AssetID: 54978338
Headline: Three new gecko species discovered in Cambodia's remote caves
Caption: **VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** Scientists have discovered not one but three new species of karst-dwelling geckos in previously unexplored limestone hills in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. The gecko species were found by a survey team including Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia team, Ministry of Environment staff and a group of expert herpetologists led by La Sierra University; with funding from European Union (EU) through the Bcoming project. Pablo Sinovas, Country Director, Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme and survey team member, comments: “Cambodia’s karst landscapes remain largely uncharted, their vast biodiversity still underreported, yet they face increasing pressure from human activities – from tourism development to industrial-scale destruction caused by mining for building materials. We must prioritise the protection of these fragile karst ecosystems before rare species are lost forever. “Small and cryptic, species like these newly described geckos often escape notice. Yet each is a unique product of millions of years of evolution, finely adapted to its own limestone outcrop, shaped by a slow, intricate dance between geology and biology. Bringing them to light is just the beginning of an exciting journey, one we hope will lead to the protection of these remarkable karst landscapes.” Four populations of the striped Kamping Poi bent-toed gecko were found and identified as a new species: Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis. Despite being described as just one species, it is thought that, due to the geographic isolation of the karst formations, these four populations are on separate evolutionary trajectories, and further genetic analyses may reveal whether they are in fact four different species instead of one. Allopatric speciation occurs when several individuals of one species become geographically disconnected from other individuals of the same species. The isolated population then adapts and evolves independently – eventually becoming distinct and genetically separate enough to be considered a different species; or deemed a new species based on a range of factors, including isolation, anatomy and genetics. Because the newly discovered populations are separated by 5-20km of uninhabitable terrain, migration between the karst formations is extremely unlikely. However, until the absence of gene flow between the populations is unequivocally confirmed, for now, all four groups are considered a single, geographically variable species. Allopatric speciation is common in karst landscapes because of the geographic barriers between karst formations, caused by erosion, changing water courses and development of land for agriculture. This is one reason that these landscapes are home to a wide range of species and a factor that contributes to the fragility of karst ecosystems – the destruction of a single formation can wipe out an entire species. Another species discovered during the survey, the Battambang leaf-toed gecko – Dixonius noctivagus – is covered in tiny leopard-like spots. Named after their nocturnal habits, “noctivagus” means “night wanderer” in Latin. Only two species of the Dixonius gecko genus have been identified in Cambodia, far fewer than in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam, which indicates it is likely that further undiscovered species exist in the landscape. A third species of gecko – Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh – was also found during the same survey and previously confirmed as a new species, described in the Zootaxa journal. Given the distribution of these newly discovered geckos, each is likely to meet the IUCN criteria of distinct genetic lineages that are Critically Endangered.
Keywords: gecko, animal, feature, species, lizard, animals, nature, photo, video
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