PHNOM PENH: Three gecko species which were identified by a team of environmental scientists in March 2024 in the Phnom Thmor Kambor mountain range in Battambang province have officially been recognised as new species to science.
The Ministry of Environment and Fauna & Flora-Cambodia announced on Tuesday (July 1), that the results of the scientist’s findings have confirmed that the three scientists are globally new to science.
They include the Striped Kamping Poi Bent-Toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis), found in the mountains of Kamping Poi, Banan, Sampov, and Khpoh, as well as the Battambang Leaf-Toed Gecko (Dixonius noctivagus), found in the same location, and the Khpoh Gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh), found in limestone karsts in Banan district.
Based on the discovery sites and the limited known distribution of these species, the research team has proposed that all three be listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to their likely small and vulnerable populations.
The team of scientists was composed of researchers from the ministry, Fauna & Flora-Cambodia and La Sierra University in the US.
The discoveries highlight the ecological importance of the Phnom Thmor Kambor mountain ecosystem in Cambodia, which serves as a habitat for rare and unique biodiversity. Much of this limestone region remains understudied, leading scientists to believe that many more rare and endemic species may still exist there, awaiting discovery.
The ministry expressed hope that this finding will help strengthen conservation efforts and protection of these high-value ecosystems.
The research was funded by European Union (EU) support through Bcoming project. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
