Will they hold on? Three new gecko species found in threatened habitat

Malaysia is set to lose ancient limestone formations to quarrying despite the discovery of new species of geckos in the area. 

The species are described by Dr. L. Lee Grismer from California’s La Sierra University in three studies recently published in the journal Zootaxa. One of Grismer’s discoveries,Cyrtodactylus metropolis, is the first endemic vertebrate species discovered in the Batu Caves area. 

Batu Caves, located only 10 miles from downtown Kuala Lumpur, is a series of caves and a Hindu temple that attracts thousands of visitors every day. 

“Up until about 1970, much of the native limestone forest surrounding Batu Caves was intact, but the adjacent habitat has since been replaced by housing, industrial estates, and shops, essentially making Batu Caves an island in a sea of urbanization,” Grismer said.read more