Cyrtodactylus Vanarakshaka

Cyrtodactylus Vanarakshaka Latest News

Recently, a new species of bent-toed gecko, recorded from the montane forests of central Assam.

About Cyrtodactylus Vanarakshaka

• It is a bent-toed gecko belonging to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group.
• It was spotted from the forested slopes of Dima Hasao’s Jatinga, a unique ecological transition zone within the Barail Hills.
• It has been named after the Assam Forest Department.
• The word “vanarakshaka,” derived from the Sanskrit words “vana” (forest) and “rakshaka” (protector), refers to the Assam Forest Department.
• The species is known for high levels of endemism and restricted distributions.
• This finding has increased the number of Cyrtodactylus species known from Assam to five.     

What is 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

Source: TH

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