By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 27: A small but remarkable discovery has emerged from the leaf litter at the sacred groves at Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills.
Scientists have identified a new species of toad — now named Duttaphrynus dhara — in honour of the traditional Khasi female attire “Dhara”. The name is a beautiful tribute to the rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted traditions, and the timeless bond the Khasi people share with their forests and hills.
The discovery happened during routine field surveys in the high-elevation landscapes of Mawphlang, at around 1,854 metres above sea level. The tiny toads were found hiding among low vegetation and leaf litter in fallow agricultural fields bordering thick montane forests.
Unlike the common Asian toad that thrives near human settlements, this new species appears to prefer the quieter, forest-edge habitats — a true child of the wild hills.
Duttaphrynus dhara is a small, charming toad. Adult males measure just 40 to 41.8 mm in length. It has a compact body, a wide head, no strong cranial ridges, and skin covered with numerous pointed, rough warts. In the soft light of the hills, it displays a brown body adorned with irregular black patches, a thin pale line running down its back, dark fingers and toes, and a creamy white belly marked with black blotches. Using both traditional morphological studies and modern genetic analysis (mitochondrial 16S rRNA), the researchers confirmed that this is indeed a distinct species. It forms its own genetic lineage within the Duttaphrynus genus, showing 4.4 to 6.7% genetic difference from its closest relatives, Duttaphrynus stuarti and Duttaphrynus chandai. Morphometric data also clearly separated it from related species.
For now, this tiny toad is known only from its type locality in Mawphlang, making it both special and vulnerable. Its restricted range highlights the importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems of Meghalaya, a key centre of amphibian diversity in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
The discovery serves as a gentle reminder that the sacred hills and forests of Northeast India continue to hold many hidden wonders yet to be named and understood. It also celebrates the harmony between Khasi culture and nature — a living connection now beautifully reflected in the scientific name of this new forest dweller.
The study was led by Holiness Warjri, Madhurima Das, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, and Jayaditya Purkayastha, and has been published in the journal Taprobanica.
