When they saw the back of a lizard in the Southern Western Ghats, a group of scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation in India were reminded of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
The new species was found during an expedition in April 2022. (Photo: Akshay Khandekar)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 29, 2024 11:27 IST
Scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation in India have discovered a new species of lizard with a colouration so unique it reminds of Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting, "The Starry Night."
The discovery, made in the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, has led to the lizard being aptly named Cnemaspis vangoghi, in honour of the Dutch post-impressionist painter.
The team, comprising Ishan Agarwal, Akshay Khandekar, and Tejas Thackeray, stumbled upon this new species during an expedition in April 2022. Their findings, which have now been published in the prestigious journal ZooKeys, highlight not only the biodiversity of Tamil Nadu but also the untapped mysteries waiting to be discovered in its terrain.
Cnemaspis vangoghi is described as a small-sized gecko, reaching up to 3.4 cm in length. Its distinctive yellow head and forebody, adorned with light blue spots on the back, immediately caught the researchers' attention for its striking resemblance to Van Gogh's masterpiece.
This lizard prefers living among rocks and can occasionally be found on buildings and trees.
The discovery was part of a broader expedition aimed at exploring the biodiversity of the region.
"Tamil Nadu is an exceptionally biodiverse state, and we expect to name well over 50 new species of lizards by the time we are done with our expeditions," shared Ishan Agarwal. Despite the challenges faced during their journey, including Agarwal enduring over 500 tick bites, the team's efforts have shed light on the rich ecological tapestry of the area.
Alongside Cnemaspis vangoghi, another species named Cnemaspis sathuragiriensis was identified, named after its type locality, the Sathuragiri Hills.
Both species inhabit low elevation, deciduous forests within the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, adding to the five previously known endemic vertebrates of the region. These diurnal creatures are mainly active during the cooler hours of early morning and evening, predominantly found on rocks.
Their restricted localities present an intriguing case of micro-endemism in low-elevation species.
Micro-endemism refers to a phenomenon in ecology and biogeography where a species or a group of species are restricted to a very small geographic area, often on the scale of a few square kilometers or even less.
Published By:
Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On:
Mar 29, 2024
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