Scientists from India and the United Kingdom have identified six new species of bent-toed geckos from Northeast India. This discovery highlights the region’s rich biodiversity and the need for further exploration. The research was conducted by teams from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and the Natural History Museum London (NHM).
Geographic Distribution
- Arunachal Pradesh: Two new species were discovered in this state.
- Nagaland: Two new species were also found here.
- Manipur: One new species was identified.
- Mizoram: One new species was documented.
Details of Discovery
- Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, this species inhabits lowland evergreen forests.
- Siang River Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in the valley of the Siang river, it is named after the valley itself.
- Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko: Located in the Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary of Lawngtlai district, Mizoram. The habitat is characterized by tropical semi-evergreen to moist evergreen forest.
- Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko: Found near Lamdan Kabui village at an elevation of about 1.5 meters.
- Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko: Identified in Nagaland between elevations of 740 m and 1,300 m above sea level in regenerating jhum land.
- Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in a reserved forest in Nagaland.
Significance of Discovery
The identification of these six new species demonstrates the hidden diversity in Northeast India. The research underscores the importance of exploring less-studied areas, including protected regions and abandoned agricultural lands, for uncovering undocumented biodiversity.
Insights
- Species Diversity: According to Abhijit Das from WII, species diversity is notably higher south of the Brahmaputra River compared to the Himalayan foothills.
- Endemic Species: Each state in Northeast India now has its own endemic bent-toed gecko species, contributing to a total of approximately 30 endemic species in the region.
- Conservation Importance: The discovery of new species in protected areas and less prioritized lands highlights the crucial role of these habitats in conserving biodiversity.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- How many new species of bent-toed geckos were described in Northeast India?
- a) Four
- b) Six
- c) Eight
- d) Ten
- Which research institutions were involved in the discovery of the new gecko species?
- a) Wildlife Institute of India, Ashoka Trust, and Smithsonian Institution
- b) Wildlife Institute of India, Ashoka Trust, and Natural History Museum London
- c) Ashoka Trust, Natural History Museum London, and National Geographic Society
- d) Wildlife Institute of India, Natural History Museum London, and Harvard University
- Where was the Ngengpui bent-toed gecko discovered?
- a) Manipur
- b) Mizoram
- c) Nagaland
- d) Arunachal Pradesh
- Which species was found in the Siang River valley?
- a) Namdapha bent-toed gecko
- b) Ngengpui bent-toed gecko
- c) Siang River bent-toed gecko
- d) Manipur bent-toed gecko
- What type of forest is the habitat of the Ngengpui bent-toed gecko?
- a) Tropical semi-evergreen to moist evergreen forest
- b) Deciduous forest
- c) Boreal forest
- d) Mangrove forest
- Which new species was discovered in Nagaland?
- a) Siang River bent-toed gecko
- b) Ngengpui bent-toed gecko
- c) Kiphire and Barail Hill bent-toed geckos
- d) Manipur bent-toed gecko