November 21, 2024
PHNOM PENH – International conservation NGO Wild Earth Allies (WEA) has announced an astonishing discovery in the Kingdom’s rugged Cardamom Mountains: Three new species of slender gecko.
According to a November 19 WEA press release, one of the species is newly recognised in the Kingdom, while two were previously unknown to science.
The discoveries were made by the organisation’s conservation manager Neang Thy and herpetologist Dr. Bryan Stuart of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS).
“Their findings, published in peer-reviewed taxonomy journal Zootaxa, underscore the importance of conservation in Cambodia, one of Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse countries,” added the release.
The NGO has been conducting extensive research expeditions to the Cardamoms, while working closely with the Ministry of Environment’s General Department of Protected Areas and specialists from the NCMNS.
According to the release, Neang identified the newly described slender gecko species, Hemiphyllodactylus bokor sp. nov. and Hemiphyllodactylus samkos sp. nov., through detailed morphological and molecular analyses, in collaboration with Stuart.
Mr. Neang Thy, conservation manager at Wild Earth Allies, also identified Hemiphyllodactylus samkos, another previously unknown species, this time in Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat province. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/THE PHNOM PENH POST
The two previously unknown species were discovered in the Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in Kampot province and the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat Province, respectively. The two critical wildlife areas are situated at opposite ends of the Cardamom Mountains.
In their most recent publication, the authors also documented Hemiphyllodactylus typus in Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, marking its first recorded presence in Cambodia.
While both H. typus and the newly identified species, H. bokor sp. nov., occur in Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, H. typus appears to inhabit lower elevations, while H. bokor sp. nov. is found in higher habitats.
“These discoveries mark a significant step forward in our understanding of Cambodia’s rich biodiversity,” said Neang.
“The new species highlight the incredible biodiversity hidden within the Cardamom Mountains and a clear need for ongoing research and conservation in Cambodia,” he added.
Mr. Neang Thy, conservation manager at Wild Earth Allies, has personally contributed to the discovery and description of 31 separate species. PHOTO: WILD EARTH ALLIES/THE PHNOM PENH POST
Neang and Stuart recently collaborated on describing a new species of bent-toed gecko, the Royal cave bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus regicavernicolus), also found in southern Cambodia.
With these findings, Neang has now contributed to the discovery and description of 31 species, illustrating his major personal contribution to the understanding of the Kingdom’s unique and precious wildlife.
“Thy’s field discoveries show that different blocks within the Cardamom Mountains harbour unique species,” said Stuart.
“They emphasise the need to conserve areas throughout the mountain range in order to protect its phenomenal biodiversity,” he added.