Numerous new species of karst-dwelling geckos, belonging to different genera, have officially been described, following their discovery amongst limestone hills in Battambang Province, western Cambodia.
The finds suggest the largely unexplored limestone hills, or karsts, could be a sanctuary for other undiscovered wildlife.
Finding geckos
The Battambang leaf-toed gecko (Dixonius noctivagus), discovered during the survey, has just been confirmed as a new species. They’re covered in tiny leopard-like spots. Only two species of the Dixonius gecko genus have been identified in Cambodia, far fewer than in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam, which suggests it’s likely further undiscovered species exist in the landscape.
Four distinct sub-populations of the striped Kamping Poi bent-toed gecko were also found, which were identified as a new species in May: Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis.
Despite being described as just one species, it’s thought that, due to the geographic isolation of the karst formations, with migration between the karst formations extremely unlikely, these four populations are on separate evolutionary trajectories.
Further genetic analyses may reveal they are in fact four different species instead of one. But for now all four groups are considered a single, geographically variable species.
A third species of gecko, the Khpoh slender gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh), found during the same survey, was confirmed as a new species earlier this year.
Islands in the mountains
The survey was conducted in March 2024 and it took around 10 days, the team working by day and at night, covering an area of karst hills over an area of approximately 400 square kilometres.
The team included members from Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia team, staff from the country’s Ministry of Environment, and a group of expert herpetologists led by California’s La Sierra University.
"For someone passionate about wildlife, few things beat discovering a species that’s new to science, so to have three beautiful new geckos result from a single field trip is just ridiculously exciting,” says Pablo Sinovas, Country Director for Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia Programme.
"All three are adapted to karst habitats. These limestone hills often rise from the landscape like islands, so populations on each one are effectively isolated from each other. Over time, tiny changes accumulate until they become different species. In a way, karst habitats are like 'evolution laboratories’, giving rise to species found nowhere else on Earth - these geckos are a perfect representation of such a process.
"We named two of the geckos after the hills where they were discovered, to highlight how unique and irreplaceable these areas are. The third, Dixonius noctivagus, means 'night wanderer’, reflecting their nocturnal habits, and the fact that searching for them involved scrambling over sharp rocks and into caves at night.”
Conservationists believe this "understudied” karst area of Cambodia could contain other species of gecko, as well as other wildlife that’s waiting to be found, emphasising the need for continued research and greater protection.
“Although karst landscapes are among the most biodiverse habitats on the planet, less than 1% of them are formally protected,” says Sinovas.
“It’s not just geckos that we found. In the same area, we’ve already uncovered new species of snails and millipedes. That’s likely only scratching the surface, and we’re certain there is much more out there, still hiding in the caves and rock cracks. That’s why we’re heading back soon.”
Findings of rare and endangered wildlife help make the case for increased conservation efforts. “Our next step is to work with the Cambodian government to formally designate and protect key sites,” Sinovas explains.
"With demand for cement rising, this is urgently needed, so that species are not erased forever. Initial discussions with government partners have been encouraging, and the new species discoveries have definitely helped spark interest and momentum. We’ll also work to assess the conservation status of the new geckos. We expect they will qualify as Critically Endangered, due to their extremely limited range.”
Top image: fieldwork in Battambang Province. Credit: Pablo Sinovas, Fauna & Flora
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