Kolkata, Nov. 15 -- Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have announced the discovery and description of a new species of slender gecko, adding to the known biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats.
The newly described species, belonging to the genus Hemiphyllodactylus, was found in the Tirumala Hill ranges within the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Andhra Pradesh. It has been officially named Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. Nov., paying homage to its type locality, the sacred Venkatadri Hills in Tirumala.
The name Venkatadri is a blend of the Sanskrit words Venkata (meaning 'one who removes sins,' a name for Lord Vishnu) and Adri (meaning mountain). The discovery, published in the international journal Herpetozoa (Vol. 38, 2025...