Vietnam Gecko – Gekko vietnamensis – Sang, 2010

Science name: Gekko vietnamensis – Sang, 2010

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

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: VU (Vunerable)

Description: Physical characteristics: Gekko vietnamensis is a medium-sized gecko, with a snout-vent length (SVL) reaching up to 91 mm. It lacks precloacal and femoral pores and has no enlarged femoral scales. The rostral scale touches the nostril. It has 11–12 supralabial scales and 10–11 infralabial scales. The body is slender, with four indistinct transverse bands on the back and 28–30 scales across the mid-belly. The fourth toe has 18–20 undivided transverse lamellae, and the tail, which is longer than the SVL, has enlarged undivided subcaudal scales.

Coloration and Appearance: The body features faint bands and a pale, slender appearance. The tail is distinctively longer than the body, with expanded subcaudal scales.

Distribution and habitat: Elevation: Found at an elevation of approximately 43 meters above sea level.
Area: Gekko vietnamensis is known only from Tuc Dup Hill in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam. This species is likely endemic to this isolated hill, with a limited extent of occurrence.
Habitat: This species inhabits rocky areas such as inland cliffs and mountain peaks. It has been found on rocky outcrops within its restricted range.

Behaviour and ecology: Lifestyle: Gekko vietnamensis is both diurnal and nocturnal, active during the day and night. It typically inhabits rocky outcrops in coastal evergreen forests, where it forages for insects and other small invertebrates.

Reproduction: This species is oviparous, laying two eggs in rock crevices or cavities during the early rainy season each year.

Conservation and status: IUCN Red List Category and Criteria: Listed as Vulnerable (D2) due to its highly restricted range and potential threats to its habitat.

Threats: The main threat to Gekko vietnamensis is habitat loss, particularly from quarrying activities at the edges of its range. The species is confined to a small area, and any further habitat disturbance could severely impact its population.

Conservation actions: Protecting the habitat at Tuc Dup Hill is essential for the survival of this species. Monitoring quarrying activities and assessing the impact of habitat loss on the population are crucial for conservation efforts. Further research on the species’ population trends and distribution is needed.