New finger lizard species in Khanh Hoa

Scientists have just announced the discovery of a new lizard fingerling in the eastern tip of Khanh Hoa province.

The eastern finger lizard Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis.(Photo: Phung My Trung)

The new species is named Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis . Their names are placed in the distribution area of ​​Van Thanh commune, Van Ninh district, Khanh Hoa province. This species has morphological characteristics similar to the Cyrtodactylus catienensis fairy sand lizard found in Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai province in 2010.

According to the Vietnam Forest Biology Website, the eastern lizard toe lizard is of medium size, with light brown spots on its back. They have a head and body length of more than 65mm. This is the 33rd finger lizard recorded in Vietnam.

The easternmost point is the place adjacent to the mainland closest to the South China Sea and is an area with a rather harsh weather climate. This place is very difficult to access because the coastal forests are rich in thorny plants, growing into the mother rocks. Scientists who discovered two new species here in 2011 and 2013 are Gekko truongi geckos and kingsadai Cyrtodactylus kingsadai lizards.