Subdoluseps Nilgiriensis
Source : The Hindu
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in News ?

Subdoluseps Nilgiriensis found at Anaikatti hills in Coimbatore during the South Asian Reptile Red List Assessment  organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Key Facts

• Named as Subdoluseps Nilgiriensis the reptile has a slender body of just about 7 cm.
• It is sandy brown in colour.
• Based on genetic studies the new species is closely related to Subdoluseps pruthi found in parts of the Eastern Ghats.
• The new species was found in a dry deciduous area, showing that even the dry zones of our country are home to unrealised skink diversity.
• Most skinks are diurnal and are usually secretive.
• This species is only the third skink species discovered from mainland India in the last millennium. 
• Implication of the finding : There is an urgent need to change the notion that high biodiversity can be found only in the wet and evergreen forests.
  • Most of the studies in Tamil Nadu are carried out only in the protected areas and focus only on mega fauna such as tigers, elephants and other such.
  • The identification of species reiterate the need to study the little known animal  groups inside our forests.
  • They are fundamental and indispensable components of our biodiversity.
  • This discoveries gives an understanding of how underestimated reptile species diversity.

About Sink

• Skinks are nonvenomous.
• They resemble snakes because of the often inconspicuous limbs and the way they  move on land. .
• Such resemblance has led to confusion often resulting in humans killing this harmless creature.
• Skinks are known to feed on insects such as termites, crickets and small spiders

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