New Bent-Toed Gecko Species Discovered in Northeast India

August 2, 2024

Scientists from India and the UK have recently discovered six new species of bent-toed geckos in Northeast India. This finding highlights the region’s rich and largely hidden ecological diversity, emphasizing the importance of ongoing biological exploration.

Key Research Institutions

The study was a collaborative effort involving the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), and the Natural History Museum London (NHM). Their teamwork showcases the value of international cooperation in studying biodiversity.

Geographic Distribution

The newly discovered gecko species come from four states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. This suggests that each state’s unique environment contributes to the region’s biodiversity.

Species Overview

Here are the new gecko species and where they were found:

Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, lives in lowland evergreen forests.
Siang River Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in the Siang River valley, indicating a unique habitat there.
Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko: Located in the Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, thrives in tropical semi-evergreen forests.
Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko: Found near Lamdan Kabui village, occupies shrub regions at moderate elevations.
Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in Nagaland, inhabits regenerating jhum lands (areas where slash-and-burn agriculture was practiced).
Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko: Also identified in Nagaland, inhabits reserved forests.

Significance of Findings

These discoveries reveal that Northeast India has a high degree of species diversity, especially in bent-toed geckos, with nearly 30 endemic species identified. This indicates that the area south of the Brahmaputra River is ecologically richer compared to the Himalayan foothills. The findings also show that biodiversity in protected areas like tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in India is not well documented. Additionally, they highlight the importance of less-studied habitats, such as abandoned jhum lands, in supporting undocumented species. The research stresses the urgent need for continued ecological surveys in Northeast India to uncover and document more biodiversity, especially in areas that have not been well explored.

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