Cuc Phuong Bent-toed gecko – Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis – Ngo & Onn, 2011

Science name: Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis – Ngo & Onn, 2011

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

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

Description:

Physical characteristics:
Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis is a medium-sized gecko with a snout-vent length (SVL) of up to 96 mm. It has 10 irregular longitudinal rows of conical tubercles at midbody and 42 rows of ventral scales between ventrolateral folds.
The species has 27 paravertebral tubercles between limb insertions and 19 subdigital lamellae on the first toe, with 24 lamellae on the fourth toe. There are 14 relatively enlarged scales beneath the thighs, arranged discontinuously.
Coloration and Appearance:
The gecko’s dorsal coloration is characterized by five or six irregular dark brown bands between limb insertions on a lighter background. The head is marked by large, dark spots, and a wide nuchal band tapers at both ends. The ventral side is generally pale without distinct markings, while the subcaudal scales are unpaired.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: Found at elevations around 100 meters above sea level.
Area: Endemic to northern Vietnam, Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis has been recorded in karst outcrops adjacent to the main road in Cuc Phuong National Park, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province.
Habitat: This species inhabits rocky areas, including inland cliffs and mountain peaks. It is typically found within forested regions of karst landscapes where it can shelter in rock crevices and climb stony walls.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle: Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis is primarily nocturnal, spending the daytime in crevices within limestone formations and emerging at night to hunt for small insects. It is adapted to climbing rocky surfaces within its forested environment.
Reproduction: The species is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. The exact reproductive cycle is not well-documented, but like other geckos in the genus, it is expected to lay a small clutch of eggs during the rainy season.
Diet: It feeds on small insects and other invertebrates, which are abundant in the forested and rocky habitats it inhabits.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Listed as Least Concern due to its occurrence within protected areas and the absence of immediate threats to its population.
Threats: Although the population trend is unknown, there is no evidence of significant habitat loss or fragmentation in its protected range. Habitat degradation due to human activity in nearby regions could potentially pose a future threat.
Remarks:
Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis was first described in 2011 from specimens collected in Cuc Phuong National Park. Its name reflects the park where it was first discovered. This species shares some similarities with other members of the Cyrtodactylus genus but is distinguished by its unique scale arrangement and coloration patterns.