Scientists find 6 new lizard species

Six new lizard species of ‘Dravidogecko’ family have been identified in the Western Ghats by a group of scientists, who claim it to be a significant development as only one species of the genus was known so far.

The study indicates the importance of Western Ghats, the world heritage mountain range traversing the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, as a “biodiversity hotspot”, the researchers said.

The study and sample collection was done over last four years and the research paper describing the new species was published in the ZooTaxa journal of New Zealand on Monday, Bengaluru-based herpetologist R Chaitanya, who led the research, told PTI.

According to an earlier study, ‘Dravidogecko anamallensis’ evolved around 58 million years ago when the Indian sub-continent was separated from the African land, Pune-based Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation’s director Varad Giri, who was also part of the research team, said.

“Till recently, only one species (of Dravidogecko anamallensis described in 1875 by German-born British zoologist Albert Gunther) was recognised under this genus, which was perceived to be widespread across the Western Ghats,” he said.

The reptile is found in the mountain range from Wayanad (Kerala) in north up to Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) in south along the length of the southern Western Ghats, he said.

These geckos are chiefly nocturnal and great climbers.