Discovery of Six Bent-Toed Gecko Species in Northeast India

Discovery and Research Collaboration

• Six new species of bent-toed geckos discovered in northeastern India
• Collaborative effort involving Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, and Natural History Museum London
• Findings published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology
• Research utilized morphological characteristics and molecular analyses
• Discovery highlights the importance of international cooperation in biodiversity studies

Geographic Distribution and Habitat Diversity

• New species found in four northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram
• Habitats range from lowland evergreen forests to subtropical cloud forests
• Discoveries span different elevations, from lowlands to heights of 1300 meters above sea level
• Species discovered in various protected areas:
  • Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary (Mizoram)
  • Athibung Reserve Forest (Nagaland)
• Some species found in less-studied areas:
  • Abandoned jhum (shifting cultivation) lands
  • Regenerating forests
  • Areas near villages

Newly Discovered Species and Their Characteristics

a) Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Found in Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh
• Widespread in lowland evergreen forests
• Nocturnal, often seen perching on vegetation near forest streams

b) Siang River Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Discovered in the Siang River valley, Arunachal Pradesh
• Named after the river valley known for its unique biodiversity

c) Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Found in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram
• Inhabits tropical semi-evergreen forests

d) Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Discovered near Lamdan Kabui village, Manipur
• Found perched on shrubs at moderate elevations

e) Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Located in Kiphire district, Nagaland
• Inhabits regenerating jhum lands at 1300 meters elevation

f) Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko:

• Found in Peren district, Nagaland
• Inhabits the Athibung Reserve Forest in the Barail hill range
• Lives in tropical to subtropical cloud forests

Significance and Implications

• Reveals high species diversity in Northeast India, with nearly 30 endemic bent-toed gecko species identified
• Indicates that the area south of the Brahmaputra River is ecologically richer than previously thought
• Highlights the need for better documentation of biodiversity in protected areas
• Emphasizes the importance of less-studied habitats in supporting undocumented species
• Underscores the urgent need for continued ecological surveys in Northeast India
• Fourth new species discovered by WII researchers in the last two years, highlighting the hyper-diversity of the Namdapha-Kamlang landscape
• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu called for conservation efforts