‘Large’-eyed creature with ‘bent’ toes found in cave of Thailand. It’s a new species
Inside a cave in Thailand sat a “slender” creature with “bent” toes. Its “large” eyes scanned the surrounding rocks, but it wasn’t the only one looking around.
Visiting scientists spotted the scaly animal — and discovered a new species.
Researchers ventured into a cave on Khao Nam Phu hill in 2003 to search for wildlife, according to a study published Sept. 19 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. They suspected the cave might be home to some overlooked animals.
And they were right.
During the visit, researchers found a trio of unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. They captured the animals and, after taking a closer look, realized they’d discovered a new species: Cyrtodactylus meesookae, or the Khao Nam Phu bent-toed gecko.
Khao Nam Phu bent-toed geckos can reach about 7 inches in length, the study said. They have “slender” bodies with “long” limbs, clawed toes and spiky “spurs” at the base of their tails. Their “long” heads have “large,” golden eyes.
Photos shared on Facebook by Zootaxa show the brown coloring of the new species. Bands of dark brown, black and light brown stretch across its back. Overall, the pattern may help it blend in with its surroundings.
Khao Nam Phu bent-toed geckos live in a limestone cave but emerge at night to feed, the study said. The lizards were found both inside the cave and “just outside its entrance.”
Researchers said they named the new species “meesookae” after Worawitoo Meesook, a Thai biologist, lecturer and friend of the study’s co-authors, for her research contributions.
The Khao Nam Phu bent-toed gecko’s common name refers to the hill where it was discovered and, so far, the only area where it has been found, the study said. This site is in Saraburi Province and a roughly 90-mile drive northeast of Bangkok.
Khao Nam Phu bent-toed geckos are not facing “any immediate threat,” but are still “among the most endangered vertebrates” due to their “restricted” range, per the study.
The new species was identified by its scale pattern, coloring, body shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis.
The research team included Montri Sumontha, Nonn Panitvong, Kirati Kunya, Nattasuda Donbundit, Winai Suthanthangjai, Maneerat Suthanthangjai, Eakarit Phanamphon and Olivier S. G. Pauwels.
Researchers also discovered a second new species: the Erawan bent-toed gecko.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 10:01 AM with the headline "‘Large’-eyed creature with ‘bent’ toes found in cave of Thailand. It’s a new species."
