A ‘sly’ species of leaf-tailed gecko uncovered from Madagascar

Scientists have described a new species of leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus fetsy, believed to be found only in Madagascar’s Ankarana Special Reserve. - All Uroplatus species are endemic to Madagascar and are best known for their leaf-like tails and coloration that allow them to blend into the foliage. - Though newly described, U. fetsy may already be at risk: the dry deciduous forests of the reserve are severely threatened by illegal logging, cattle grazing, fires, and artisanal mining. - The authors of the paper describing the new species say it could warrant endangered status on the IUCN Red List because of these threats to its habitat.

Article published on october 23, 2019 by Malavika Vyawahare