Discovery of New Species in Southern India: Dravidoseps kalakadensis, the KMTR Leaf-litter Skink

Discovery of New Species in Southern India: Dravidoseps kalakadensis, the KMTR Leaf-litter Skink

VoM News Desk | January 23, 2024 | 09:48 AM IST | Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Discovery of New Species in Southern India: Dravidoseps kalakadensis, the KMTR Leaf-litter Skink

Discovery of New Species in Southern India: Dravidoseps kalakadensis, the KMTR Leaf-litter Skink

Scientists exploring a forest in southern India made a remarkable discovery when they encountered a pregnant lizard with a distinctive feature in its eyelid.

The creature, displaying a “coconut brown” coloration, turned out to be a new species named Dravidoseps kalakadensis, or the KMTR leaf-litter skink.

The discovery was made during a large-scale search across Tamil Nadu between 2018 and 2023, focusing on finding and identifying a specific type of lizard.

The KMTR leaf-litter skinks are considered medium-sized, reaching just under 4 inches in length, with relatively slender bodies, short heads, and short limbs.

Notably, they possess a transparent central window on their lower eyelids, a distinctive feature captured in photos. Found in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, these skinks exhibit a “coconut brown” coloring with a dark brown stripe along their sides, blending with their surroundings.

Unlike most lizards that lay eggs, the KMTR leaf-litter skinks are viviparous, reproducing by giving birth to live young.

The researchers discovered a pregnant skink carrying three babies, highlighting this unique reproductive method. The new species was named after the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, where it was exclusively found.

The research team, consisting of Ishan Agarwal, Tejas Thackeray, and Akshay Khandekar, not only identified the KMTR leaf-litter skink but also discovered a new genus of skinks, Dravidoseps, along with four additional new species, each distinguished by its coloration.

This discovery adds to the ongoing exploration of biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts in unique ecosystems like the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

VoM News Desk

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