As night fell across Cambodia, a "slender" creature with a colorful tail emerged and perched on a rock. Its "large" eyes scanned the landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around.
Passing scientists noticed the scaly animal -- and discovered a new species.
Researchers visited several rock formations in Battambang Province in March 2024 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Jan. 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The sites were largely "unexplored" but were expected to have "unparalleled" biodiversity.
While visiting a rock formation known as Phnom Khpoh, researchers found a small unfamiliar-looking lizard. They took a closer look at it and quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh, or the Khpoh slender gecko.
The Khpoh slender gecko can reach about 2.6 inches in length, the study said. It has "robust" limbs with claws and a "triangular" head with "large" brown eyes.
Photos show the "tan" coloring of the new species and its "orange" tail. Faint brown stripes run along its sides.
Researchers only found one Khpoh slender gecko "despite intensive searching," the study said. The lone female gecko was found at night on a rock "near the base of a karstic cliff-face."
Researchers said they named the new species after Phnom Khpoh where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it has been found. Phnom Khpoh is a rock formation in Battambang Province of western Cambodia and near the border with Thailand.
The new species was identified by its coloring, scale pattern and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 22% genetic divergence from other related geckos.
The research team included L. Lee Grismer, Pablo Sinovas, Evan Quah, Sothearen Thi, Phyroum Chourn, Sophea Chhin, Seiha Hun, Anthony Cobos, Peter Geissler, Christian Ching and Matthew Murdoch.