Ingerana occidens

Ingerana occidens Latest News

A researcher recently discovered a new species of frog named Ingerana occidens in the canopy-covered streams of northeastern India. 

About Ingerana occidens

• Ingerana occidens, or the western trickle frog, is a new species of frog.
• It was discovered in the Garo and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya south of the Brahmaputra River. 
• When comparing the DNA of the newly found southern frogs to the topotypic Ingerana borealis frogs living north of the Brahmaputra River, there is an 18% difference in their genetic code.  
• This confirms that the southern frogs belong to a distinct and previously undocumented species. 
• The species name ‘occidens’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘west’. This name was chosen because the frog’s habitat marks the westernmost known range of any species in its genus. 

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Ingerana occidens Features

• The newly discovered species is noticeably smaller, with adult females reaching just 26 millimetres in length. 
• While its northern relative is heavily wrinkled, the new frog features mostly smooth skin with only mild wrinkling and boasts a distinct stripe of contrasting colour running down its side. 
• Its most noticeable feature is its clearly visible, protruding eardrum, known as a tympanum, topped by a strong fold of skin. 
• In contrast, the northern species has practically invisible eardrums.

News: RM