Sri Lankan golden-backed frog

Current Context : Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India, rediscovered the Sri Lankan golden-backed frog (Hylarana gracilis) in the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary in the Chittoor district.

• It was done in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board.
• Rediscovery is more significant than the discovery of a new species because it provides evidence for the historic land bridge between India and Sri Lanka.
• With this rediscovery, the number of freshwater frog species in India rises to 20.

ABOUT GOLDEN BLACKED FROG

• It is a species of frog in the family Ranidae.
• Scientific name is Hylarana gracilis.
• Appearance: Iris is reddish brown with golden specks and dark patches.