Sleeping creature with ‘dagger-like spines’ found in Vietnam. It’s a new species
As darkness settled over a forest of southern Vietnam, a “long”-limbed creature with “dagger-like spines” climbed into a shrub and fell asleep. But the night wouldn’t be restful.
Passing scientists found the snoozing creature — and discovered a new species.
Researchers hiked into the mountains of Khanh Hoa Province and Phu Yen Province several times between 2022 and 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Feb. 5 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy.
During their visits, the team found a dozen unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the “distinct” reptiles and quickly realized they’d discovered a new species: Acanthosaura cuongi, or Cuong’s horned tree lizard.
Cuong’s horned tree lizards are considered “moderately-sized,” reaching over 8 inches in length, the study said. They have “slightly robust” bodies with “relatively long” limbs. Their “triangular” heads have yellowish eyes and a “blueish gray” tongue. A row of “dagger-like spines” runs down their backs.
The new species varies in color, ranging from green to “orange-yellow” and brown to “purplish gray” but usually has brown blotches and a “black eye patch,” researchers said and photos show. Overall, the lizards appear to blend in with their surroundings.
Cuong’s horned tree lizards live in forests at the base of a mountain range, the study said. They were found at night “clinging to, and sleeping in shrubs, thin trunks of small trees, beneath dense forest canopy.” Photos show a few of these perches.
Researchers said they named the new species after Cuong The Pham, a Vietnamese researcher focused on amphibians and reptiles, “in recognition of his support” for their work and “his great contributions to herpetological research in Vietnam.”
So far, Cuong’s horned tree lizards have been found at two sites in neighboring districts of Khanh Hoa Province and Phu Yen Province along the country’s southeastern coast, the study said. Researchers did not provide the exact locations “to avoid abuse.”
The new species was identified by its body shape and size, coloring, spines, scale arrangement and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 11% genetic divergence from other related species.
The research team included Hai Ngoc Ngo, Linh Tu Hoang Le, Tao Thien Nguyen, Tuan Minh Nguyen, Ngan Thi Nguyen, Tien Quang Phan, Truong Quang Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler and Dang Trong Do.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Sleeping creature with ‘dagger-like spines’ found in Vietnam. It’s a new species."
