Context: Sphaerotheca Bengaluru is being named after the city to highlight the lacunae in documentation of amphibians from non-forested areas and to restore frog habitats in Bengaluru.

• The new species was described based “on the morphological differences and molecular approach with the known species of the borrowing frogs.

Why their survival matters?

• Amphibians, like frogs, toads and salamanders, are known as indicator species.
• They are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment and can give scientists valuable insight into how an ecosystem is functioning.
• And because amphibians are both predators and prey, many other animals are affected by them.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/new-species-of-burrowing-frog-named-after-bengaluru/article33198999.ece?homepage=true

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