Neangthy gecko found in Cambodia's Cardamon Mountain ranges.Iewy News
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of South East Asian Cnemaspis gecko from the rocky foothills of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains and named it in honour of Cambodian scientist Mr. Neang Thy, who heads up conservation charity Fauna & Flora International’s (FFI) Cardamom Mountains Research Group.
The new species was found during a reptile and amphibian survey led by Dr Lee Grismer, La Sierra University and FFI in June 2007.
‘Cnemaspis neangthyi has been named in honor of Mr Neang in recognition of his important contributions to the study of Cambodia’s reptiles and amphibians and his untiring efforts and personal sacrifice to support conservation research in his country,’ said Dr Grismer.
This week, results of the 2007 herpetology survey show that this species of Cnemaspis gecko discovered by the team is new to science. The unique combination of its colour pattern and scale characteristics, not seen in any other South East Asian species of Cnemaspis, has resulted in it being officially recognised as new to science.
“I am very happy and proud to have a species named after me,” said Mr Neang.
“It gives me much pleasure and makes me feel my work as a herpetologist is being recognised. I hope it will stimulate Cambodian people to think about the animals they see in their everyday life and make them realise these animals are often named after a specific call they make, the shape they have, the class they belong to or the person who discovered them.”
This is the second species of the Cnemaspis genus to be found in Cambodia. It is endemic to the Cardamom Mountains, meaning it lives nowhere else on Earth.
FFI’s biological surveys of the southwestern Cardamom Mountains have shown the area to be one of the most important areas for biodiversity conservation in Asia, sheltering. The area is home to more than 62 threatened animal and 17 threatened tree species, many of them unique to this region.
“There are likely many more species to be discovered in the Cardamom Mountains,” said Mr Neang.
“Maybe this will also help to involve Cambodian people more in the conservation of species, landscapes and habitats. If we do not do this, many animals in Cambodia may soon become extinct and we will not be able to show them to our children.” he said.
The entire Cardamom region is now under increasing pressures from development. Mr. Neang lives and works in Phnom Penh with his wife and three children. He is the Head of Research for
FFI’s Cardamom Mountains Research Group and Head of Botanical Garden, General Department for Administration of Nature Conservation & Protection (GDANCP), Ministry of Environment.
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of South East Asian Cnemaspis gecko from the rocky foothills of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains and named it in honour of Cambodian scientist Mr. Neang Thy, who heads up conservation charity Fauna & Flora International’s (FFI) Cardamom Mountains Research Group.
The new species was found during a reptile and amphibian survey led by Dr Lee Grismer, La Sierra University and FFI in June 2007.
‘Cnemaspis neangthyi has been named in honor of Mr Neang in recognition of his important contributions to the study of Cambodia’s reptiles and amphibians and his untiring efforts and personal sacrifice to support conservation research in his country,’ said Dr Grismer.
This week, results of the 2007 herpetology survey show that this species of Cnemaspis gecko discovered by the team is new to science. The unique combination of its colour pattern and scale characteristics, not seen in any other South East Asian species of Cnemaspis, has resulted in it being officially recognised as new to science.
“I am very happy and proud to have a species named after me,” said Mr Neang.
“It gives me much pleasure and makes me feel my work as a herpetologist is being recognised. I hope it will stimulate Cambodian people to think about the animals they see in their everyday life and make them realise these animals are often named after a specific call they make, the shape they have, the class they belong to or the person who discovered them.”
This is the second species of the Cnemaspis genus to be found in Cambodia. It is endemic to the Cardamom Mountains, meaning it lives nowhere else on Earth.
FFI’s biological surveys of the southwestern Cardamom Mountains have shown the area to be one of the most important areas for biodiversity conservation in Asia, sheltering. The area is home to more than 62 threatened animal and 17 threatened tree species, many of them unique to this region.
“There are likely many more species to be discovered in the Cardamom Mountains,” said Mr Neang.
“Maybe this will also help to involve Cambodian people more in the conservation of species, landscapes and habitats. If we do not do this, many animals in Cambodia may soon become extinct and we will not be able to show them to our children.” he said.
The entire Cardamom region is now under increasing pressures from development. Mr. Neang lives and works in Phnom Penh with his wife and three children. He is the Head of Research for
FFI’s Cardamom Mountains Research Group and Head of Botanical Garden, General Department for Administration of Nature Conservation & Protection (GDANCP), Ministry of Environment.
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