AMOLOPS SIJU
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Context
- Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of frog from deep inside a cave in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district.
Details
- This discovery is the second time that a frog was discovered from inside a cave in the country, the first being the discovery of the Micrixalus spelunca in 2014 from a cave in Tamil Nadu.
- There have been reports of the presence of frog populations (up to 400 m from cave entrance) in Siju Cave since 1922 when the first bio speleological exploration of the cave was done by the ZSI.
- The team had also discovered three other new species of cascade frog (Amolops) in Arunachal Pradesh and those include the - Amolops chanakya, Amolops terraorchis and Amolops tawang.
About the frog
- The team named the new species as Amolops siju after the cave from where this discovery was made.
- Family: Cascade Ranidae family
- Genus: Amolops (among the largest groups of ranid frogs).
- Distribution: India’s North East and north, Nepal, Bhutan, China, the Indochina region and the Malaya Peninsula.
About Siju Cave
- Siju cave is a 4 km long natural limestone cave.
- Siju Cave, also known as Bat Cave in English, is located in the North East Indian state of Meghalaya near the Napak Lake and Simsang River game reserve.
- It is famous for its stalagmites and stalactites.
About Zoological Survey of India
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), founded on 1 July 1916 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India as a premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies to promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in the country.
- Headquarters: Kolkata
PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Which of the following statements with reference to Siju Caves in India is/are correct? a. It is located in Meghalaya near the Napak Lake and Simsang River game reserve. b. It is famous for its stalagmites and stalactites.
Correct Answer: 3 |