Abour new Species:
- The first ever sighting of this gecko and the new species has been named as Hemidactyluspakkamalaiensis, after the hill where it was recorded.
- It belongs to the genus Hemidactylus and it is havinglarge-body size (101–109 mm).
- The new species is closely related to graniticolus from which it can be distinguished by its lower femoral pores count.
About Pakkamalai hills:
- It is located in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu near Gingee.
- It is a biodiversity-rich area and has large mammals including leopards and sloth bears.
- It is an ecologically important area in the Eastern Ghats.
Q1) What are the benefits of rich biodiversity?
Biodiversity supports human and societal needs, including food and nutrition security, energy, development of medicines and pharmaceuticals and freshwater, which together underpin good health.
Source: New species of gecko recorded in Pakkamalai Hills in Villupuram district
Last updated on January, 2026
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Interview Guidance Programme for expert help to crack your final UPSC stage.
→ UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Notification 2026 Postponed for CSE & IFS which was scheduled to be released on 14 January 2026.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
