About Hemiphyllodactylus Venkatadri:
- It is a new species of slender Gecko belonging to the genus Hemiphyllodactylus.
- It was discovered from Tirumala hill ranges within the Seshachalam biosphere reserve in Andhra Pradesh.
- It derives its name from the sacred Venkatadri Hills.
- It is the second slender gecko species recorded from Andhra Pradesh, after Hemiphyllodactylus arakuensis.
- Features of Hemiphyllodactylus Venkatadri
- Venkatadri slender geckos are considered “small,” reaching just over 2 inches in length.
- Their limbs are short, and they have “spurs” at the base of their tails.
Key Facts about Seshachalam biosphere reserve
- It is also known as Tirupati-Kadapa hills are one of the major landscapes of Eastern Ghats of Southern Andhra Pradesh.
- It was designated Biosphere Reserve in 2010.
- These ranges have typical gorges and gaps due to faulting and stream erosion resulting in discontinuous
- The highest hill peak is Tellaralla penta.
- It comprises famous sacred shrines collectively called as Tirumala hills are the abode of Lord Venkateswara or Balaji.
