Guwahati: A team of Mizoram University researchers has found a new species of bent-toed gecko or Cyrtodactylus at Palak National Wetland in Mizoram’s Siaha District.
These geckos are known as Cyrtodactylus siahaensis and can be distinguished by their morphology and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).
Prof. H.T. Lalremsanga, Head of Department (HOD) of Developmental Biology & Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, stated that “it is very important to name new species after the place of their discovery as they would be valued by future generations.”
“The recent discovery of multiple new species in Mizoram is a testament to the state’s remarkable biodiversity,” he added.
Researchers have identified a new species of gecko or lizard belonging to the Cyrtodactylus exercitus family (‘exercitus’ means army in Latin) at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district. These new species of bent-toed gecko were discovered as part of a study team’s efforts to reveal the herpetofaunal variety of North East India. They were named after the Indian Army’s valour.
On February 18, 2022, both of these newly identified species were published in the European Journal of Taxonomy vol. 794.
However, a team of Mizoram University researchers recently identified a new species of bent-toed gecko or Cyrtodactylus belonging to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis family in the Lunglei District of Mizoram.
These geckos known as Cyrtodactylus lungleiensis are distinguished from other geckos by a bent toe that resembles that of a bird. Only seen in the outdoors, among bushes, rocks, and woods, are these bent-toe geckos.