Vietnam Leaf-toed Gecko – Hemidactylus vietnamensis – Darevsky, Kupriyanova & Roshchin, 1984

Science name: Hemidactylus vietnamensis – Darevsky, Kupriyanova & Roshchin, 1984

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

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

Description:

Physical characteristics: Hemidactylus vietnamensis is a medium-sized leaf-toed gecko characterized by its slender body and toe pads adapted for climbing. As a saxicolous species, it shows adaptations to rocky and arboreal environments, with its large toe pads aiding in climbing smooth surfaces like tree trunks and stone walls.

Coloration and Appearance: This species has a typical leaf-toed gecko appearance with a light brown or grayish body that blends well into rocky or tree environments. Its coloration provides effective camouflage in forested areas and against stone backgrounds.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: This species inhabits lowland areas.
Area: Hemidactylus vietnamensis is found primarily in northern Vietnam, particularly in the provinces of Bac Kan, Ninh Binh (Cuc Phuong National Park), Thanh Hoa (Ben En), Nghe An (Pu Huong), and Ha Nam Ninh. It may also occur in southern China, northeastern India, Laos, and Cambodia, although these locations remain speculative due to a lack of confirmed records.
Habitat: This species thrives in subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests. It is nocturnal and saxicolous, meaning it is often found on rocky outcrops, large tree trunks, and stone structures in human-made environments. The Vietnam Leaf-toed Gecko is adapted to forest edges.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle: Hemidactylus vietnamensis is a nocturnal species, active during the night and typically resting during the day on tree trunks or walls. Its ability to climb smooth surfaces and its saxicolous nature allow it to exploit various habitats from natural rocky outcrops to human-made structures.

Reproduction: This species is oviparous and parthenogenetic, meaning that females can reproduce without mating. The species lays eggs, and this reproductive strategy ensures the propagation of the species even in isolated or low-population environments.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Hemidactylus vietnamensis is listed as Least Concern (LC), as it is found in several protected areas and its population does not seem to be under significant threat.

Threats: While the exact population trend is unknown, there are no major threats documented for this species at present. Its ability to live in both natural and human-altered environments, like walls of stone buildings, gives it some resilience to habitat changes.

Conservation actions: Conservation measures include monitoring populations in Vietnam, particularly in protected areas like Cuc Phuong National Park. Additional field surveys are needed to better understand the range and potential threats to this species in neighboring countries.