Guwahati: In a significant discovery, researchers have discovered a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, in the vicinity of Raimona National Park in Assam's Kokrajhar district.
The species has been named after the park, underscoring the region's remarkable biodiversity. It was documented through a detailed scientific study combining physical characteristics with genetic analysis.
"We will continue to protect these habitats and support scientific research, ensuring Assam's natural heritage is preserved and better understood for generations to come," Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X.
A remarkable discovery from Assam.
A new species of gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, has been found near Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district, and named after the park itself, highlighting the rich biodiversity of our state.
We will continue to protect these habitats… pic.twitter.com/iW9NMXliDV
- Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa)
The newly discovered species is part of the Cyrtodactylus genus, one of the most diverse groups of geckos found across South and Southeast Asia.
Researchers involved in the study said Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis possesses unique morphological features that set it apart from previously identified species, making it a significant addition to India's reptile diversity.
The forests around Raimona National Park, characterised by thick vegetation and varied microhabitats, offer favourable conditions for rare and little-known species to survive.
According to the researchers, the area still contains a vast reservoir of undiscovered biodiversity yet to be documented.
The newly described gecko is of moderate size, with adults reaching a maximum snout-vent length of about 71.1 mm. It has rounded, bluntly conical dorsal tubercles that are weakly keeled and arranged in 20 to 21 longitudinal rows, along with 36-38 paravertebral tubercles between the axilla and groin.
Researchers noted several other distinctive features that help differentiate the species. These include 32-38 mid-ventral scale rows, 13 precloacal pores in males and 13 precloacal pits in females, and 17-20 subdigital lamellae beneath the fourth toe. The species also lacks a single row of enlarged subcaudal scales.
Raimona National Park, which was declared a national park in 2021, is one of Assam's newest protected areas and has increasingly attracted the interest of conservationists and researchers due to its diverse flora and fauna, including a number of rare and endemic species.