Play

Wildlife researchers Dr Varad Giri and Dr V Deepak published a research paper in Contributions to Zoology in May debunking the widely-held notion that there are only two species of the fan-throated lizards in India. Led by the two, a team of researchers conducted surveys across 81 locations.

The researchers explained, "India has a rich diversity of amphibians and reptiles and more than 50% species are endemic to this region. It should be noted that the present knowledge about the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in India is mainly based on the studies conducted prior to independence." Three of the newly found species belong to the already known genus Sitana. The major find was the two other species that belong to the previously unknown genus Sarada.

The males of the species sport a multicoloured fan-shaped flap on their throats which is used to attracts females during mating season. The flap becomes more colourful as the lizards become sexually mature. The lizard was first discovered in India in 1829.

Kings of the arid landscape they might be, but these little creatures are not invulnerable. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation is shrinking their habitats.

And the Ghats are not just home to these lizards. They are places of bio-diversity filled with thriving bird, animal and reptile populations that are as yet under researched.

Said Giri, "Most of these studies are concentrated in the biodiversity rich regions like Western Ghats and northeast India. But recent efforts in the barren dry zones of India, resulted in the discovery of one new genus and five new species of Fan-throated Lizards. These landscapes, which are traditionally thought to be poor in species richness, are abode to vast underestimated diversity of reptiles, especially lizards.”