: The study emphasizes that while local populations are most at risk from these flies, visitors to regions such as Darjeeling and Kalimpong are also at risk, highlighting the need for effective control measures.

By focusing on genetic identification, this research is anticipated to enhance the management of blackfly populations and ultimately aid in reducing the incidence of river blindness. The findings could lead to improved public health interventions and more precise treatment options for communities affected by this disease.