New frog species discovered in Western Ghats, named after former DU vice-chancellor

WHY IN THE NEWS?

A team of Delhi University researchers has discovered a new frog species in the Western Ghats and has named it “Minervarya Pentali”.

About Minervarya Pentali:

• Minervarya Pentali is a new frog species from the genus Minervarya. It is also among the smallest known Minervarya frogs.
• The species was discovered from the Western Ghats. The species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.
• The species has been named after former DU Vice-Chancellor and plant geneticist Deepak Pental.

About Minervarya:

• Minervarya is a genus of frogs in the family Dicroglossidae. The identity and taxonomic status of all known members of this genus are from Peninsular India