Meet ‘Ammachi’ cascade! New frog species named after late Malayali social worker Padmini Varkey

Kollam (Kerala): One of the three newly discovered frog species from Northeast India has been named after a Malayali social worker. The frog species has been named using her affectionate moniker, “Ammachi”, in memory of the late Malayali social worker Padmini Varkey.

The new frog species were discovered in Tripura, Nagaland and West Bengal. Living in forest streams and rocky waterfalls, they are known as “cascade frogs” or “forest stream frogs”.

The species named “Ammachi Cascade” in memory of Padmini Varkey was found in the Jampui Hills of Tripura. Measuring 80 mm in length, this frog has a light brown colour featuring olive-green patterns.

The “Sendenyu” frog is named after Sendenyu village in Nagaland, where it was discovered.

The “Beautiful Cascade” frog was found in West Bengal. Visually striking, it features a green body with yellowish-green or reddish-brown mosaic patterns. All three species belong to the ‘Ranidae’ frog family.

The study was published in the “Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology”, an international scientific journal of Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology.

The team that made the discovery was led by Professor Dr S D Biju of Delhi University, popularly known as the “Frogman of India”. The research team included K P Elle Paul, A N Dixit, Aklabya Sharma, K Radhakrishna Upadhyaya, Karan Bisht, Tage Tajo, James Hanken and Sonali Garg.

These three populations were confirmed as new species through lab studies that combined DNA analysis of adult frogs and tadpoles with detailed morphological comparisons.

Who was Padmini Varkey?
 

Padmini Varkey rendered invaluable contributions to the field of palliative care, offering compassionate support to the intellectually challenged and isolated women. She dedicated her entire wealth to such social initiatives. Although a native of Kozhikode, her primary sphere of activity was Thiruvananthapuram. She was an official in the Department of Health. This naming marks her legacy on an international stage.

Padmini Varkey was the mother of Aruna, wife of Transport Minister C P John.