New species of skink found from Western Ghats
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Environment
- Published
17th May, 2021
-
Context
A new species Asian gracile skink is discovered form the western ghats.
About the Asian gracile skink
- It is named as Subdoluseps nilgiriensis,after the Nilgiris.
- It is a reptile with slender body of just about 7 cm.
- It is sandy brown in colour.
- This species is only the third skink species discovered from mainland India in the last millennium.
- The new species is closely related to Subdoluseps pruthi which is found in parts of the Eastern Ghats.
- It was found in a dry deciduous area which shows the possibility of skink diversity in dry zones.
- This emphasize on changing the notion that high biodiversity can be found only in the wet and evergreen forests.
- Such discoveries give us an understanding of how underestimated our reptile species diversity.
- Subdoluseps nilgiriensis is currently considered a vulnerable species.
- It faces potential threats from seasonal forest fires, housing constructions and brick kiln industries in the area.
Some information of skinks
- Most skinks are diurnal and are usually secretive in their habits.
- Most of the species are placed under the data-deficient category under the IUCN South Asian reptile assessment.
- Skinks are non-venomous, they resemble snakes because of the often-inconspicuous limbs and the way they move on land.
- Skinks are known to feed insects such as termites, crickets and small spiders.
IUCN South Asian Reptile Assessments
Objectives:
- Compile information on South Asian reptiles other than the peninsular India endemics for risk assessments.
Plans:
- Create reptile species list for all South Asian countries.
- Compile information on species from literature.
- Compile new information for not assessed species.
- Update information for already assessed species.
- Compile a list of national and regional reptile experts.
- Compile distribution data and map localities and polygons.
- Compile distribution data and map localities and polygons.
Partners:
Conservation Planning Specialist Group - South Asia, IUCN, Conservation International's Biodiversity Assessment Unit
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