Overview

• The Journal of Threatened Taxa on July 26 published the formal descriptions of Raorchestes jakoid sp. nov. and Raorchestes jadoh sp. nov. following a year-long field survey in Meghalaya.
• Raorchestes jakoid was found in Lawbah, East Khasi Hills at 815 m, while Raorchestes jadoh was recorded at 1,655 m in Langtor, Eastern West Khasi Hills.
• Researchers combined 16S rRNA genetic analysis, acoustic profiling and morphological comparisons to confirm the frogs as distinct members of the Raorchestes parvulus species complex.
• The species names derive from Khasi cultural terms—‘jakoid’ meaning frog and ‘jadoh’ referring to a traditional rice-and-meat dish—to honor indigenous heritage.
• Observations indicate both frogs thrive in secondary habitats near human settlements but researchers warn accelerating land-use change threatens their long-term survival.