Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have discovered 13 new species of amphibians in Northeast India. This new discovery showcases how rich and unique the region’s wildlife is. The newly found animals belong to a group of small frogs known as bush frogs, which are famous for their soft “tik-tik” calls often heard in forests at night.

Out of the 13 species, six were found in Arunachal Pradesh, three in Meghalaya, and one each in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur. The research was carried out between 2019 and 2024 with support from the National Geographic Society and the Meghalaya Biodiversity Board. This long-term study helped researchers understand the hidden wildlife of an area that is part of two global biodiversity hotspots.

The new species all belong to the genus Raorchestes. Some of the newly identified frogs include R. lawngtalaiensis from Mizoram, R. barakensis from Assam, R. narpuhensis and R. boulengeri from Meghalaya, R. monolithus from Manipur, and R. khonoma from Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh alone revealed several new species, such as R. eaglenestensis, R. magnus, and R. nasuta.

This study was led by Bitupan Boruah, a PhD scholar at WII, along with experts like herpetologist Dr. Abhijit Das from WII and Dr. Deepak Veerappan from the Natural History Museum in London and Newcastle University, UK. The team used various scientific methods, including the frogs’ calls (acoustics), their physical appearance (morphology), and their genetic makeup,to confirm that these species were indeed new to science.

The researchers also examined hundred-year-old frog specimens stored in museums outside India. By comparing these old samples with new findings, they were able to correct earlier classification mistakes and clear up confusion about several species.

The team carried out fieldwork at 81 different locations across eight states, including 25 protected areas. Their work not only helped discover new species but also updated the known distribution of many existing frogs. They also merged four previously described species that were found to be the same.

With these discoveries, the total number of known bush frog species in India has increased from 82 to 95. The study has been published in the latest edition of the journal Vertebrate Zoology. Scientists say this research will help in better understanding the conservation needs of these tiny frogs and will support efforts to protect the rich biodiversity of Northeast India