Shillong, July 27 -- Two new species of direct-developing frogs have been discovered in Meghalaya, with one named Raorchestes jadoh after the popular Khasi rice-and-meat dish, and the other, Raorchestes jakoid, named using the Khasi word for 'frog'.

These unique amphibians bypass the tadpole stage, hatching directly as miniature froglets.

The naming of these bush frogs is a deliberate effort to honor Khasi culture and underscore the deep connection between indigenous communities and the rich biodiversity of the region.

As Jayaditya Purkayastha, from the Guwahati-based biodiversity organization Help Earth, explained, it's a way of "celebrating Khasi culture and drawing attention to the close links between indigenous communities and biod...