Cnemaspis rashidi

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About Cnemaspis rashidi

It is a new species of gecko.
So far, 93 species of gecko have been documented and this is the 94th species.
The new species is also called Rashid’s dwarf gecko as it is the smallest among the genus.
It is approximately two inches long from its snout to vent.
It was found at an altitude of 1,245 metres at Kottamalai estate near Rajapalayam.
Appearance: It displayed a combination of a beautiful colour pattern of yellow, white and black adorning its back, making it stand out among its gecko relatives.
It is endemic to the Western Ghats.

Key points about Western Ghats

It is also called Sahyadri, north–south-running range of mountains in western India.
It forms the crest of the western edge of the Deccan plateau parallel to the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea.
The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot, a biologically rich but threatened region, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They play a huge role in India’s monsoon weather pattern.

Q1) What is a plateau?

It is a flat or gently sloping elevated area of land that is characterized by its relatively high elevation above the surrounding terrain. Plateaus can vary in size from small, flat-topped hills to massive, extensive regions covering thousands of square kilometers. They are important geological features and can be found on every continent.

Source: New species of gecko found in Western Ghats near Rajapalayam