New Distribution Record and Range Extension of Humerana humeralis (Boulenger, 1887) in Meghalaya, India with Morphometric and Habitat Insights

The present study reports the first confirmed distribution record of Humerana humeralis from Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjoining Reserved Forest of Meghalaya, northeastern India, thereby extending the known range of the species within the eastern Himalayan biogeographic region. This record fills an important distributional gap between earlier reports from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and adjoining Bangladesh. Detailed morphometric measurements were taken from adult specimens, revealing pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting relatively larger snout–vent length, head dimensions, tympanum size, and limb proportions compared to females. These measurements are largely congruent with previously published descriptions, confirming the taxonomic identity of the species while also highlighting minor regional variation. Habitat use further indicates that the species primarily occupies perennial streams, marshy pools, and forest-edge wetlands, preferably in semi-evergreen forest, emphasizing its dependence on stable aquatic and riparian microhabitats. This new record underscores the conservation significance of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, and its adjacent reserved forest highlights the need for continued habitat protection to conserve amphibian diversity in this landscape.