Guwahati: In a significant stride for Assam’s natural heritage, a previously unknown species of day gecko has been unearthed along the meandering banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. This fascinating find marks only the second such discovery of a day gecko in the entire Northeast Indian region, adding a fresh chapter to the state’s rich ecological narrative.
The groundbreaking research, meticulously documented in the esteemed international journal Taprobanica on July 12, 2025, was spearheaded by a distinguished team of scientists. The collaborative effort saw the expertise of Amit Sayyed, Madhurima Das, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Rupankar Bhattacharjee, and Jayaditya Purkayastha converge. Institutions like the Wildlife Protection & Research Society (WLP), Assam Don Bosco University, and the Guwahati-based NGO Help Earth played crucial roles in facilitating this remarkable achievement.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was quick to express his elation, taking to the social media platform X to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated researchers. He lauded the discovery as a “new addition to Assam’s rich biodiversity,” specifically highlighting, “A new species of day gecko has been discovered on the banks of Brahmaputra & named Cnemaspis brahmaputra. This is only the 2nd species of such kind recorded in Northeast. Congratulations to all the researchers behind this discovery.”
This scientific breakthrough offers invaluable insights into the distinctive reptilian life of the region, emphatically underlining the critical need for ongoing field studies within ecologically fragile zones, particularly the dynamic Brahmaputra floodplains. The newly identified gecko, belonging to the Cnemaspis podihuna clade, was meticulously classified through comprehensive morphological and ecological examinations. Researchers have strongly indicated that the species is likely endemic to this specific pocket of Assam, thereby amplifying the imperative to safeguard its delicate habitat. This milestone not only bolsters India’s reptilian biodiversity records but also firmly positions Northeast India as an increasingly pivotal hub in global conservation research endeavours.
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