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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

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