New kangaroo lizard species
01.02.2024
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Why in the news?
Recently, scientists have discovered a new kangaroo lizard species from the Western Ghats.
About New kangaroo lizard species:
- Researchers named the new, scaly reptiles after the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered of Existence (EDGE) program through the Zoological Society of London.
- The new species Agasthyagama edgeor the northern kangaroo lizard belongs to the Agamidae family.
- A group of scientists discovered the new species from the southern Western Ghats at Kulamavu in Idukki.
- The species is the second one of the Agasthyagama genus after A. beddomii or Indian kangaroo lizard that has been previously reported from Sivagiri hills in Tamil Nadu.
Features
- A reduced fifth toe makes these reptiles poor climbers and hence do not climb trees like other lizards.
- Instead, they are mostly terrestrial and found in areas with dense leaf litter cover.
- They feed on small insects, this variety of kangaroo lizard runs fast and hides within dry leaves to evade predators.
- It is known to have a maximum snout-vent length of 4.3 cm.
- The new species has a uniform dull olive-brown body with slightly darker head. It also has a white throat with a broad dark brown stripe on its dewlap with brick yellow scales on the outside.
Source: The Hindu