Gekko mizoramensis

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Gekko mizoramensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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[edit]

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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b 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.