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Mahesh

22/08/22 08:20 AM IST

New species of bent-toed gecko found at Agasthyamalai

In News 
  • A group of researchers has discovered a new species of bent-toed gecko from Agasthyamalai hills in the Western Ghats. The species has been given the common name Aravind’s ground gecko after noted malacologist N.A. Aravind.
Aravind gecko 
  • The new species has been described based on its distinctness in the morphological and molecular DNA data.
  • Its scientific name is Cyrtodactylus aravindi. It is distinguished from all species of the ­Cyrtodactylus collegalensis species complex in colour pattern and resembles the Srilankan endemic C. yakhuna in overall colouration.
  • Currently, Aravind’s ground gecko has so far been found only at two locations, Muppanddal and Thuckalay, in Kanyakumari district falling within the Agasthyamalai biosphere reserve in Tamil Nadu.
Gecko 
  • Geckos are reptiles, that are found on all continents except Antarctica.
  • These colourful lizards have adapted to habitats ranging from rainforests, deserts, to cold mountain slopes. Most of the geckos are nocturnal, i.e., they are active at night. However, day geckos are active during the day.
  • They depend on fruits, flower nectar and insects.
  • Geckos are unique among lizards. They are unique for their vocalisation.
  • They use chirping and clicking sounds for their social interactions. They make hissing sounds when threatened or alarmed.
Source - The Hindu 

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