Gekko mizoramensis

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Gekko mizoramensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Gekko
Species:
G. mizoramensis
Binomial name
Gekko mizoramensis

Gekko mizoramensis is a species of parachute gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Mizoram state in India.

Discovery

G. mizoramensis was discovered in the Indo-Burma region, in Lawngtlai town, in May 2022. Molecular evidence has shown a 7-14% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence (p-distance) to its closest known relative, Gekko popaense , which lives on the other side of the Arakan hill range. [1]

All the specimens of G. mizoramensis were found in the town area at heights of 1.5 to 3.6 m (4.9 to 11.8 ft) above ground, and became active at dusk, hunting insects that were attracted by light sources. Its habitat was also commonly populated by the lizards Calotes irawadi , Gekko gecko and Hemidactylus frenatus . [1]

The discovery hints that northeast Indian biodiversity is not yet extensively documented. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Lalremsanga, H.T.; Muansanga, L.; Vabeiryureilai, M.; Mirza, Z. (2023-05-15). "A new species of Parachute Gecko of the subgenus Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae: Gekko) from the Indo-Burma region". Salamandra, German Journal of Herpetology. 59 (2): 125–135.
  2. "This paragliding gecko is new to science". Nature. 2023. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-01719-1. PMID   37221374.