First discovery of a new species of toe-toed lizard in Lao Cai

The new toed lizard has yellow bumps scattered on its back and limbs. The toes on each limb are curved in the middle .

A research team from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and colleagues discovered a new species of fingered lizard , currently only recorded in Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province. This species belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus , the 53rd species of the Gecko genus recorded in Vietnam. The work has just been published in Zookeys magazine.

Scientists named the new species Luc-toed lizard ( Cyrtodactylus luci ) , after Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Luc, former Director of the Vietnam Museum of Nature, a zoologist with great contributions to research. on biodiversity in Vietnam. Notably, this is the first species of gecko recorded to be distributed in Lao Cai province.

A male Luc-toed lizard was recorded in the wild. (Photo: Research team).

Luc's toed lizard is about 89.5 mm in size, has copper-colored eyes with yellow edges like eyelids and a row of tubercles around the middle of its body. The back, nape and head have dark brown spots. DNA analysis shows that the new species has at least 9% genetic difference from other toe-toed lizards.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong, representative of the research team, said that the fingered lizard was discovered during a field survey of wildlife in the limestone mountain forests of Lao Cai province. The new species was identified based on differences in morphological and genetic characteristics compared to other species in the genus Cyrtodactylus in Vietnam and around the world.

He said that the behavior of fingered lizards is active at night, often clinging to cliffs or trees . Therefore, scientists conducted a survey at night in the forest to collect samples for analysis and research.

Luc's toed lizards usually live in secondary karst forests consisting of small and medium hardwood trees, mixed with shrubs and vines.

Fingered lizards have 12-15 large scales on the underside of each thigh, of which 9-12 thigh holes in males and 5-10 thigh holes in females, pictured is a female individual. (Photo: Research team).

The new lizard species lives on cliffs or trees and is active at night. (Photo: Research team).

According to Professor Truong, the discovery and announcement of new species is the first step to introduce Vietnam's biodiversity potential and supplement scientific information about biological species. The research team continues to evaluate the population status, additionally record the distribution area of ​​this species in neighboring areas, and research biological and ecological characteristics.

"Research helps evaluate the conservation status of species for classification in the Vietnam Red Book or IUCN Red List to propose effective solutions for species conservation ," he said.