Guwahati, July 4: Nestled in the tranquil enclave of Risa Colony in Shillong lies the North Eastern Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), where scientists are advancing amphibian research.

Over time, ZSI Shillong researchers have consistently unearthed numerous amphibian species in the region, including recent findings such as the Apatani Horned Frog, scientifically known as Xenophrys apatani, from Arunachal Pradesh.

But who are these passionate researchers?

Bhaskar Saikia and Bikramjit Sinha, based at ZSI Shillong, have spearheaded a team of specialists dedicated to cataloging Northeast India’s amphibian diversity. Their collaboration includes Shabnam Ansari and K. P. Dinesh from ZSI Pune, along with Ilona Jacinta Kharkongor from ZSI Itanagar, a resident of, Shillong. Mostaque Ahmed Laskar, an associate professor at St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, contributes his expertise and has co-authored several publications with the team.

Since 2017, they have collectively identified nine new frog species, notably the Siju Cascade frog (Amolops siju) from Meghalaya’s Siju Cave in 2023. Saikia and Sinha have been integral to these discoveries, often partnering with their colleagues for collaborative breakthroughs.

Their journey began with the joint description of Odorrana arunachalensis alongside Kharkongor in 2017. In subsequent independent efforts, Saikia and Sinha identified Liurana himalayana, Liurana indica, and Liurana minuta in 2019 from Arunachal Pradesh’s Tale Wildlife Sanctuary. Their collaborative prowess bore fruit in 2022 with the discovery of Amolops terraorchis, Amolops chanakya, and Amolops tawang in western Arunachal Pradesh, followed by the 2023 revelation of Amolops siju in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills.

Their 2024 milestone includes the addition of Xenophrys apatani from Tale Wildlife Sanctuary, underscoring their commitment to collaborative research and the documentation of Northeast India’s diverse amphibian life.

Situated at the crossroads of the Eastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots, Northeast India holds promise for further discoveries years ahead.

Read: KSU shuts down Banks, Private Offices in Shillong for not declaring holiday on Behdieñkhlam

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