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New Species of Gecko

The new gecko has been named it in honour of Cambodian scientist Mr. Neang Thy.
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of South East Asian Cnemaspis gecko from the rocky foothills of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains.

The new gecko has been 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.

This week, results of the 2007 herpetology survey show that this species of Cnemaspis gecko was 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.

This species of Cnemaspis gecko discovered by the team is 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 realize 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.


This is the second species of the Cnemaspis genus to be found in Cambodia. It is endemic to the Cardamom Mountains.
“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.

Cnemaspis geckos have a relatively ancient body plan characterized by a broad flattened head, large forward and upward directed eyes, flattened body, long widely splayed limbs, and long inflected digits that help them to climb trees and rock faces and seek refuge within crevices.

Cnemaspis are diurnal species that usually go unnoticed because of their cryptic coloration and habit of foraging on the shaded surfaces of trees and overhanging rock faces. There are currently 75 species of Cnemapsis known to science, of which 30 live in South East Asia and only one other species is present in Cambodia.

Cnemaspis neangthyi has an olive-green color with light colored, paired, paravertebral blotches containing a central black dot. It also has a distinct light green chevron marking on the nape and the head has a distinct black parietal spot and radiating black lines extending from the orbit. The base color of the limbs is the same as the body and stippled with light green and black. The digits have light yellow and black bands.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.