New Species of Gecko from Vietnam

[Coleonyx]

13:55' 05/06/2007 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - A group of Vietnamese and German scientists have discovered a new species of gecko at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a world natural heritage site in the central province of Quang Binh.

Genetic and ADN examinations confirm that this type of gecko has never been recorded before.

The gecko has been named Cryptus by Dr. Thomas Ziegler from Germany’s Cologne Zoo. The reptile’s skin colour and scale patterns differ from other species found in Vietnam and neighbouring countries.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2007/06/702754/

 

[Coleonyx]

Vietnamese and German zoologists announced Monday the discovery of a new gecko species in Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
Dr. Thomas Ziegler from Germany’s Cologne Zoo said the scales and pores on the skin of the new species, named the Phong Nha-Ke Bang bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis), were different from those on known species.

Further analysis of its genetic characters showed that it was found nowhere else.

The discovery was made by experts from the zoo, Vietnam’s Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Hanoi National University, and other agencies.

Situated some 50km northwest of Quang Binh province’s Dong Hoi town, the park was recognized as a world natural heritage site by UNESCO in 2003.