Unraveling a 153-Year-Old Mystery: The Naming of a Lizard

The Zoological Survey of India has resolved a long-standing confusion regarding the naming of the Persian Long-Tailed Desert Lizard. Originally discovered by Ferdinand Stoliczka in 1872, ambiguity over its official specimen has persisted. ZSI scientists have now confirmed the specimen from Kolkata as the definitive example.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Kolkata | Updated: 22-05-2025 13:44 IST | Created: 22-05-2025 13:44 IST

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In a groundbreaking resolution, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has finally given an official name to the Persian Long-Tailed Desert Lizard, a species discovered more than a century ago by Ferdinand Stoliczka.

The naming confusion, due to scattered specimens in global museums, has been clarified with the selection of the Kolkata specimen as the definitive example.

ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee affirmed that this official designation will streamline future research, recognizing the historic importance of Stoliczka's collections in South Asian reptile taxonomy.

(With inputs from agencies.)