A small mountain lizard in western Thailand has been named after a dragon from House of the Dragon.
Scientists identified the new species as Acanthosaura syrax, a mountain horned dragon found in evergreen forest within Mae Wong National Park in Tak-Kamphaeng Phet Province, at elevations above 1,300 metres. So far, it has not been found anywhere else.
The discovery raises the number of recognised species in the genus Acanthosaura to 23.
The research was led by Poramad Trivalairat and colleagues from Chulabhorn Royal Academy and Kasetsart University. The team chose the name Syrax after the dragon ridden by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
According to the summary of the study, the researchers linked the name to several traits shared by the fictional dragon and the lizard. A. syrax has yellowish-green colouring, is among the smallest species in its genus, and produces relatively large clutches of eggs for its body size.
The scientists proposed “Syrax mountain horned dragon” as its English common name, along with a Thai name with the same meaning.
The species also stands apart from related lizards in other ways. It has the smallest neck and back crest scales yet documented in the genus, and it does not have a black patch around the eye. Instead, it has a dark collar marking.
Genetic testing backed up those physical differences. An analysis of two genes showed A. syrax is genetically distinct from its closest known relative, A. lepidogaster, and from every other recognised species in the group.
The researchers said the lizard appears to occupy only a narrow zone of high-altitude forest. They said the rugged terrain naturally separates its populations across the mountain range, which could leave the species especially vulnerable if its habitat comes under added pressure.
The team urged stronger protection for the high-elevation forests of Mae Wong. They suggested A. syrax could become a flagship species for conservation in the region, alongside other rare animals found there, including the Asian forest tortoise, Oldham’s leaf turtle and the Indochinese tiger.
The study was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
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