This tiny Thai lizard shares its name with a ‘House of the Dragon’ beast
Researchers have described a new-to-science species of horned lizard from the high-elevation, evergreen forests of western Thailand. The lizard, named the Syrax mountain horned dragon, or Acanthosaura syrax, in a recent study, was discovered in Mae Wong National Park. The species name syrax refers to the yellow dragon ridden by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in the […]
A newly discovered species of horned lizard has been identified in the mountainous forests of western Thailand, a discovery that highlights the country's rich biodiversity. The new species, scientifically named the Syrax mountain horned dragon or Acanthosaura syrax, was named after a distinctive yellow dragon in the fantasy series "House of the Dragon."
This particular species is characterized by its small size and unique yellow coloring, traits that led to its name. The researchers found the lizard exclusively in the higher mountain ranges of Mae Wong National Park, at elevations exceeding 1,300 meters. The discovery underscores the vast ecological richness of Thailand's forests, according to Krittiya Trivalairat, a study co-author and lecturer at Mahidol University.
The mountain horned dragons are a group of lizards that inhabit trees and possess a spiny crest along their necks and backs. The researchers carefully surveyed the park's rugged landscape, capturing live specimens for further study. These lizards were observed to move slowly, which facilitated their capture. Post-capture, the researchers documented the lizards' coloration through photographs before euthanizing them. The preserved specimens are now housed in Thailand's Natural History Museum for taxonomic review.
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