Sphaerotheca varshaabhu: New Burrowing Frog Species Discovered in Karnataka

February 3, 2024

Researchers from various national and international organisations have discovered a new species of burrowing frog in Bengaluru. Named as ‘Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu’, this previously unknown species of frog has been thriving amidst the urban landscape of Bengaluru. The newly unearthed amphibian exhibits distinctive characteristics that set it apart from known frog species. Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu, meaning a genus of frog which welcomes rain, has been attributed to its behaviour of coming out of burrows during the early showers.

Urban Adaptation

“Sphaerotheca varshaabhu has adapted to its urban surroundings in surprising ways, displaying behaviours and physical attributes that enable it to navigate the challenges posed by urbanisation. The discovery emphasises the need for continued exploration of urban ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity in areas heavily impacted by human activities,” the statement read.

Multi-Institutional Collaboration

The new species discovery is an outcome of multi-institutional collaborations like Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Regional Centre (WRC), Pune, JAIN (Deemed- to- be-University), Bengaluru, Institute of Systematics, Evolution, Biodiversity (ISYEB), National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, Sorbonne University, Paris, France, Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu, China and Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Yuvaraja College, University of Mysore, Mysuru.

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