New Gecko Species Discovered in Barail Hills
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: The biodiversity inventory of the Barail Hills montane forests lacked specific documentation of this unique bent-toe gecko species. NOW: Cyrtodactylus vanrakshaka has been formally described and added to India's growing list of endemic reptiles.
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BEFORE: Conservation efforts by local forest departments often went unrecognized in formal taxonomy. NOW: The scientific naming of the species as 'vanrakshaka' permanently embeds institutional recognition into the region's zoological record.
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BEFORE: Microhabitats in the Dima Hasao district were relatively under-surveyed for herpetofauna compared to larger protected areas in Assam. NOW: The discovery establishes the area as a hotspot of endemism that warrants targeted conservation strategies.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the recently discovered Cyrtodactylus vanrakshaka, consider the following statements: 1. It is a new species of bent-toe gecko discovered in the Barail Hills of Assam. 2. The species name translates to 'forest protector' to honor local conservation efforts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?