Context:
A gecko found in Visakhapatnam in 2017, then thought to belong to a known species, has now been identified as a member of a new species.
Relevance:
GS II- Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Eublepharis pictus
- Conservation status
About Eublepharis pictus
- The species, Eublepharis pictus, also known as the Painted Leopard Gecko, has been described in the journal Evolutionary Systematics.
- Now, a phylogenetic study and morphological comparisons have distinguished it as a new species, which appears to be common in the forests of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- The gecko genus Eublepharis now has 7 species.
- Before Eublepharis pictus, Mirza had also previously described Eublepharis satpuraensis.
Conservation status
- The species occurs outside protected areas.
- The authors pointed out that most leopard geckos are killed when encountered, and called for raising awareness about the fact that the species is actually harmless.
-Source: Indian Express
