Two newly discovered lizards from Arunachal resolve century-old confusion in Northeast India
Guwahati: Green fan-throated lizards, long thought to be widespread across Northeast India, have finally been correctly identified—thanks to an integrated taxonomic study that combines morphology, genetics, and natural history observations.
For decades, this species was referred to as Green Fan-Throated Lizard (Ptyctolaemus gularis), a name given to a historical specimen that was originally purchased in Kolkata during British times.
However, this species is found only on the hills of Northeast India. Because of the ambiguous collection locality of the type specimen, researchers struggled to confirm the actual identity and distribution of the Green Fan-Throated Lizard in Northeast India. As a result, multiple similar-looking populations across the region were lumped together under a single name, masking true biodiversity.
Celebrating the impeccable biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh—now recognized not with just one, but three dazzling species of green fan-throated lizards.
The new study resolves this taxonomic puzzle. Researchers have now confirmed the true identity of P. gularis and, in the process, described two entirely new species, Ptyctolaemus siangensis and Ptyctolaemus namdaphaensis, from the region. These findings highlight the remarkable hidden reptile diversity of India’s Northeast—and underscore the importance of revisiting old museum records, field surveys, and genetic data to clarify species distribution across the region. It is also to be mentioned that this is the fifth new species of herpetofauna discovered from Namdapha Tiger Reserve in the last three years.
This clarification will have major implications for conservation, especially for upcoming IUCN Red List assessments, where accurate species identity is essential for evaluating threat status and planning protective measures.
As the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh continues to surprise and inspire, the discovery and recognition of these distinct green fan-throated lizards add yet another reason to celebrate the region’s role as a hotspot for herpetofauna diversity.