New Species of Mountain Horned Dragon Identified in Thailand's High-Altitude Forests
DNA analysis confirmed the lizard as a distinct lineage, and researchers say its scattered populations make it vulnerable to habitat loss.
- In the evergreen forests of Mae Wong National Park, Thailand, researchers discovered a new mountain horned dragon species, Acanthosaura syrax, marking the 23rd known member of its genus.
- Named after Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's dragon in House of the Dragon, the lizard shares its namesake's yellow-green tones and modest size, with females laying large clutches of eggs ranging from 6 to 16.
- Genetic analysis of two genes confirmed the species is distinct from its closest relatives, while the lizard features a distinctive dark collar and lacks the black eye patch common in other species.
- Restricted to high-elevation evergreen forests above 1,300 meters, the species faces vulnerability due to its naturally scattered populations and reliance on this narrow, rugged habitat.
- Conservationists propose using the lizard as a flagship species for Mae Wong to promote environmental protection, aiming to safeguard rare wildlife including the Asian forest tortoise and Indochinese tiger.
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Thailand’s mountain forests have revealed a new horned dragon lizard, and scientists named it after Syrax from House of the Dragon
Animals & Pets News: High in the forests of western Thailand, a small, heavily scaled lizard has been given a name more familiar to television and fantasy fans than to mos.
Newly Found Thai Lizard Species Named After 'House of the Dragon' Beast
Deep in the mountain forests of western Thailand, scientists discovered a brand-new lizard, and named it after a dragon from House of the Dragon. The post Newly Found Thai Lizard Species Named After ‘House of the Dragon’ Beast appeared first on StudyFinds.
New species of mountain horned dragon identified in Thailand's high-altitude forests
Scientists have described a new species of lizard from the high mountain forests of western Thailand and have given it a name straight out of an American fantasy drama television series: Acanthosaura syrax, named after Syrax, the dragon ridden by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."
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