Kangaroo lizard species discovered in Western Ghats

Kangaroo lizard species discovered in Western Ghats

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

The biodiverse forests of the Western Ghats have thrown up yet another marvel of evolution- a new species of tiny lizards, which researchers have described as “diminutive dragon”.

About 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 edge or 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.

Some Distinct 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.