Исследование раскрыло скрытые истории индийских рептилий в их научных названиях

1,047 Indian reptile names reveal hidden stories of places, people and local languages in new study A new study explores the meanings behind 1,047 Indian reptile names, revealing fascinating links to local languages, geographical locations, people and the animals themselves. September 06, 2026 / 12:48 IST A new study explores the meanings behind 1,047 Indian reptile names, revealing fascinating links to local languages. (Image: Canva) Market Mastery Webinar by Vishal Malkan Find the weak links in your portfolio by Vishal Malkan India is home to 1,047 reptile taxa, according to a new study that explores the meanings and origins behind their scientific names. The updated checklist includes 839 species and 30 subspecies across 178 genera. It covers three crocodiles, 35 turtles, 370 snakes and 431 lizards. The study examines reptile records spanning 267 years, from 1758 to December 2025. Researchers say scientific names can reveal stories about places, people, languages and natural history. 304 species described since 2000 The study highlights how quickly knowledge of India's reptiles is expanding. Researchers found that 304 species, or about 36% of the total, have been described since 2000. The latest checklist published in 2024 contained 778 taxa. Since its December 2023 cut-off, three more genera and 59 species have been described. This suggests that significant reptile diversity remains to be documented across India. Places hidden in reptile names Location-based names are among the most common sources. Researchers identified 227 names derived from places. Some include andamanensis, referring to the Andaman Islands, and himalayanus, referring to the Himalayas. Other names point to the Khasi Hills and historic Travancore region. Local languages also survive The research found 19 genera and 34 species with names derived from local languages. The cobra genus Naja, for example, comes from the Sinhala word naya, meaning cobra. The turtle genus Chitra appears linked to the Sanskrit word chitra. It means variegated or multicoloured. Batagur kachuga also reflects language history. Its species name comes from the Hindi word kachua, meaning turtle. Scientists are part of the story People have also left their mark on reptile taxonomy. The researchers identified 226 names based on people. Some honour scientists and naturalists who contributed to herpetology. But not every name has a clear origin. At least five reptile names remain uncertain or unclear. The study aims to make taxonomy easier for the public to understand. It shows that behind a complicated scientific name can be a story about India's biodiversity, languages, landscapes and people. Gurpreet Singh first published: Sep 6, 2026 12:48 pm Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated! Watch