Newly Discovered Gecko Species in Vietnam Named After Researcher Promoting Biodiversity

A research team from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and colleagues has recently discovered a new species of lizard in Lao Cai province. Named after Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Luc for his contributions to biodiversity research in Vietnam, the Luc-toed lizard (Cyrtodactylus luci) is the first gecko species to be recorded in this province.

This fingered lizard is about 89.5 mm in size and 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 Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province. The research team discovered the species during a field survey of wildlife in the limestone mountain forests of this 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 to better understand their behavior and habitat preferences.

The discovery of new species helps introduce Vietnam’s biodiversity potential and provides scientific information about biological species. Research also helps evaluate the conservation status of species for classification in the Vietnam Red Book or IUCN Red List, leading to effective conservation solutions that protect these unique creatures for future generations.