Assam: New bent-toed gecko species discovered in Kokrajhar district

Guwahati: In a significant scientific discovery, researchers have identified a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, in the Kachugaon region of Kokrajhar district near Raimona National Park in Assam.

The discovery highlights the rich but still largely unexplored biodiversity of the region and underscores the ecological importance of the Eastern Himalayan foothills.

The newly identified species belongs to the Cyrtodactylus genus, a highly diverse group of geckos found across South and Southeast Asia. Researchers said the species displays distinct morphological traits that clearly differentiate it from previously known geckos, making it a notable addition to India’s reptile fauna.

The discovery site falls within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, recognised globally as one of the most biologically rich yet underexplored ecological zones. Scientists noted that the dense forests and varied microhabitats around Raimona provide ideal conditions for rare and elusive species to survive.

“This discovery underscores how little we still know about the biodiversity of this region. Raimona is emerging as a critical habitat with immense scientific value,” a researcher associated with the study said.

Declared a National Park in 2021, Raimona is among Assam’s newest protected areas and has since drawn increasing attention from conservationists and researchers for its rich flora and fauna, including several rare and endemic species.

Environmental experts have stressed that such findings strengthen the case for intensified conservation efforts and sustained scientific exploration. They added that systematic surveys of these forests could uncover many more unknown species, contributing significantly to global biodiversity records.

The discovery of Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis adds to Assam’s expanding list of documented wildlife and highlights the ecological wealth hidden within its forests, much of which remains scientifically uncharted.

As further studies continue on the species and its habitat, researchers say the finding stands as both a milestone in herpetology and a reminder of the urgent need to protect the fragile ecosystems of Northeast India.