A team of Indian scientists has identified a **new species of frog** in the **Western Ghats** mountain range, located in the southwest of the country.
Named the **Bhupathy purple frog**, the name pays tribute to the herpetologist Dr. Subramaniam Bhupathy, who dedicated his life to the [study of amphibians](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/anfibios-y-reptiles-en-peligro-la-crisis-de-biodiversidad-en-mexico/) and passed away in 2014 in the same region.
## An evolutionary link between India and Seychelles
This discovery **provides key evidence** to the theory of **continental drift**, by sharing similarities with an endemic frog species from **Seychelles**, located thousands of kilometers away.
According to National Geographic explorer, **Jodi Rowley**, the two purple frog species have **evolved independently** over a very long period.
>”Their closest relatives are not in India, but in Seychelles, closer to Africa than the Indian subcontinent,” explained Rowley, reinforcing the theory of **Gondwana fragmentation**.
## Unique characteristics of the Bhupathy purple frog
This amphibian has [**unusual traits and behavior**](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/una-rana-sin-salto-pero-con-una-esperanza-genetica-que-podria-salvarla-de-la-extincion/):
– **Subterranean life**, spending almost its entire existence underground.
– **Flute-shaped tongue**, used to suck insects from the soil.
– **Dark brown color**, unlike the purple hue of other frogs in the region.
– **Four-pulse mating call**, differentiating it from the traditional Indian purple frog, which emits three pulses.
## Genetic confirmation and reproductive behavior
Scientists applied **genetic barcoding techniques**, confirming that the Bhupathy frog was **a completely distinct species**.
>”We confirmed it was a different species by analyzing its DNA,” stated researcher **Ramesh K. Aggarwal**, co-author of the study.
During the **monsoons**, males **sing from beneath the sand** in mountain streams. If they manage to attract a mate, they **mate in the water**, where they **lay their eggs**, which **hatch in one or two days**, giving way to the **tadpoles**.
## Importance of the discovery and scientific challenges
Every year, according to **National Geographic**, over **100 new frog species** are described in scientific journals, but there are still **many more to be discovered**.
This finding **enriches the taxonomy of amphibians**, providing valuable information about the **evolutionary and geological history of the Indian subcontinent**.
>”We do not know how many more species could be waiting to be discovered,” emphasized **Rowley**, highlighting the relevance of **continuing to explore and document biodiversity** in understudied regions.
## A key piece in the evolutionary puzzle
The discovery of the **Bhupathy purple frog** not only expands knowledge about Indian fauna but also offers new perspectives on the **biogeographic connection between continents**, linked to the **tectonic history of Gondwana**.
These advancements underscore the importance of **scientific research and conservation** in remote ecosystems, where unique species still **await identification**.
*Cover photo: Jegath Janani*
