GANESHAIAH

18th March, 2023 Environment

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Context: Acclaimed agricultural scientist from University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Bengaluru and noted Kannada writer KN Ganeshaiah became one of the few Kannadigas with multiple eponymous taxa (floral-faunal species) to their credit.

Details:

Honouring Ganeshaiah's contribution to the world of ecology, researchers have named a new species of gecko, endemic to Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) in Chamarajanagar, after him.
This is the fourth species named after Ganeshaiah by researchers from various scientific institutions.
Researchers named the new species 'Cnemaspis ganeshaiahi' or Ganeshaiah's dwarf gecko.
Previously, a grass species (Centotheca ganeshaiahiana) at the Saddle Peak National Park, North Andaman, a small cryptic ant species (Parasyscia ganeshaiahi) in decaying logs or under rocks and a cycas species (Cycas uma-ganeshaiahi) were named after him.

About the species:

The species is currently known only in MM Hills and neighbourhood which is dry deciduous and scrub forests habitat with large granite boulders.
The species is found in crevices of walls or in boulders and appears to be diurnal.

Gecko:

Geckos are reptiles and are found on all the continents except Antarctica.
These colorful lizards have adapted to habitats from rain forests, to deserts, to cold mountain slopes
Gecko tails serve many purposes. They help balance their weight as they climb branches, they act as fuel tanks to store fat, and as camouflage to help them disappear into their environment. Geckos are also able to shed their tails if a predator grabs them.
Most geckos are nocturnal, which means they are active at night, but day geckos are active during the day and nibble on insects, fruits, and flower nectar.
Most geckos make noises such as chirping, barking, and clicking when they are defending their territory or attracting a mate.
Female geckos lay their eggs in leaves and bark.
Most geckos don’t have movable eyelids and instead have one transparent eyelid which they keep clean by licking it with their tongues.
There are many species of geckos. Depending on the species, their endangered status can range from least concern to critically endangered.