Mon Apr 14 07:40:56 UTC 2025: ## New Frog Species Discovered Near Guwahati, Named After Local College
**GUWAHATI, Assam (The Hindu) –** A 21-year study has resulted in the discovery of a new frog species near Guwahati, named *Leptobrachium aryatium* after Arya Vidyapeeth College. The frog, distinguished by its fiery orange-and-black eyes, unique throat pattern, and distinctive call, was found in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest.
Four zoologists, with ties to Arya Vidyapeeth College, identified the frog as a previously unknown species through analysis of its physical characteristics, DNA, and calls. Initially misidentified, the frog’s unique features, combined with recent research on the *Leptobrachium* genus, confirmed its distinct status.
The discovery highlights the biodiversity of the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, a threatened area facing urban sprawl and habitat destruction. The forest, crucial for Guwahati’s climate and water systems, is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, rare birds, and other amphibians and reptiles. The naming of the frog after Arya Vidyapeeth College also reflects the area’s transformation from a known center for illegal liquor production (“Sharabbhati”) to a more respectable area.
First Piper 