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Frogs lost to science unearthed

 

DEHLI: Indian frogs that had long been considered lost to science, with the first – and only – previously known specimens collected in 1870 by British naturalist T.C. Jerdon in the forests of Darjeeling, has leaped to the existence.

The discovery was made by accident by Indian biologist Sathyabhama Das Biju and his team from the University of Delhi. The team had been searching the forest floor for other amphibians in 2007 when they say, ‘we heard a full musical orchestra coming from the treetops,’ Biju explained. ‘It was magical. Of course we had to investigate.’

Biju believes the frogs remained hidden for so long because of their lifestyle living in tree holes at heights up to 20ft (6 meters) above ground. Most tree frogs live in shrubs or tree holes closer to the ground.

Other experts have suggested that, while the uniquely high habitat does make them hard to find, the frogs likely remained in obscurity simply because there are so few scientists working in the remote region.

 

M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.