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New Bent-Toed Gecko Found Near Assam’s Raimona Park, Named Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis

The announcement underscores Assam’s push for research-driven habitat protection.

Overview

  • Researchers led by Bijay Basfore, Manmath Bharali, and Rathin Barman documented the tiny lizard in the Kachugaon area near Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar.
  • Detailed study of body traits and DNA confirmed it as new and placed it in the Cyrtodactylus group known for curved toes.
  • The gecko turned up in a degraded forest patch, showing that even rough patches of forest can hide rare species.
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the find on X and pledged support for surveys and habitat safeguards.
  • Raimona National Park is a newer protected area created in 2021 in the Eastern Himalayan foothills.