A team of Indian researchers from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram has discovered a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, in the lowland forests of North Tripura. The finding, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on April 14, marks a significant addition to India’s reptile diversity. The species was identified using an integrative approach combining morphological, statistical, and molecular analyses. Researchers confirmed it as distinct from its closest relative, Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis, with a genetic divergence of 4.7–5.2% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene. With this discovery, the number of Cyrtodactylus species in Northeast India has increased to 31, reinforcing the region’s importance within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
The new species has been named in honor of Jayaditya Purkayastha, recognizing his contributions to reptile research and conservation. Members of the research team described the naming as a tribute to his mentorship and influence on young scientists in the field. Lead author Sanath Chandra Bohra highlighted that the discovery not only adds to the known diversity of geckos but also underscores the urgent need to conserve fragile forest ecosystems in the region. Co-authors echoed similar sentiments, noting both the scientific and emotional significance of the finding.
The species has been proposed for classification as Data Deficient under the IUCN Red List, indicating that more research is needed to understand its population and distribution. The discovery draws attention to the rich yet understudied biodiversity of Northeast India and emphasizes the importance of protecting its rapidly degrading lowland forest habitats.