In the remote Western Ghats of India, a stunning gecko species adorned in blue and yellow hues has been christened in homage to Vincent Van Gogh, whose masterpiece Starry Night immediately sprung to mind for Ishan Agarwal upon encountering it.

Discovered amidst numerous expeditions into these rugged, largely uncharted mountains paralleling India's western shore, it not only captivates the eyes but also enriches scientific literature.

As a member of the genus Cnemapsis, it joins over 2,300 counterparts worldwide and more than a hundred within India alone. Yet not long ago, their count stood at a mere few dozen.

"Our fauna is incredibly diverse, yet our understanding of it remains limited," Agarwal shared with Nat Geo regarding the Western Ghats, where he has devoted 12,400 hours to exploration.

Cnemapsis vangoghi caught Agarwal's attention during one such expedition, its striking indigo and mustard yellow hues captivating him.

Initially resembling another gecko from the same genus, C. galaxia, laboratory analysis confirmed Agarwal's suspicion of it being a newfound species. Both it and a closely related counterpart are documented for the first time in a study published in the renowned ZooKeys journal.

Thriving in the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, Agarwal surmises that this gecko benefits from heightened protection compared to many native reptiles in India, owing to its habitat nestled under the umbrella of the iconic feline.

Umbrella conservation strategies advocate for the preservation of a flagship species whose habitat, prey, and protection requirements are extensive, consequently safeguarding numerous other species sharing that ecosystem.

In this scenario, safeguarding tigers translates to safeguarding geckos.

Agarwal underscores that advancements in DNA analysis afford greater precision in species delineation, noting the astonishing diversity within the genus Cnemapsis.

SHARE This Celestial-Skinned Gecko Along With the Courageous Scientist Behind its Discovery