New Lizard Species with โ’Knife-Like’ Scales Discovered โin Vietnam
A new species of spiny-backed lizard, Acanthosauraโข grismeri, has been identified by researchersโ from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in the Krong Bong mountainโข forest area of Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. The discoveryโข highlights the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia’s tropical forests.
Researchers describe the lizard as possessing rows of scales resembling knife blades along โฃits back, distinguishing it from related species. Male A. grismeri are a vibrant green with distinctive patterns,measuring โ7-9 โcentimeters in length. Females are slightly larger, reaching 10-11 centimeters, and exhibit a greenish to light brown coloration for camouflage.Unlike other members of the acanthosaura genus, this species lacks black patches around the eyes, rather displayingโค thin dark lines and white bands around the lips.
The identification of A. grismeri relied onโ an integrative taxonomic approach, combining genetic analysis, morphological data, โขand habitat location. Analysis of โthe COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I) gene revealed a genetic difference of 7.8-25.3โฃ percent between โthe new species and its closest relatives.
The lizard inhabits isolated, damp forests with tall trees and limited humanโฃ disturbance.Lead researcher Linh Tu Hoang Le emphasized the importance of theโ find, stating, “We haven’t finished getting to know the natural โworld aroundโข us. Every new species โbrings theโ message that there are many things we don’t understandโค and need to protect.” The discovery underscores the need for continued โconservation efforts in southeast Asia to โprotect its unique endemic species.
