New gecko species discovered in Vietnam’s imperiled karst ecosystems honors world-renowned herpetologist Dr. Thomas Ziegler

Scientists identify two new gecko species in Vietnam, naming one after Dr. Thomas Ziegler, while warning of habitat loss in the Son La Province.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 11:32 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Pensoft Publishers

The Surge of Discovery in Cryptic Gecko Taxonomy

The genus Hemiphyllodactylus, commonly known as half leaf-fingered geckos, has recently undergone a dramatic taxonomic expansion. Historically neglected due to their small body size and cryptic lifestyles, these geckos are now the subject of intense integrative research that combines molecular and morphological evidence. In the last decade alone, more than 60 new species have been described, accounting for approximately 85% of the genus's known diversity. Vietnam has emerged as a central hotspot for these discoveries, with at least 12 distinct congeners now identified within the country's borders, reflecting a previously underestimated wealth of reptilian life in the region.

Honoring a Legacy in Southeast Asian Herpetology

One of the two newly identified species, Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri, has been named as a tribute to Professor Dr. Thomas Ziegler of the Cologne Zoo and the University of Cologne. Dr. Ziegler is a prominent figure in international conservation biology, having dedicated over three decades to the study of lizards, snakes, and other vertebrates across Southeast Asia. His work has been instrumental in describing seven different gecko species in Vietnam and establishing both in-situ and ex-situ measures to protect some of the most endangered reptiles and amphibians in the world. The naming reflects his profound impact on the scientific community’s understanding of Vietnam’s unique herpetofauna.

Unique Habitat Constraints of the Son La Province

The discovery of Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri took place within the Copia Nature Reserve, a protected area in northwestern Vietnam established in 2002. Currently, the species is known to exist only within this specific reserve, occupying a highly restricted range estimated at less than 50 square kilometers. A second species, Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis, was also reported from the same province, further emphasizing the localized nature of these reptiles. These geckos are specialized inhabitants of karst ecosystems—limestone landscapes characterized by caves and rocky outcrops—which facilitate the evolution of distinct, isolated species.