A new species of naked-toed gecko (Cyrtopodion) has been discovered in Gujarat.

The Palearctic naked-toed geckos of the genus Cyrtopodion are a group of gekkonid lizards distributed across the arid regions of north Africa, Arabia, and Central Asia to northwestern India.

Wildlife researchers Harshil Patel, Tejas Thackeray, Zeeshan A Mirza and Raju Vyas.have discovered a new species of naked-toed gecko, named Cyrtopodion Vindhya, in the Dahod and Panchmahals districts of Gujarat. 

The findings have been named ‘Cyrtopodion Vindhya’ and it is the fifth endemic species of reptile described in the last fifteen years from the state of Gujarat. 

This recent discovery brings the number of endemic reptile species described in Gujarat to five in the last 15 years. The study highlights the significance of the region’s rich and unique fauna.

There are 23 known species of genus Cyrtopodion genus of the Gecko family. These wildlife researchers have discovered the twenty-fourth one. 

Key Takeaways

• A new species of naked-toed gecko (Cyrtopodion) has been discovered in Gujarat
• The new species is named after the Vindhya hill ranges in the westernmost part of Gujarat
• The Palearctic naked-toed geckos of the genus Cyrtopodion are a group of gekkonid lizards distributed across the arid regions of north Africa, Arabia, and Central Asia to northwestern India.
• India has emerged as a hotspot of gecko diversity
• Gujarat is very rich in habitat diversity.