‘Long'-limbed creature with ‘bent' toes found on walking trail. It's a new species
Passing scientists noticed the 'slender' animal — and discovered a new species.
A team of researchers hiked into the mountains of central Nepal in 2023 and 2024 to survey wildlife. They knew the country had 'rich biodiversity' but remained largely undocumented because of its 'challenging terrain and a sparse road network,' according to a study published March 3 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
While walking along some trails at night, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals, tested their DNA and quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus chitwanensis, or the Chitwan bent-toed gecko.
Chitwan bent-toed geckos are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching just over 7 inches in length, the study said. Their 'slender' bodies have 'short' heads and 'long' limbs. Their 'small' eyes are greenish with wavy, vertical pupils.
Photos show the 'yellow-brown' coloring of the new species. Dark brown blotches with black edges dot its back, sometimes joining together to form bands.
Chitwan bent-toed geckos were 'found on rocks and in caves' at night near walking and hiking trails at elevations of about 3,300 feet, the study said.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Chitwan District, one of the areas where it was found. Chitwan bent-toed geckos were also found in the neighboring Tanahun District along the border with India.
The new species was identified by its skin folds, scale pattern, body shape, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 15% genetic divergence from other related gecko species.
The research team included Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Agarwal, Frank Tillack, Ashley Olson, Fiona Hogan and Wendy Wright.
The team also discovered two other new species: the ACAP bent-toed gecko and Karan's bent-toed gecko.
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