Gecko : New Species
A team of scientists and researchers have discovered a new species of gecko endemic to Mizoram.
- New Gecko species has been named ‘Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis’ after the town in Mizoram where it was found.
- The common name suggested for the new species is ‘Vairengte bent-toed gecko’.
- The distinct feature of this new species is the number of femoral pores which distinguishes it from other members of the Cyrtodactylus family.
- Femoral pores are located on the underside of the hind legs in lizards that secrete a mixture of lipids and proteins and are thought to be used to attract mates and mark territories.
- It is endemic to Mizoram, taking the number of geckos native to the state to 6, and 22 across northeast India.
- There are 335 gecko species across the world, of which 42 are found in India.
Gecko:
- These are reptiles and are found on all the continents except Antarctica.
- These colorful lizards have adapted to habitats from rainforests, to deserts, to cold mountain slopes.
- These are mostly small, usually nocturnal reptiles.
- Geckos are spread across six families: Carphodactylidae, Diplodactylidae, Eublepharidae, Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae.
