Reassessment of the conservation status of the Critically Endangered Khasi Hills toad Bufoides meghalayanus endemic to Meghalaya, India

Abstract Bufoides meghalayanus is a Critically Endangered toad, endemic to the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, north-east India. This species was previously presumed to be restricted to just three locations, all within 1–2 km of the type locality in Meghalaya. Here, we document three new populations of B. meghalayanus from the karst limestone landscape of Meghalaya, using an integrated taxonomic approach combining molecular and morphological data. These new records substantially extend the known distribution of the species and have implications for its IUCN Red List assessment. In addition, we revise the species’ elevational range and present new morphological insights, and incorporate mitochondrial sequences from topotypic and newly discovered populations of B. meghalayanus into a comprehensive molecular phylogeny comprising representative members of Asian true toads (Bufonidae). Our analyses indicate B. meghalayanus is a well-supported, monophyletic lineage within Bufoides, highlighting its status as an evolutionarily distinct lineage of high conservation priority. Our results underscore the importance of integrative taxonomic approaches and targeted field surveys in addressing Wallacean shortfalls for threatened amphibians of underexplored regions within global biodiversity hotspots. Given the restricted distribution of B. meghalayanus within fragile karst ecosystems and the increasing pressures from limestone extraction and land-use change, site-specific conservation measures will be critical to safeguard these newly discovered populations.