Cnemaspis vangoghi : New Species Of Lizard
Scientists in India recently discovered a new species of lizard named Cnemaspis vangoghi.
- Cnemaspis vangoghi is a new species of lizard discovered from the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
- It is named for Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890), as the striking colouration of the new species is reminiscent of one of his most iconic paintings, The Starry Night.
- It is described as a small-sized gecko and has a distinctive yellow head and forebody, adorned with light blue spots on the back.
- It prefers living among rocks and can occasionally be found on buildings and trees.
- Both species inhabit low-elevation, deciduous forests within the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, adding to the five previously known endemic vertebrates of the region.
- These diurnal creatures are mainly active during the cooler hours of early morning and evening, predominantly found on rocks.
- Their restricted localities present an intriguing case of micro-endemism in low-elevation species.
- Micro-endemism refers to a phenomenon in ecology and biogeography where a species or a group of species are restricted to a very small geographic area, often on the scale of a few square kilometers or even less.
