In a groundbreaking achievement for biodiversity research in India, scientists have unveiled Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, a new species of bent-toed gecko discovered in the fringes of Raimona National Park in Assam's Kokrajhar district. This discovery, detailed in a peer-reviewed study published on April 13, 2026, in the journal Zootaxa, highlights the untapped reptilian diversity in Northeast India's Eastern Himalayan foothills. The finding not only enriches our understanding of the Cyrtodactylus genus—one of the most speciose gecko groups worldwide—but also underscores the pivotal role of regional universities in advancing herpetological studies.
The specimen was first recorded in Kachugaon, a degraded forest patch adjacent to the park, during field surveys. Researchers from Cotton University and Assam Don Bosco University, in collaboration with conservation organizations like the Wildlife Trust of India, employed a combination of morphological analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing to confirm its novelty. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated the announcement on social media, calling it a "remarkable discovery" that spotlights the state's commitment to scientific exploration and habitat protection.
🦎 Unveiling Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis: Morphological and Genetic Profile
Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, or the Raimona bent-toed gecko, belongs to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis species group, known for its diversity across Northeast India and adjacent regions. Adults measure up to 71.1 mm in snout-vent length (SVL), featuring a rounded body, bluntly conical head, and weakly keeled dorsal tubercles arranged in 20 or 21 longitudinal rows. Key diagnostic traits include 36–38 paravertebral tubercles from axilla to groin, 32–38 mid-ventral scale rows, 13 precloacal pores in males (pits in females), and 17–20 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe.
Its color pattern stands out with 7 or 8 pairs of dark dorsal blotches between the axilla and groin, complemented by a tail bearing alternating dark and light bands. Notably, it lacks a single row of transversely enlarged subcaudal scales, setting it apart from close relatives like C. septentrionalis, its confirmed sister species based on ND2 gene sequences. These features were meticulously documented through high-resolution imaging and comparative morphometrics against over 30 congeners.
Genetic analysis revealed uncorrected pairwise distances of 8.5–12.3% from other C. khasiensis group members, solidifying its status as a distinct lineage. This integrative taxonomy approach exemplifies modern herpetological practices taught in Indian zoology programs.
Research Team: Collaborative Excellence from Assam's Academic Hubs
Leading the study were Bijay Basfore and Manmath Bharali, PhD scholars at Cotton University's Department of Zoology in Guwahati, alongside Rathin Barman from the Wildlife Trust of India. The full team included Sanatan Deka, Nazrul Islam, Arnab Deb, Sanath Chandra Bohra, Rupankar Bhattacharjee, Madhurima Das from Assam Don Bosco University, Arup Kumar Hazarika, Anjana Singha Naorem, and Jayaditya Purkayastha. Cotton University, a key player in Assam's higher education landscape, has a robust herpetology research focus, with scholars like Basfore contributing to checklists of snakes and lizards in the region.
Assam Don Bosco University's Zoology Department, emphasizing biodiversity in its lush Tapesia campus—home to 296 fauna species—provides fertile ground for such fieldwork. This collaboration bridges academia and conservation NGOs, fostering interdisciplinary training for students pursuing MSc and PhD in zoology and wildlife sciences. Their work aligns with national priorities under the National Education Policy 2020, promoting research-led higher education in environmental sciences.
From Field Surveys to Peer-Reviewed Publication: The Discovery Journey
The gecko was spotted during routine herpetofaunal surveys in degraded forests near Raimona National Park, underscoring how even human-impacted areas harbor cryptic diversity. Initial morphological assessments flagged anomalies compared to known Cyrtodactylus species, prompting genetic barcoding. ND2 sequences clustered it firmly within the C. khasiensis clade, with phylogenetic trees constructed using maximum likelihood methods.
- Specimen collection: Nocturnal hand-captures in leaf litter and under bark.
- Morphometrics: 15 external characters measured per individual.
- Genetics: PCR amplification and sequencing of 650 bp ND2 fragment.
- Comparisons: Against 50+ specimens from museum vouchers across India.
The rigorous peer-review process in Zootaxa (full paper) ensures credibility, serving as a model for aspiring researchers in India's zoology departments.
Photo by Edhem ŞEŞE on Unsplash
Raimona National Park: A Biodiversity Hotspot in the Making
Established in 2021 as Assam's seventh national park, Raimona spans 422 sq km along the Bhutan border, forming a transboundary landscape with Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve. Its subtropical forests teem with golden langurs, elephants, tigers, gaurs, and over 200 bird species. The park's orchids, butterflies, and now C. raimonaensis, affirm its Indo-Burma hotspot status.
Conservation efforts by the Bodoland Territorial Region focus on community involvement, eco-tourism, and anti-poaching, creating opportunities for university-led monitoring programs.
Exploding Reptile Diversity in Northeast India: A Regional Boom
Northeast India leads global lizard discoveries, with 34 new species in eight years, many from the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group now boasting 35 members, 26 endemic to India. Recent finds include C. vanarakshaka in Dima Hasao and reed snakes in Mizoram. Universities like Cotton, Mizoram University, and Tezpur drive this surge through PhD programs in herpetology and field stations.
This trend reflects improved taxonomic tools—DNA barcoding, integrative approaches—and protected areas expansion, training next-gen biologists amid climate pressures.
Conservation Challenges: Habitat Loss and Emerging Threats
Despite the excitement, C. raimonaensis faces risks from deforestation, agriculture encroachment, and climate shifts altering forest microhabitats. Assam's geckos suffer pet trade (e.g., tokay gecko smuggling) and urbanization fragmenting ranges. Proactive measures include IUCN assessments and campus conservation, as studied at Tezpur University.
Student-led initiatives at Cotton University document urban reptiles, advocating green campuses. For detailed threats analysis, see Wildlife Trust of India's reports (WTI).
Higher Education's Role: Fostering Herpetology in Assam
Cotton University's Zoology Department excels in reptile surveys, producing checklists and PhD theses on Assam's Squamata. Assam Don Bosco integrates biodiversity into curricula, with nature walks revealing campus herpetofauna. Programs like MSc Wildlife Sciences equip students for roles in national parks and NGOs.
Government schemes like INSPIRE and DBT fellowships fund such research, linking academia to conservation. Explore opportunities via research positions in Indian universities.
Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash
Future Prospects: Surveys, Student Training, and Policy Impacts
Ongoing surveys in Raimona could reveal more endemics, with universities partnering for genetic repositories. PhD programs emphasize fieldwork, GIS mapping, and molecular ecology, preparing graduates for IUCN Red List assessments.
- Expand student expeditions to transboundary areas.
- Integrate AI for species ID in herpetology courses.
- Community outreach for habitat stewardship.
This discovery inspires policy for protected area funding, vital for Assam's 193 reptile species.
The unearthing of Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis exemplifies Northeast India's herpetological renaissance, propelled by dedicated academics at Cotton University and Assam Don Bosco University. As threats mount, sustained university-NGO collaborations promise safeguarding this micro-endemic gem, enriching India's biodiversity legacy. For aspiring herpetologists, Assam offers prime fieldwork amid a discovery hotspot.