Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Biodiversity
Why in News?
A team of researchers has described a new species of bent-toed gecko from Tripura.
- It is a new bent-toed gecko species discovered in Tripura.
Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards known for their incredible climbing skills and unique vocalizations.
- Nomenclature - Named after their Assam-based herpetologist mentor Jayaditya Purkayastha.
- Genus - Cyrtodactylus, commonly known as bent-toed geckos, widely distributed across Asia.
- Closest relative - Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis, based on mitochondrial DNA data.
- Habitat - Inhabits lowland forest patches in North Tripura district, occupying a highly restricted range of 8-12 square km.
- Behaviour - It is primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage and retreating into burrows and crevices during the day.
- Classification - The researchers categorised the gecko as ‘data deficient’ due to limited data on its distribution and exposure to habitat disturbance.
- Threats -Increasing human activity and environmental degradation.
Reference
The Hindu | Cyrtodactylus jayadityai
