XENOPHRYS APATANI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A groundbreaking discovery has emerged from the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, where a team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has identified a new species of horned frog.

Xenophrys apatani

• Discovery: The species, Xenophrys apatani, was discovered in the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Subansiri district.
• They found that the frog species in Arunachal Pradesh exhibited a genetic disparity of 4.4 per cent to 5.5 per cent compared to its counterpart in Vietnam.
• Naming: Itis named after the Apatani community, prominent in the region.

o The naming honors their commitment to conserving local flora and fauna.

o Its discovery is significant within the Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots.

Talle Wildlife Sanctuary

• Geographical Location: Located in Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, Talle Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by Subansiri, Sipu, and Pange rivers.
• It boasts undisturbed climax vegetation, providing habitat to rare species like the clouded leopard.
• Fauna: Clouded leopard, Indian elephant, flying squirrel, and others.

Apatani Tribe

• About: These are a prominent tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh, known for their unique fish-paddy culture.
• Historical Context: First encountered by the British in the 12th Century A.D., the Apatanis have a long history in the region.
• Festivals: Marun, Myako, Dree, and Yapung, reflecting their cultural diversity.