Madagascar is home to a rich and diverse fauna, including many species of reptiles that are found nowhere else in the world.
Among them are the leaf-tailed geckos, a group of lizards that have evolved remarkable adaptations to blend in with their environment.
A new species of leaf-tailed gecko has been recently discovered in the northern part of the island, and it is a master of disguise.
How the new species was discovered and described
Carl Court/Getty Images
The new species, named Uroplatus garamaso, or shiny-eyed leaf-tailed gecko, was first encountered by a team of researchers from the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in 2000, during an expedition to the Montagne d'Ambre National Park.
However, it took them many years to collect enough data and specimens to confirm that it was indeed a new species.
The researchers used a combination of genetic, morphological and ecological methods to distinguish the new species from its closest relatives.
They also compared it with other species of leaf-tailed geckos from different regions of Madagascar. They published their findings in the journal Salamandra on August 15.
The new species belongs to the genus Uroplatus, which comprises 24 species of leaf-tailed geckos.
These geckos are characterized by having flattened tails that resemble leaves, as well as skin flaps around their body and head that help them camouflage with tree bark.
They are nocturnal and arboreal, meaning that they are active at night and live on trees.
The new species is one of the best examples of camouflage among leaf-tailed geckos. It has a triangular head, scaly body, and eyes ranging from golden-yellow to reddish.
It also has a striking tail and body coloration that matches the lichen-covered tree trunks where it lives.
The new species can change its color and pattern depending on the background and light conditions. It can also flatten its body and spread its skin flaps to mimic the texture and shape of the bark.
When it rests head-down on a tree trunk during the day, it becomes almost invisible to predators and human observers.
The new species also has some unique features that help it distinguish it from other leaf-tailed geckos.
One of them is the tip of its tongue, which is pink instead of blackish like in most other species. Another one is its size, which is smaller than most other species, reaching about 20 centimeters in length.
The new species is endemic to northern Madagascar, where it inhabits humid montane forests at elevations between 800 and 1200 meters above sea level.
It is currently known from only two locations: Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve. The researchers estimate that its total range is less than 5000 square kilometers.
The new species faces several threats to its survival, such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation due to deforestation, agriculture, and mining activities.
It is also vulnerable to illegal collection for the pet trade, as well as climate change impacts. The researchers urge more conservation efforts to protect this unique and elusive lizard.
The new species is the latest addition to the amazing diversity of Madagascar's reptiles, which include more than 400 species of lizards and 300 species of snakes.
The researchers hope that their discovery will inspire more research and appreciation for these fascinating animals.
