ZSI scientists discover new Gecko species in Andhra Pradesh
Kolkata (PTI): Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of slender gecko in Andhra Pradesh, an official statement said.
The newly discovered species, belonging to the genus Hemiphyllodactylus, was found in the Tirumala Hill ranges within the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve of Andhra Pradesh, it said.
It has been officially named Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. nov, paying homage to the locality - the sacred Venkatadri Hills in Tirumala, the ZSI statement said.
The name Venkatadri is a blend of the Sanskrit words Venkata (meaning 'one who removes sins', a name for Lord Vishnu) and Adri (meaning mountain).
The discovery, published in the international journal Herpetozoa (Volume 38, 2025), was a collaborative effort by a team from ZSI's Freshwater Biology Regional Centre (Hyderabad), Reptilia Section (Kolkata) and Fakir Mohan University (Odisha).
Molecular analysis confirms the gecko's status as a distinct species, showing a 9.7–12.9 per cent genetic divergence from its closest relatives in peninsular India, including H. jnana, H. nilgiriensis, and H. peninsularis.
Key morphological features setting the Venkatadri Slender Gecko apart include - the 12–16 chin scales, 6–8 pre-cloacal pores and 5–7 femoral pores separated by poreless scales.
The gecko was discovered from under tree bark in a sandalwood plantation surrounded by tropical dry deciduous forest at approximately 881 meters elevation.
Highlighting the under-explored biodiversity of the region, ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said "This is only the second species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus to be reported from Andhra Pradesh, the first being H. arakuensis".
She said discoveries like the Venkatadri Slender Gecko strongly reiterate the need for continued systematic exploration and molecular research in the Eastern Ghats as this region remains one of India's most underexplored biogeographic area.
"Yet it continues to yield a rich and growing list of new reptile species," Banerjee said.
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T20 WC star Samson named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March
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Dubai (PTI): India opener Sanju Samson was on Tuesday named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March, capping a stellar run that saw him play a defining role in the team's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
Samson did not get to play in the early part of the tournament but was the standout performer in the big games towards the end and helped India retain the title.
His latest honour also extends a unique streak, with players from different countries winning the award over the past five months including South Africa's Simon Harmer, Australia's Mitchell Starc, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan.
"Winning the ICC Player of the Month award is an incredible feeling, especially as it comes during what has been the most unforgettable phase of my cricketing journey. Playing a part in India's triumph at the Men's T20 World Cup was truly a dream realised, and it took some time for the magnitude of that moment to fully sink in," Samson said.
"This is an exciting era for Indian cricket, with immense talent across the board. I feel grateful for the opportunities I've received, and for the trust and support from my team-mates and coaching staff that have allowed me to perform at my best."
Not a regular part of the playing XI in the initial stages of the tournament, Samson was eventually called up for India's must-win Super 8 fixtures. After starting off with 24 against Zimbabwe, he picked form and didn't look back.
The opener missed out on a century against the West Indies by just three runs, but his attacking 97 not out set up India's spot in the semifinal.
A blistering 89 against England at the Wankhede helped India to 253 for 7, and the target proved elusive for the English who missed out by seven runs on March 5.
An equally amazing 89 was churned out during India's successful title defence in Ahmedabad, securing a 96-run win.
In the three crucial T20Is he was a part of in March, Samson notched up 275 runs at an astonishing average of 137.50 and a stunning strike rate of 199.27.
This is the first time that Samson has secured an ICC Men's Player of the Month honour.
New Zealand captain Melie Kerr won the women's honour for the third time, after an outstanding series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Taking over the white-ball teams from Sophie Devine, Kerr's captaincy seemed to have brought out the best in her with both the ball and the bat. In the Zimbabwe ODI series, she managed to snap 16 wickets in just three matches, including her career-best figures of 7/34.
Additionally, she also contributed with the bat, being the third highest run-scorer in the ODIs, scoring 140 runs across three games with an average of 46.67 in the counting month.
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