Aizawl: A team of research scholars from Mizoram University’s department of zoology, under the supervision of professor HT Lalremsanga, has discovered a new montane toad species in Phawngpui National Park in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district.The discovery was published in the Indonesian scientific journal Taprobanica (Vol. 15) on Sunday.Lalremsanga told TOI on Wednesday that the species was discovered during a zoological expedition to Phawngpui National Park, located within Phawngpui Mountain, also known as the Blue Mountain and the highest peak in the state.“After conducting a thorough study of the toad which looks different from other toads found in other places around the globe and also after undertaking minute examination of the looks and DNA, the zoologists have confirmed discovering a new montane toad species,” he said.The species has been named ‘Duttaphrynus Phawngpui’ after the mountain and the national park. Lalremsanga said 23 species of ‘Duttaphrynus Genus’ had so far been identified worldwide, all of them in South Asia and Southeast Asia.“In India alone, 17 species have been discovered. Duttaphrynus Phawngpui has been found among the fallen leaves, near the summit of Phawngpui Mountain at a location around 2,144 metres from the sea level,” he said.He said no research had been conducted on the species’ behaviour and biological characteristics. However, the existence of toads at a high altitude and in extremely cold conditions amazed zoologists, making the discovery more vulnerable.“The discovery is eloquent of the rich biodiversity of the state of Mizoram,” the head of the Mizoram University’s department of zoology added.The research team comprised scholars Malsawm Dawngliana, Amit Kumar Bal, Mara D Hlychho and Vanlalhruaia.
