New toad species in Meghalaya named after Khasi women’s attire

Shillong: Researchers have recorded a new toad species in Meghalaya and named it after traditional Khasi women’s attire.

The species, Duttaphrynus dhara, was described from Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills district. The name dhara refers to the traditional dress worn by Khasi women, linking the amphibian to local culture.

According to the study, Duttaphrynus dhara differs significantly from two of its closest relatives in morphology and genetic markers. The discovery was made during biodiversity surveys in the Mawphlang sacred groves, an area known for high endemism.

The finding adds to Meghalaya’s growing list of newly described amphibians and highlights the ecological importance of the state’s forest patches. Researchers say continued documentation is critical as habitat pressure increases across the Northeast.