New species of skink found from Western Ghats

A new species Asian gracile skink is discovered form the western ghats.

Context

A new species Asian gracile skink is discovered form the western ghats.

About the Asian gracile skink

• It is named as Subdoluseps nilgiriensis,after the Nilgiris.
• It is a reptile with slender body of just about 7 cm.
• It is sandy brown in colour.
• This species is only the third skink species discovered from mainland India in the last millennium.
• The new species is closely related to Subdoluseps pruthi which is found in parts of the Eastern Ghats.
• It was found in a dry deciduous area which shows the possibility of skink diversity in dry zones.
  • This emphasize on changing the notion that high biodiversity can be found only in the wet and evergreen forests.
  • Such discoveries give us an understanding of how underestimated our reptile species diversity.
• Subdoluseps nilgiriensis is currently considered a vulnerable species.
• It faces potential threats from seasonal forest fires, housing constructions and brick kiln industries in the area.

Some information of skinks

• Most skinks are diurnal and are usually secretive in their habits.
• Most of the species are placed under the data-deficient category under the IUCN South Asian reptile assessment.
• Skinks are non-venomous, they resemble snakes because of the often-inconspicuous limbs and the way they move on land.
• Skinks are known to feed insects such as termites, crickets and small spiders.