New species of 'fast' gecko discovered in Somaliland

[Dayaxa]

Yellow-eyed creature found running ‘fast’ near village at night. It’s a new species​

BY ASPEN PFLUGHOEFT
AUGUST 29, 2024 11:01 AM​

Scientists found a “large” spiky creature with yellow eyes near a village in Somaliland and discovered a new species, a study said.
Photo shared by Tomáš Mazuch​

Under the cover of darkness, a yellow-eyed creature darted across the arid landscape near a remote village in the Horn of Africa. It was moving “fast” — but not fast enough.

Visiting scientists managed to capture the spiky animal. It turned out to be a new species.

Researchers visited a village in Somaliland several times between 2021 and 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Aug. 22 in the peer-reviewed journal African Zoology. The region is a biodiversity hotspot and a self-proclaimed republic that declared independence from Somalia.

During the surveys, researchers found a few spiky brown lizards living around the village, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and quickly realized they’d discovered a new species: Hemidactylus huluul, or the Huluul gecko.

Huluul geckos are considered “medium to large,” measuring between 3.5 inches to just over 6 inches in length, the study said. Their bodies are covered in “large” spikes. Their “pointed” heads have “large,” “sandy yellow” eyes and “bean-shaped” ear openings.

A photo shows the beige-brown coloring of the new species. Across its back are several “brown, irregular, X-shaped markings.” Some lighter gray spots also dot its back and limbs. Its tail has a distinct banded pattern, shifting from light and dark brown at the base to black and white at the tip.

Hemidactylus huluul, or the Huluul gecko​

 

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