What are the broader implications of this discovery for the Dravidogecko genus in Western Ghats of India?

What are the broader implications of this discovery for 

the Dravidogecko genus in Western Ghats of India?

The discovery of Dravidogecko coonoor carries several broader implications for the Dravidogecko genus in the Western Ghats, highlighting both its significant biodiversity and critical conservation challenges:

•Increased Known Species Diversity: The identification of Dravidogecko coonoor means that the total number of Dravidogecko species found across the Western Ghats now stands at nine. This significant increase from the initial understanding (where the Coonoor gecko was once thought to be Dravidogecko anamallensis) underscores the rich and previously underestimated diversity within this genus in the region. The fact that extensive surveys throughout the Western Ghats led to the discovery of eight different Dravidogecko species suggests a dynamic and diverse evolutionary history for the genus.

•Unique Endemism to High Elevations: The Dravidogecko genus is notable as the only gecko species endemic to the high elevation regions of the Western Ghats. This unique characteristic makes the genus particularly important for understanding the specialized biodiversity of these montane ecosystems and emphasizes their reliance on these specific habitats.

•Widespread Conservation Concerns: The discovery of Dravidogecko coonoor as a "potentially threatened gecko species" whose known population exists entirely outside the protected area network raises significant concerns for the entire Dravidogecko genus. This vulnerability is due to factors such as habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and potentially climate change. Given that Dravidogecko species inhabit areas characterized by a matrix of montane forests and monoculture plantations amidst human habitations, with dominant human influence and only partial vegetation cover, it implies that other species within the genus are likely facing similar pressures, making their long-term survival a considerable challenge.

•Ongoing Research and Discovery Potential: The history of the Coonoor gecko's classification, initially mistaken for Dravidogecko anamallensis before extensive surveys revealed it and eight other distinct Dravidogecko species, suggests that there may still be more undiscovered or unclassified species within the genus across the Western Ghats. This highlights the importance of continued herpetological surveys and genetic studies in this biodiverse region.