Researchers discover new gecko species in Thoothukudi

Kolhapur: Three researchers from Kolhapur in association with Thackeray Wildlife Foundation have discovered a new species of gecko in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.This gecko species is found in areas with quartz stone and hence has been named Quartzite Brukish Gecko. The researchers are Akshay Khandekar, Swapnil Pawar, Satpal Gangalmale, all from Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK) along with Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Aggarwal, Vivek Waghe, all from Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Rameswaram Mariappan of Reptile Conservation of India.This species is included in the subgenus Hemidactylus because of the segmented lamellae on the fingers, which are necessary to grip the surface. It is found in pebble-like rock (quartzite) habitats, it is called Quartzitecolus.Swapnil Pawar, the wildlife warden for Kolhapur who also works with the foundation, said, “The new species is found in dry deciduous forests with quartzite rocks on small hills. This species is nocturnal and its main food is small insects.”