Reptiles

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option a

Explanation
A new species of diurnal gecko has been discovered in Assam and it has been named after the Brahmaputra River.
Cnemaspis brahmaputra is a newly discovered species of diurnal gecko found at the Dirgheswari Temple on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It belongs to the Cnemaspis podihuna clade, a group of small, day-active geckos that were earlier believed to be largely confined to Sri Lanka.

Statement 1 is correct: Cnemaspis brahmaputra is a small-sized (SVL 30.8–35.7 mm) and diurnal gecko. This matches the key identifying traits of the Cnemaspis genus in the podihuna species group.

Statement 2 is not correct: Cnemaspis brahmaputra, like all geckos, is a cold-blooded (ectothermic) reptile. While it is a vertebrate, it is not warm-blooded, which is a trait found in birds and mammals, not reptiles.

Statement 3 is not correct:This species is not the first gecko discovered in India. In fact, India has a rich diversity of gecko species. Cnemaspis brahmaputra is the second known species of the Cnemaspis genus from the mainland Indian subcontinent belonging to the podihuna clade, the first being C. assamensis. So, while it’s significant, it’s not the first gecko species in India.
Significance:

• The presence of this Sri Lanka-linked clade in Assam suggests ancient biogeographic connections between Sri Lanka and Northeast India.
• This supports the theory of historical faunal exchanges across the Indian subcontinent, possibly due to past land bridges or dispersal events.