Pù Hu bent-toed gecko – Cyrtodactylus puhuensis – Nguyen, Yang, Thi Le, Nguyen, Orlov, Hoang, Nguyen, Jin, Rao, Hoang, Che, Murphy & Zhang, 2014

Science name: Cyrtodactylus puhuensis – Nguyen, Yang, Thi Le, Nguyen, Orlov, Hoang, Nguyen, Jin, Rao, Hoang, Che, Murphy & Zhang, 2014

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

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

Description:

Physical characteristics: Cyrtodactylus puhuensis is a medium-sized gecko, with a snout-vent length (SVL) of 79.24 mm and a tail longer than its body at 82.59 mm. The body is slender, with a distinct head that is slightly longer than wide. The species has 8 supralabials and 10 infralabials, and its dorsal tubercles are smooth or slightly keeled. There are 23 narrow subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe and 36 transverse ventral scales along the body. Males have five precloacal pores, but there are no femoral pores. The tail features moderately enlarged transversal subcaudal scales, and the femoral scales extend from the precloacal area.

Coloration and Appearance: The body is chocolate brown with irregular pale yellow bands along the back. The tubercles on the back are pale yellow to white, contrasting against the darker body color. The head is dark brown with yellowish patterns, and the tail displays alternating black and white bands. The limbs and toes also have faint pale blotches or bands. The ventral side is light-colored, with a white hue on the belly and undersides of the limbs.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: Found at an elevation of 638 meters above sea level.
Area: Cyrtodactylus puhuensis is endemic to Vietnam, specifically recorded in the Pù Hu Nature Reserve, Thanh Hoa Province.
Habitat: This species inhabits evergreen forests mixed with bamboo. It has been observed at night on large trees approximately 2.5 meters above the forest floor, fallen trees, and near streams. It is found in both primary and secondary forests.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle: Cyrtodactylus puhuensis is nocturnal and arboreal, actively foraging at night in the forest. It prefers large trees and rocky areas as its habitat and is often found near streams.
Reproduction: The species is oviparous, with females laying two eggs in the early rainy season.
Diet: It primarily feeds on small insects found in its forest habitat.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Listed as Least Concern due to its presence in protected areas and the lack of significant threats to its population.
Threats: While the species is currently stable, deforestation and habitat degradation could pose future risks. However, it is found in a protected nature reserve, which helps mitigate immediate threats.