Eublepharis Pictus

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:

1. About  Eublepharis pictus
2. 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