Sign In
Learn bits
Ecology & Environment
Pradeep Kumar

16/05/21 11:25 AM IST

New skink species

In news

New skink species from has been found in Western Ghats.

Highlights
  • Named Subdoluseps nilgiriensis, the reptile has a slender body of just about 7 cm and is sandy brown in colour.
  • The new species is closely related to Subdoluseps pruthi found in parts of the Eastern Ghats.
  • “The new species was found in a dry deciduous area, showing that even the dry zones of our country are home to unrealised skink diversity.
  • There is an urgent need to change the notion that high biodiversity can be found only in the wet and evergreen forests.
Secretive habits
  • Most skinks are diurnal and are usually secretive. Being elusive, not much is known about their natural and evolutionary history.
  • “This species is only the third skink species discovered from mainland India in the last millennium. 
About skink
  • Skinks are non-venomous. They resemble snakes because of the often-inconspicuous limbs and the way they move on land.
  • Such resemblance has led to confusion often resulting in humans killing this harmless creature.
  • Skinks are known to feed on insects such as termites, crickets and small spiders, and we assume our new species has a similar diet.
Threat
  • Subdoluseps nilgiriensis is currently considered a vulnerable species as there are potential threats from seasonal forest fires, housing constructions and brick kiln industries in the area.
  • Rapid urbanisation, which has increased the road networks in the area, has also threatened its small geographical range.
Source: The Hindu

More Related Current Affairs View All

26 Dec

Australia’s Online Safety Amendment

'Australia’s House of Representatives recently passed the “Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, 2024” which imposes obligation on certain soci

Read More

26 Dec

Ken-Betwa river-linking project

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken- Betwa River Linking National Project on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye

Read More

25 Dec

Quantum computing

'Quantum computing is an area of computer science that uses the principles of quantum theory at the atomic and subatomic levels.' It uses subatomic particles, such as electrons

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps