Cucdong Bent-toed Gecko – Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis – Schneider, Phung, Le, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2014

Science name: Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis – Schneider, Phung, Le, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2014

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Reptilia>> Squamata >> Gekkonidae >> cucdongensis

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: LC (Least Concern)

Description:

Physical characteristics:
Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis is a medium-sized bent-toed gecko with a maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of 65.9 mm. Its tail is longer than the body, giving it an elongated appearance.
It has 16–19 rows of dorsal tubercles and 41–44 rows of ventral scales at midbody. The species lacks enlarged femoral pores, but both males and females exhibit 5–9 enlarged precloacal scales.
The subcaudal scales are not transversely enlarged, and the fourth toe has 14–19 subdigital lamellae. Both males and females have small white postcloacal spurs.
Coloration and Appearance:
The gecko has a light brown or beige dorsal coloration with irregular dark bands on the back. These bands extend across the trunk, forming 4–5 distinct dark brown stripes with light-colored borders. A dark U-shaped nape stripe is present, but it is often not continuous.
The head has irregular dark spots, and the tail displays 8–11 dark bands that become faint towards the ventral side, providing camouflage against the rocky and forested habitat.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: Found at elevations ranging from 5 to 50 meters above sea level.
Area: Endemic to southern Vietnam, Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis has been recorded in the Cuc Dong Cape in Ninh Hoa District, Khánh Hòa Province. This species is found in coastal evergreen forests and granitic stone areas within its limited range.
Habitat: The species inhabits mixed secondary forests near coastal areas, characterized by rocky outcrops and granitic stones. These forests are composed of small prickly shrubs and trees from families such as Annonaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Ebenaceae, and Fabaceae.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle: Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis is nocturnal, typically emerging at night to hunt for small insects. It prefers rocky outcrops and boulders within its habitat for shelter.
Reproduction: This species is oviparous, with females laying 2 eggs in rock crevices or tree hollows during the early rainy season.
Diet: It feeds primarily on small insects, which are abundant in the forest floor and rocky habitats.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Listed as Least Concern due to its stable population and presence in protected areas. While the species has a small range, it faces no major threats at present.
Threats: Although there is habitat modification in parts of its range, there are no immediate threats that significantly impact its survival. The species’ habitat in coastal forests is relatively stable.
Remarks:
Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis was first discovered and described in 2014 from the Cuc Dong Cape, which is reflected in its name. This species is closely related to Cyrtodactylus cattienensis but differs in size, dorsal tubercle rows, and the number of precloacal pores.