Guwahati, Sept 11: A new species of bent-toed gecko has been discovered from the montane forests of Dima Hasao district, Assam. The species, named Cyrtodactylus vanarakshaka sp. nov., was described by Manmath Bharali, Krijoboti Thaosen, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Rupankar Bhattacharjee, Madhurima Das and Sanath Chandra Bohra.
The name vanarakshaka, derived from the Sanskrit words vana (forest) and rakshaka (protector), has been dedicated to the Forest Department of Assam. The epithet serves as a tribute to the department’s tireless efforts in protecting forests and conserving Assam’s biodiversity, particularly lesser-known groups such as amphibians and reptiles. It also acknowledges the sacrifices of frontline staff, many of whom have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Senior author Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha said, “We sincerely acknowledge the unwavering support of the Forest Department of Assam in bringing to light the lesser-known biodiversity of our state. Their commitment has been instrumental in highlighting and protecting amphibians and reptiles—groups that often remain overlooked yet form a vital part of Assam’s ecological heritage.”
The discovery was made from the forested slopes of Jatinga in Dima Hasao, a unique ecological transition zone within the Barail Hills. characterised by its distinctive morphology and confirmed through molecular analysis, the species belongs to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group, which is known for high levels of endemism and restricted distributions.
This finding increases the number of Cyrtodactylus species known from Assam to five, and highlights the urgent need for continued field-based surveys in the state’s hill ecosystems.
The discovery has been published online in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity.
