Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in the alpine forests of western Thailand. Named Acanthosaura sirox, the species was inspired by Syrax, the dragon ridden by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
Acanthosaura sirox belongs to a group of agamid lizards known as mountain horned dragons. The newly described species is distinguished by a prominent spiny crest that runs along its neck and back.
Researchers found the lizard in an evergreen forest more than 1,300 meters above sea level in Mae Wong National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province, Thailand. It has not yet been recorded anywhere else. The discovery brings the total number of recognized species in the genus Acanthosaura to 23.
The study was led by Polamad Trivalairat and colleagues from Chulabhorn Royal Academy and Kasetsart University. The researchers selected the name Syrax because several traits of the fictional dragon resemble characteristics of the newly identified mountain horned lizard.
Why scientists named the lizard Syrax
In the fantasy series, Syrax is known for its vivid yellow color, relatively small size compared with other dragons, and unusually high egg production.
Researchers found comparable traits in A. sirox. The lizard has a yellow-green body, is the smallest known species in its genus, and lays relatively large eggs in proportion to its body size. Scientists proposed “Syrax Mountain Horned Dragon” as its English common name, along with a Thai name carrying the same meaning.
The fantasy-inspired name is not the only feature that sets this species apart. The scales forming its neck and back crest are the smallest recorded in the genus, while its overall body size is also unusually small. Unlike some closely related species, A. sirox lacks black spots around the eyes and instead has a distinctive dark collar marking.
DNA confirms a distinct lizard species
Genetic analysis supported the physical differences identified by the research team. After examining two genes, scientists confirmed that A. sirox is genetically distinct from its closest known relative, A. lepidogaster, as well as from all other recognized species in the group.
The newly discovered lizard appears to occupy a very limited area of highland forest. Researchers believe the region’s rugged terrain naturally isolates populations across mountain ranges, potentially making the species vulnerable if its habitat faces increased environmental pressure.
The research team is calling for stronger protection of Mae Wong National Park’s high-altitude forests. They suggest that A. sirox could become an important flagship species for conservation in the region, alongside other rare animals such as the Asian wood turtle, Oldham’s turtle, and the Indochinese tiger.
The research describing the new Thai mountain horned dragon was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com