A previously undocumented gecko species has been identified in the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, according to announcements from the Hainan provincial forestry department. Researchers made the discovery during a 2024 field expedition in the reserve's Bawangling area.
The dark green reptile, distinguished by warty dorsal scales, smooth limbs, and webbed toes, measures up to 16 cm in length. Genetic analysis and morphological studies confirmed its status as a distinct species, with findings published in the journal Zootaxa.
'This discovery highlights both Hainan's ecological richness and the effectiveness of China's national park conservation efforts,' said Zhou Runbang, a local forestry official involved in the research. The rainforest park, part of China's 2021 national park network initiative, protects critical habitats across 230,000 square kilometers of designated land.
China’s national park system now safeguards nearly 30% of the country’s key terrestrial wildlife species, creating vital refuges for biodiversity research. The gecko’s discovery coincides with growing international interest in tropical forest ecosystems as climate change mitigation zones.
