Jaipore bent-toed gecko
The Jaipore bent-toed gecko, also known as the Jeypore Indian gecko, is an endangered species of gecko rediscovered in India's Eastern Ghats after being thought extinct. This ground-dwelling lizard is characterized by its large head, depressed body, and distinctive scale patterns. It inhabits high-elevation semi-evergreen forests and faces significant threats from habitat destruction.
Key Facts
- ›Rediscovered in 2010 after being considered extinct.
- ›Found in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, India.
- ›Inhabits high-elevation semi-evergreen forests.
- ›Possesses a depressed body and a large, oviform head.
- ›The snout-to-vent length of the holotype specimen was 5 cm (2 in).
Jeypore Indian Gecko, Jeypore Ground Gecko, Patinghe Indian Gecko
India
- Head Is Rather Large and Oviform, Longer Than the Diameter of the Orbit.
- Body Is Depressed and Rather Short.
- Limbs Are Moderate, With Digits Cylindrical At the Base and Compressed Distally.
- Head Is Covered With Large, Subequal Flat Granules.
- Body Scales Are Large, Squarish Or Hexagonal, Flat, and Arranged Regularly.
- Abdominal Scales Are Smooth, Round, and Imbricate.
- Tail Is Cylindrical, Tapering, Slightly Swollen, and Covered With Uniform Smooth Scales.
- Coloration Is Light Yellowish-Brown Above With Large Reddish-Brown, Black-Edged Spots. Features Include Two Transverse Spots On the Nape, Small Darker Spots On the Head, and A Streak From the Eye To the Ear. Lower Surfaces Are Brownish-White.
Deforestation, Mining
About Jaipore bent-toed gecko
The Jaipore Bent-toed Gecko
The Jaipore bent-toed gecko, scientifically known as Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis, is a species of gecko native to India that was once thought to be extinct. It is also commonly referred to as the Jeypore Indian gecko, Jeypore ground gecko, or Patinghe Indian gecko. This endangered species was described in 1877 based on a single specimen but was only rediscovered in 2010 in the Eastern Ghats region of Odisha.
Discovery and Rediscovery
Lt Col Richard Henry Beddome first described Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis in 1877, obtaining a male specimen from the Jeypore forests in present-day Odisha. For over a century, no further sightings were recorded, leading to its classification as a potentially extinct species. The rediscovery effort began in 2009 when Ishan Aggarwal initiated research to locate this 'lost' gecko, aiming to contribute to the evolutionary understanding of its genus. Expeditions in the high-elevation areas of the Eastern Ghats in southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh eventually led to the collection of two specimens in 2010 and 2011, confirming its survival and extending its known range.
Description and Habitat
The Jaipore bent-toed gecko is characterized by a rather large, oviform head and a depressed body. Its limbs are of moderate length, and its digits are cylindrical at the base and compressed distally. The head is covered in large, flat granules, while the body is adorned with uniform, large, squarish or hexagonal flat scales arranged like bricks. The abdominal scales are smooth and round. The coloration is typically light yellowish-brown, marked with pairs of large reddish-brown spots edged in black, along with other markings on the head and nape. The snout-to-vent length of the described male specimen was 5 cm (2 inches), with a total length of 92 mm (3.6 inches).
This gecko appears to inhabit semi-evergreen forests situated at elevations exceeding 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) within the Eastern Ghats. The specific areas where it has been found are unfortunately under significant pressure due to deforestation and mining activities. Researchers surmise that the species might be a relic from a wetter period in the region's history, stranded by the subsequent aridification of peninsular India.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Jaipore bent-toed gecko first described?
The Jaipore bent-toed gecko was first described in 1877 by Lt Col Richard Henry Beddome. The description was based on a single male specimen.
Where is the Jaipore bent-toed gecko found?
This gecko is found in the Eastern Ghats of southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh in India. Specifically, it inhabits high elevation areas of semi-evergreen forests.
Why was the Jaipore bent-toed gecko considered extinct?
It was considered extinct because it was described from a single specimen in 1877 and not seen again for many years. Its rediscovery in 2010 highlighted its endangered status.
What are the physical characteristics of the Jaipore bent-toed gecko?
It has a large, oviform head, a depressed body, and moderate limbs. The scales on its body are large, squarish or hexagonal, and flat. Its coloration is light yellowish-brown with reddish-brown, black-edged spots.
What are the main threats to the Jaipore bent-toed gecko?
The primary threats to this species are deforestation and mining in its habitat. These activities put significant pressure on the semi-evergreen forests it depends on.
Related Lizards
Geckoella jeyporensis
Geckoella jeyporensis, also known as the Jeypore Indian gecko or the Jeypore ground gecko, is an endangered species of gecko rediscovered in the Eastern Ghats of India after being thought extinct. This species inhabits high-elevation semi-evergreen forests and is characterized by its large, oviform head, depressed body, and unique scale patterns.
Botel gecko
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Brookesia decaryi
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