‘Cryptic’ creature found snoozing on a twig in Madagascar forest. It’s a new species
As night fell across a forest in Madagascar, a “cryptic” creature perched on the tip of a twig and went to sleep. It almost seemed to blend in with the branch — but not well enough.
When scientists spotted the dozing animal, it turned out to be a new species.
Researchers spent 22 years visiting dozens of sites across Madagascar to survey wildlife, according to a study published June 13 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The large-scale project had a lofty goal: untangle the identities of several similar-looking gecko species.
To do this, researchers captured dozens of geckos then studied their physical appearances and DNA, the study said. Eventually, a pattern began to emerge.
A group of forest-dwelling geckos that didn’t look particularly unique were actually genetically distinct. Researchers realized they’d discovered a new species: Lygodactylus morii, or Mori’s dwarf gecko.
Mori’s dwarf geckos can reach about 2.5 inches in length and have “relatively large” eyes, the study said. Normally, these tan-brown geckos have a mosaic of irregular dark brown markings along their backs. Occasionally, they have been found with a “striped” pattern but this is “rare.”
Photos show several Mori’s dwarf geckos. Researchers described the new species as “cryptic,” meaning it looks “very similar” to or “indistinguishable” from other related gecko species.
Mori’s dwarf geckos live in dry forests near the coast, the study said. During the day, the lizards were found active “on relatively thin tree trunks at low perch heights.” At night, they were found “sleeping on thin terminal twigs.”
Researchers said they named the new species after Akira Mori, a researcher with Kyoto University, “in recognition of his contributions to reptile biology and especially his leading role in the study of reptiles in Ankarafantsika National Park.”
So far, the new species has been found at eight sites in northwestern Madagascar, including Ankarafantsika National Park, the study said.
The research team included Miguel Vences, Malte Multzsch, Milena Zerbe, Sven Gippner, Franco Andreone, Angelica Crottini, Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, Sandratra Rakotomanga, Solohery Rasamison and Achille Raselimanana.
The team also discovered two more new species of dwarf gecko: Lygodactylus schwitzeri and Lygodactylus herilalai.
This story was originally published June 14, 2024 at 12:33 PM with the headline "‘Cryptic’ creature found snoozing on a twig in Madagascar forest. It’s a new species."
