Six New Bent-Toed Geckos Found in Northeast India

Scientists from India and the UK have discovered six new species of bent-toed geckos in Northeast India, highlighting the region’s rich and largely unexplored ecological diversity. This discovery emphasizes the importance of ongoing biological exploration.

Research Collaboration

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). This teamwork underscores the value of international cooperation in studying biodiversity.

Geographic Distribution

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

Species Overview

Here are the new gecko species and their habitats:

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

Significance of Findings

These discoveries reveal Northeast India’s high species diversity, particularly in bent-toed geckos, with nearly 30 endemic species identified. The findings indicate that the area south of the Brahmaputra River is ecologically richer compared to the Himalayan foothills. They also show that biodiversity in protected areas like tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in India is not well documented. Additionally, the importance of less-studied habitats, such as abandoned jhum lands, is highlighted in supporting undocumented species. The research underscores the urgent need for continued ecological surveys in Northeast India to uncover and document more biodiversity, especially in underexplored areas.