
New species of gecko discovered in Andhra Pradesh after 5-year study
A new species of gecko was found in the Eastern Ghats in northern Andhra Pradesh. The reptile, which is endemic to the area, was identified as a different species after a five-year study.
Named after eminent herpetologist Sushil Kumar Dutta from Odisha, Hemidactylus sushilduttai or Dutta’s Mahendragiri gecko is the 32nd species of house geckos (Hemidactylus) from India, and among the largest in its genus. The genus has around 90 species across the world.
“The new species was earlier misidentified as the spotted rock gecko (Hemidactylus maculatus) – a large-bodied lizard, endemic to the northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra. However, after studying its DNA, we found that the two species have geographically separated populations that deeply divergent from each other, and morphological characters showed that the new species has many unique, diagnostic characters,” said Giri, lead author of the paper.
He added that the species was identified from few areas in northern Mahendragiri range and scattered coastal hills in northern Andhra Pradesh. “Most of our conservation efforts are concentrated on the Western Ghats. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving this mountainous forest region as a biodiversity hotspot,” said Dr Giri.
This is the second gecko endemic to this hilly range and the third vertebrate as other endemics in the region are — Jeypore Indian gecko (Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis) and Gegeneophis orientalis — caecilian amphibian.
Dutta’s Mahendragiri gecko grows up to 225mm in length with its tail half its size. It is nocturnal and lives on rocks, large trees and coffee plantations at altitudes between 250-1,100 m above sea level, the study found.
The discovery, report of which was published earlier this month in the taxonomy journal Zootaxa ,was a collaborative effort between scientists from multiple Indian and international institutions including authors — Dr. Varad Giri from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Dr Pratyush Mohapatra, Zoological Survey of India, Jabalpur, Aaron Bauer from Villanova University, Pennyslvania, US, Dr. Chelmala Srinivasulu from Osmania University, Hyderabad and Ishan Agarwal, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Bangalore.

Hrithik Roshan’s statement likely to be recorded in case against Kangana Ranaut

Mumbai: QR code must for darshan at Siddhivinayak temple on March 2
- As per the new restrictions, no offline darshan will be allowed on the auspicious day without pre-issued QR codes. Darshan will be allowed against pre-issued QR codes between 8am and 9pm on March 2.

229 students contract Covid-19 in Maharashtra’s Washim

Thane caught in traffic snarls due to overturned freight container
- The accident at Mumbra bypass occurred around 2:30am, although there were no injuries, it took a few hours to remove the heavy vehicle from the road with the help of three cranes.

Maharashtra: Over 200 students, teachers test positive for Covid-19 in Washim
- As per reports, the school has been now declared as the containment zone. A total of 327 students from Amravati, Hingoli, Nanded, Washim, Buldhana, Akola reside in this hostel.

Maharashtra: MMRC to develop Miyawaki forest in Goregaon

Man booked for instant divorce in Mumbai

Wife’s refusal to make tea no provocation for assault: Bombay high court

Maharashtra to start drive to identify drop-out students from March 1

Stagger work hours at Mantralaya, says Maharashtra chief secretary

Three men kill transgender in Mumbai

At 1,167, Mumbai sees second highest Covid-19 cases in a day

A decade on, Bombay HC grants ₹6.32 lakh compensation to family of custodial torture victim

Sitaram Kunte, Praveen Pardeshi top contenders for the post of Maharashtra chief secretary
