A New Species of Gecko Discovered in Vietnam’s Limestone Mountains: Luc-Toed Lizard (Cyrtodactylus luci)

A new species of lizard, named the Luc-toed lizard (Cyrtodactylus luci), has been discovered by a research team from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and colleagues. This fingered lizard has yellow bumps on its back and limbs, with curved toes. It is the 53rd species of the Gecko genus recorded in Vietnam and is currently only found in the Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province.

The discovery was made during a field survey of wildlife in the limestone mountain forests of Lao Cai province. The Luc-toed lizard is active at night and often clings to cliffs or trees. They are found in secondary karst forests with small and medium hardwood trees. The team continues to study the population status, distribution, and ecological characteristics of the new species.

The new species was named after Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Luc for his contributions to biodiversity research in Vietnam. This is the first gecko species recorded in Lao Cai province. The Luc-toed lizard is about 89.5 mm in size, with copper-colored eyes, dark brown spots on its back, nape, and head, and genetic differences from other toe-toed lizards.

Researchers say that discovering new species helps introduce Vietnam’s biodiversity potential and provide scientific information about biological species. Studies also help evaluate the conservation status of species for classification in the Vietnam Red Book or IUCN Red List, leading to effective conservation solutions.

The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts to protect Vietnam’s unique flora and fauna for future generations.