A new species of Hemidactylus lizard has been discovered and described by researchers in the Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu in India. This unique lizard is known for its densely packed tubercles and can only be found in two specific locations.
In a recent study, scientists have identified a previously unknown species of Hemidactylus lizard residing in the Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, India. This particular species stands out due to its high concentration of tubercles compared to other Indian Hemidactylus lizards.
The newly discovered species has been named Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov., and is found exclusively on two low quartzite hillocks that are 45 km apart from each other. These lizards inhabit scrubby thorn forests and loose, stony soil according to the research paper detailing their findings. While it is scientifically known as Hemidactylus quartziticolus, it has also been suggested that this unique lizard be referred to as Quartzite brookiish gecko or Thoothukudi brookiish gecko.
Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov. in life: A male, holotype NRC-AA-1256, B female, paratype NRC-AA-1264 and C uncollected juvenile. Photos by Akshay Khandekar.
This small-sized Hemidactylus lizard has a snout to vent length of less than 57mm.Its entire body, including the front and rear legs, is covered in tubercles. The tail features spike-like protrusions from the base to the tip. The lizardS coloration is primarily brown with streaks anterior to its eyes. It also has black blotches on its head, body and tail with x-shaped markings across its back and anterior hindlimbs.
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The full paper titled “A remarkable new species of gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus) from scrublands at the southern tip of India” can be found on the Vertebrate Zoology website.
Additional Information:
According to recent statistics, there are over 1,500 known species of Hemidactylus lizards worldwide. These lizards can be found in a variety of habitats including deserts, forests and even urban areas.
In addition to their unique tubercles,Hemidactylus lizards are also known for their ability to climb walls and ceilings due to specialized toe pads on their feet.
Conclusion:
The discovery of the new species Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov. is an exciting growth in the world of herpetology. Its densely packed tubercles and limited habitat make it a engaging addition to the already diverse family of Hemidactylus lizards.
This is fascinating! I wonder what other unique species are waiting to be discovered in India.