Eublepharis jhuma
| Eublepharis jhuma | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Eublepharidae |
| Genus: | Eublepharis |
| Species: | E. jhuma |
| Binomial name | |
| Eublepharis jhuma Mohapatra, Ray, Das, Satrusallya, Jena, Bhupathi, Das & Mahapatra, 2026[1] | |
Eublepharis jhuma is a species of leopard gecko in the family Eublepharidae. It was discovered in the Kaimur Hills near the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar, India.[2] It was the seventh species in the family Eublepharidae to be described.[3]
Etymology
It was named in honour of zoologist Dhriti Banerjee, whose nickname is "Jhuma".[4]
Description
The species was identified through morphological and mitochondrial DNA analysis in 2026, having initially been considered part of an already classified form of lizard species.[4] It is the first species of the genus Eublepharis recorded from Bihar.[5] It also has distinctive dark brown markings and large, flat dorsal scales.[3] The species primarily inhabits deciduous forests, and its discovery extended the known range of leopard geckos in Bihar.[2]
References
- ↑ "Eublepharis jhuma Mohapatra, Ray, Das, Satrusallya, Jena, Bhupathi, Das & Mahapatra 2026". Zoobank. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- 1 2 Virata, John (2026-05-12). "New Leopard Gecko Species From India Described". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- 1 2 Bharat, E. T. V. (2026-05-17). "New Gecko Species Discovered In Bihar's Kaimur Hills; Scientists Call For Protection Of Highly Trafficked Reptile". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- 1 2 "India's newest lizard: Scientists discover hidden leopard gecko in Bihar's Kaimur hills". The Times of India. 2026-05-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- ↑ Mohapatra, PP; Ray, S; Das, AK; Satrusallya, R; Jena, SK; Bhupathi, B; Das, R; Mahapatra, AK (2026). "Description of a morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent new species of the leopard gecko in the genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Eublepharidae) from India". Herpetozoa. 39 e183441: 161–176. doi:10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e183441.