In the remote Western Ghats of India, a stunning blue and yellow gecko species has been bestowed with the name of Vincent Van Gogh, whose masterpiece “Starry Night” inspired Ishan Agarwal upon first sight of the creature.
Discovered during numerous expeditions into these rugged, underexplored mountains that run parallel to India’s western coastline, it not only captivates the eye but also enriches the scientific knowledge.
This gecko, belonging to the genus Cnemapsis, joins the ranks of over 2,300 species worldwide and more than one hundred in India alone. Yet, not long ago, the count was merely a few dozen.
“We possess an incredibly diverse fauna, yet our understanding remains limited,” remarked Agarwal to Nat Geo regarding the Western Ghats, where he has devoted 12,400 hours to exploration.
Cnemapsis vangoghi was stumbled upon during one of Agarwal’s expeditions, its indigo and mustard yellow hues catching his attention.
Initially resembling another gecko within the same genus, C. galaxia, further examination in the laboratory confirmed Agarwal’s suspicions – it was indeed a new species. This newfound species, along with a closely related counterpart, are detailed for the first time in a study published in the journal ZooKeys.
Discovered within the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, Agarwal believes this gecko benefits from heightened conservation efforts owing to its habitat’s association with the iconic tiger.
Through umbrella conservation strategies, conservationists prioritize the protection of a single species with the largest territorial, prey, and protection needs, consequently safeguarding numerous other species inhabiting the same area.
Agarwal highlights advancements in DNA analysis techniques, which offer greater precision in species description, emphasizing the remarkable diversity within the genus Cnemapsis.
Ultimately, the protection of tigers indirectly contributes to the conservation of geckos and other species sharing their habitat.