Latest news with #BivekGautam
Miami Herald
11-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Long'-limbed creature with ‘bent' toes found on walking trail. It's a new species
As night fell across Nepal, a 'long'-limbed creature emerged from its hiding place and climbed along some rocks near a walking trail. Its 'green-grey' eyes scanned the shadowy landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. 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.
Miami Herald
04-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Slender' creature — ‘sensitive to flashlights' — discovered as new species in Nepal
As night fell across Nepal, a 'slender' creature with 'long' limbs emerged from its hiding place and climbed along a roadside wall. A bright light suddenly moved toward the scaly animal, disturbing it. Scientists looked at the 'very sensitive' animal caught in their flashlight beam — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers ventured into the mountains of central Nepal in 2023 for a six-month project to survey wildlife. The country is 'rich' in biodiversity but remains largely understudied because of its 'challenging terrain and a sparse road network,' according to a study published March 3 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During the project, the team visited the Annapurna Conservation Area and conducted nighttime searches for lizards, the study said. Sure enough, they encountered several blotchy and unfamiliar-looking lizards. Researchers took a closer look at the lizards, analyzed their DNA and quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus annapurnaensis, or the ACAP bent-toed gecko. ACAP bent-toed geckos are considered 'small-sized,' reaching just over 5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'slender' bodies, 'short' heads and 'slightly long' limbs. Their fingers and toes are 'long' with 'a strong, recurved claw.' Their 'small' eyes are 'green-grey' with a vertical, wavy-edged pupil. Photos show the brown blotchy pattern of the new species. Overall, its coloring is a mix of light brown, dark brown and cream patches with a striped tail. ACAP bent-toed geckos were found at night 'on roadside walls and along stone wall fences,' near a suspension bridge, on rock walls and on plants near a 'drainage channel,' the study said. The geckos were often found during drizzly, 'rainy or foggy weather' and 'very sensitive to flashlights.' Researchers said they named the new species after the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) where the new species was first discovered. The region is 'the largest Protected Area in Nepal' and began in 1986 as a 'community conservation' project. So far, ACAP bent-toed geckos have been found around three villages in the conservation area, which is in central Nepal and near the border with Tibet, a disputed region controlled by China, the study said. The new species was identified by its glands, body size, scale pattern and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 11% 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 more new species: the Chitwan bent-toed gecko and Karan's bent-toed gecko.
