Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)
Articles

The Data Deficient Leptobrachella nokrekensis is a junior synonym of the supposedly range-restricted and Critically Endangered Leptobrachella khasiorum (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae)

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  • Ravi Shanthy Naveen,
  • A.N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah
Ravi Shanthy Naveen
Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
A.N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah
Systematics lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-17681

Published 2026-01-16

Keywords

  • 16S rRNA,
  • data deficient,
  • endemism,
  • amphibians,
  • IUCN Red List,
  • Eastern Himalayas,
  • taxonomic revision,
  • threat status reassessment,
  • Darwinian shortfall
    • ...More
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How to Cite

Naveen, R. S., & Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah, A. (2026). The Data Deficient Leptobrachella nokrekensis is a junior synonym of the supposedly range-restricted and Critically Endangered Leptobrachella khasiorum (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae). Acta Herpetologica, 21(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-17681

Copyright (c) 2026 Ravi Shanthy Naveen, A.N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Based on a molecular phylogeny using 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragment and an examination of the external morphology of topotypic specimens we demonstrate that Leptobrachella nokrekensis syn. nov. from Garo hills is a junior synonym of Leptobrachella khasiorum. These data indicate that Leptobrachella khasiorum which was previously considered restricted to the Khasi Hills and Critically Endangered is more widespread than previously known. Genetic evidences also suggests that L. tamdil from Lushai hills may also be conspecific with L. khasiorum, warranting further investigations. A reassessment of its threat status is required based on this taxonomic revision and the consequent extension of L. khasiorum’s distribution and elevational range.

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