IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

GEKKO MIZORAMENSIS

18th May, 2023 Environment

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • A team of researchers from the Mizoram University and the MaxPlanck Institute for Biology, Tubingen, Germany, found a new species of gecko in Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Details

  • This new species can glide and researchers have termed it a parachute gecko.
  • Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards found in warm climates throughout the world.
  • What makes them unique is their vocalisation and loud mating calls.

Location

  • The species found inhabiting Mizoram, has previously been discovered in parts of South Asia including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Taxanomy

  • These flying, parachute, or gliding geckos are a subgenus called Ptychozoon of the Gekko genus.

Distribution

  • There are 13 species of them throughout the world and they are found in Southeast Asia.
  • Among them, only one species Ptychozoon lionotum or smooth-backed gliding gecko-was found in Mizoram.
    • New species differed from the Ptychozoon lionotum. There is a 21 per cent difference in DNA of both species and there were morphological variations too.

Description

  • The new species, which is around 20 cm in length, is an arboreal that lives on trees.
  • It can glide from one tree to another and is
  • Those found in residential areas are usually seen on the exterior walls of buildings.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

About Gecko: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/chengodumala-dwarf-gecko

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements with reference to Parachute Gecko is/are incorrect?

1. It can glide from one tree to another and is nocturnal.

2. They are small, mostly carnivorous lizards found in warm climates throughout the world.

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: b

https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/science/story/mysterious-new-species-of-flying-gecko-discovered-in-mizoram-2380367-2023-05-17