A young work published in the journalZootaxadetails the exciting find of a new species of velvet gecko retrieve on one of Australia ’s Northern Territory islands . The colorful new gecko , Oedura nesos , was found on Groote Eylandt and is believed to only occur on this island , which is the third - largest offshore island in the Gulf of Carpentaria .
The gecko sports two bring colour convention . The first when it ’s a child , which is pitch-dark with bright white bands , The other arise as it matures and is a pattern of white bands and yellow blot , which contrast with the adult gecko ’s otherwise grey pelt . It was discover creeping among rock’n’roll scissure on the island by investigator from the Queensland Museum , Griffith University , and the University of Melbourne .
“ This species was formerly obscure with another standardised gecko we described in 2016 , calledOedura bella , but we had some hint that it might not be the same , ” state trail researcher Dr Paul Oliver in astatement . “ luckily , we were able work with researcher from the Northern Territory Government and Traditional Owners and rangers from the Anindilyakwa Land Council to get textile for genetic analysis and pictures of the animal in life . ”
The discovery total as one of many in recent years from Northern Australia ’s islands , with nine othernew species recently discoveredin the region . The island is also of particular ecological grandness to a number of endangered species including the northern hopping black eye and brush - tailed rabbit rat .
“ I am presently writing a field guide to the reptilian of the Northern Territory , and the lean of mintage I have to include is rise rapidly , and I ’m contend to keep up ! ” said Mr Chris Jolly from the University of Melbourne , emphasizing how our understanding of Top oddment lounge lizard diversity is continue to meliorate . “ It ’s both exciting , and really important , because it think we are continually better understanding of our region ’s biodiversity . ”
