‘Large’-eyed creature — with ‘triangular’ head — found above cave. It’s a new species
As darkness fell across a rocky forest in Vietnam, a “large”-eyed creature climbed up to its perch above the entrance of a cave. The humid night would prove to be quite eventful.
Visiting scientists spotted the scaly animal — and discovered a new species.
Researchers ventured into the mountainous forests of Vân Hồ District in 2022 and 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published July 24 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. They were searching for reptiles.
During the nighttime surveys, researchers found three unfamiliar-looking geckos near a cave, the study said. They took a closer look at the lizards and realized they’d discovered a new species: Hemiphyllodactylus vanhoensis, or the Vanho slender gecko.
Vanho slender geckos can reach just over 3 inches in length, the study said. They have “triangular” heads, “large” eyes and “rounded” snouts. Their limbs are “short” and “robust” with several clawed fingers.
A photo shows the brown mosaic pattern of a male Vanho slender gecko. Its body is covered in dark brown, light brown and cream blotches. Its tail appears striped.
Female Vanho slender geckos had a similar pattern but slightly lighter coloring, other photos show. The geckos’ eyes appear to blend in with the rest of the mottled pattern.
Vanho slender geckos live in rocky karst forests at elevations of roughly 3,500 feet, the study said. The lizards were found on humid nights perched about 15 feet off the ground on leaves above the entrance of a rock cave.
Researchers said they named the new species after Vân Hồ District where it was discovered and, so far, the only area where it has been found. This district is in northwestern Vietnam, a roughly 1,000-mile drive northeast from Ho Chi Minh City and along the border with Laos.
The new species was identified by its scale pattern, coloring, fingers and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 3% genetic divergence from other related gecko species.
The research team included Vinh Quang Luu, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Hong Bich Ha, Jesse Grismer, Matthew Murdoch, Saly Sitthivong, Vilay Phimpasone and L. Lee Grismer.
The team also discovered another new species of slender gecko in Laos.
This story was originally published July 25, 2024 at 1:12 PM with the headline "‘Large’-eyed creature — with ‘triangular’ head — found above cave. It’s a new species."
