A team of researchers led by the Department of Zoology at Calicut University and Kerala Forest Research Institute has discovered a new species of kangaroo lizard named 'Agasthyagama Edge' at Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala.

Environment

A team of researchers led by the Department of Zoology at Calicut University and Kerala Forest Research Institute has discovered a new species of garden lizard at Kulamavu in Idukki. According to the research work published in the science journal Vertebrate Zoology, the new species, popularly known as the northern kangaroo lizard, has been named Agasthyagama Edge. Agasthyagama edge or the northern kangaroo lizard, which belongs to the Agamidae family, is known to have a maximum snout-vent length of 4.3 cm. The elusive northern kangaroo lizard is only 30mm to 43mm long. It lives underneath the dead leaf biomass and feeds on little insects. Unlike other garden lizards, the Agasthyagama Edge does not climb trees. If attacked, the lizard can stand upright and run on its hind legs.


      The species has been named after the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) of Existence programme of the Zoological Society of London.

      The research team included Sandeep Das, Saunak Pal, Surya Narayanan, K Subin, Muhamed Jafer Palot, K P Rajkumar and V Deepak.

      The new species, popularly known as the northern kangaroo lizard, has been named Agasthyagama Edge.

 

     


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