Question: From which of the following state a team of researchers has recently discovered a new gecko species?
a) Kerala
b) Karnataka
c) Meghalaya
d) Nagaland
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:-
- A team of researchers has identified a new gecko species from the hills of Attappady, in the Western Ghats, Kerala.
- The new large species of gecko which belongs to the genus Hemidactylus goldfuss was detected near to human habitation.
- It was found close to tribal settlements and rock formations in the region.
- The team was on an expedition surveying amphibian reptiles in the forest areas of Attappady.
- The new species has been named Hemidactylus easai after former director of the Kerala Forest and Reasearch Institute (KFRI) and wildlife conservationist PS Easa.
- It was found in the drier parts of the region.
- The gecko measures 105 mm from snout to vent (10.5 cm) and is a light brown to grey in colour.
- The genus Hemidactylus goldfuss has 180 species of geckos distributed across the globe.
- India has 48 species of geckos out of which Kerala has over 30 species of gecko and with this new addition; there are nine under the Hemidactylus genus.
- The team first spotted the Hemidactylus easai in June 2020 and then the months of study undertaken.
- This study involved analysing the morphology, habitat, geography and molecular aspects.
- The team then submitted a report of its findings to Vertebrate Zoology, a scientific journal of Germany.
- Journal Vertebrate Zoology, which is published by the Museum of Zoology, Dresden, Germany, published the report was published in February 2022.
By – Rajesh Tripathi