TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team of researchers from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has successfully identified and described a new species of blind lizard from the genus Dibamus that is endemic to Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The species has been named Dibamus oetamai in honor of the late Jakob Oetama, a prominent figure in Indonesian journalism.
Researcher and Middle Expert of Biosystematics and Evolution Research Center at BRIN, Awal Riyanto, stated that the blind lizard is a fossorial reptile (living underground) with a body resembling a worm, degenerated eyes, and no legs in females (males have vestigial flap-like legs).
This genus is widely distributed from Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, but many of its species are still understudied due to the rarity of specimens and their secretive habits. "A critical journalist seeks, searches for facts, and broadcasts the truth no matter the outcome (Jill Abramson). Curiosity is the energy driving researchers to gather and analyze data to find the truth, although sometimes they may be wrong, but they never lie," Awal expressed in a written statement on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
According to Awal, Dibamus novaeguineae has been considered as a widely distributed species in Indonesia, including Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara. However, recent morphological and biogeographical research has revealed that the population on Buton Island has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other species within this genus.
This new species has been described based on significant morphological differences, including body size, with a maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of 145.7 millimeters; head scales lacking medial and lateral rostral sutures; frontal scales larger than frontonasal scales; a color pattern with two or three bright-colored stripes on the body; and an endemic habitat in the monsoon rainforest of Buton Island at an altitude below 400 meters above sea level.
The species has been named Dibamus oetamai in honor of Jakob Oetama, the founder of Kompas Gramedia, who made a significant contribution to Indonesian journalism. The proposed local name is Buton blind lizard.
This discovery enriches Indonesia's biodiversity, specifically the little-known fossorial reptiles. Dibamus oetamai is an example of how small islands like Buton can be home to uniquely evolved species in isolation.
"This finding shows that there is still a lot of undiscovered reptile diversity in Indonesia, especially in the Wallacea region, which is a hotspot of biodiversity," said Awal Riyanto.
The research team analyzed museum specimens from Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara, and conducted morphometric and meristic comparisons. The results showed that the Buton population has unique characteristics not found in other Dibamus species in the surrounding areas.
Due to its high endemism and limited distribution, Dibamus oetamai is potentially vulnerable to threats such as deforestation and habitat change. Protecting forest areas in Buton, such as the Lambusango Forest Conservation Area, is key to preserving this species.
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