| Cnemaspis butewai | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Cnemaspis |
| Species: | C. butewai |
| Binomial name | |
| Cnemaspis butewai Silva, Bauer, Botejue, Ukuwela, Gabadage, Gorin, Poyarkov, Surasinghe & Karunarathna, 2019 | |
Cnemaspis butewai, or Butewes’ day gecko, is a species of diurnal gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka. [1]
The specific name butewai is named in honor of the Sri Lankan warrior Butewe Rate Rala, a national hero who fought in the Great Rebellion of 1817–1818 in Uva-Wellassa against British rule. It was the third Kandyan War led by Keppetipola Disawe. [2] [3] [4]
The species is closely related to C. pulchra. [1]
The species was discovered in an area lying between 380–850 meters of elevation in the Bambarabotuwa Forest Reserve. [5] Individuals are restricted to rock outcrops and granite caves in forested areas. It is sympatric with many geckoes such as Cyrtodactylus sp., Gehyra mutilata , Hemidactylus depressus , H. frenatus and H. parvimaculatus. The species is critically endangered due to low numbers and density only recorded at six locations. [1]
An adult male is 31.7 mm long. Dorsum homogeneous with smooth granular scales. Chin and gular scales are keeled whereas pectoral and abdominal scales are smooth. There are 23-25 belly scales across mid body. Tubercles on posterior flank are weakly developed. Para vertebral granules linearly arranged. Body short and slender. Head large and depressed. Snout relatively long. Pupil round. Head, body, and limbs are light brown to golden yellow dorsally. There are five to six W-shaped, dark cross bands on trunk. There is an oblique black line between eye and nostrils. A dark line present on occipital area. Tail grey-white with 10-12 faded brown cross-bands. [1]
Sri Lankan media and politicians criticized the vernacular usage of a hero's name for a gecko. [6] The argument was largely due to ignorance of binomial nomenclature in zoological taxonomy. [7] They indicated that the usage of heroes' names gives by equating the national heroes to geckos. [5] Researchers responded that the name is given only to honor the personality. [8]
Great Rebellion of 1817–1818, also known as the 1818 Uva–Wellassa Rebellion , was the third Kandyan War in the Uva and Wellassa provinces of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which is today the Uva province of Sri Lanka. The rebellion started against the British colonial government under Governor Robert Brownrigg, three years after the Kandyan Convention ceded Kingdom of Kandy to the British Crown.
National Hero is a status an individual can receive in Sri Lanka for those who are considered to have played a major role in fighting for the freedom of the country. The status is conferred by the President of Sri Lanka. The recipients of the award are celebrated on a Sri Lankan national holiday, National Heroes’ Day, held annually on 22 May. Every year, the President and general public pay tribute by observing a two minutes silence in their memory. The individuals are also celebrated on Sri Lanka Independence Day, held on 4 February. In this, the President or Prime Minister will typically address the nation with a speech honouring the National Heroes. The award has only been awarded to Sri Lankan citizens, but is not limited to this group.
Cnemaspis podihuna, also known as Deraniyagala's day gecko or dwarf day gecko is a species of diurnal gecko found only in Sri Lanka.
The Kandyan period covers the history of Sri Lanka from 1597–1815. After the fall of the Kingdom of Kotte, the Kandyan Kingdom was the last Independent monarchy of Sri Lanka. The Kingdom played a major role throughout the history of Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1476. The kingdom located in the central part of Sri Lanka managed to remain independent from both the Portuguese and Dutch rule who controlled coastal parts of Sri Lanka; however, it was colonised by the British in 1815.
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