A team of Russian and Vietnamese scientists has discovered a new species of lizard with a unique appearance in Nui Chua National Park located in Ninh Thuan Province.
Under this decaying log lies the “home” of the new lizard species – (Photo: NIKOLAY POYARKOV)
According to a study published on December 1 in the scientific journal Zootaxa, scientists have discovered a completely blind new lizard species without legs living in Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan Province.
The new lizard species has been named after its discovery location: “Ninh Thuan blind skink” (Thằn lằn mù Ninh Thuận or Ninh Thuan worm lizard). It resembles an earthworm and is approximately 11 cm in length.
The eyes of this lizard species are described as “very rudimentary” and “completely covered by scales.” It has no forelimbs or hind limbs, while the hind limb of males is nearly degenerated and developed into a “wing-like shape” (similar to an airplane wing) located near the tail.
Ninh Thuan blind skink – (Photo: NIKOLAY POYARKOV).
The Ninh Thuan blind skink is brownish-pink, lighter towards the head and darker at the tail. Its body is covered with a glossy, smooth layer of scales.
The research team reported that they surveyed this area from September 2022 to March 2023. To find the Ninh Thuan blind skink, they followed the traces of golden-bellied termites, which are the favorite food of this species.
The Ninh Thuan blind skink was found under decaying logs. When captured, they will “raise the scales on their bodies” to make “the outside appear wrinkled.” This defense mechanism is thought to mimic the behavior of certain caterpillar species that have a spiky appearance, causing predators like birds to overlook them.
Scales on the head of the Ninh Thuan blind skink – (Photo: NIKOLAY POYARKOV).
Scientists state that the scientific name of the new species is Dibamus tropcentr, which directly relates to the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center (VRTC). This agency has dedicated more than 35 years to studying the ecology and biodiversity of Vietnam.
Additionally, the scientists mentioned that identifying the Ninh Thuan blind skink as a new species was based on its scale patterns, body ratios, and other intricate physical characteristics. However, the study did not provide DNA analysis for this species due to a lack of genetic data from other blind lizard species.
The Ninh Thuan blind skink has been found at two different locations in Nui Chua National Park.
