Rapid forest clearing in a Myanmar proposed national park threatens two newly discovered species of geckos (Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus)

PLoS One. 2017 Apr 12;12(4):e0174432. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174432. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Myanmar's recent transition from military rule towards a more democratic government has largely ended decades of political and economic isolation. Although Myanmar remains heavily forested, increased development in recent years has been accompanied by exceptionally high rates of forest loss. In this study, we document the rapid progression of deforestation in and around the proposed Lenya National Park, which includes some of the largest remaining areas of lowland evergreen rainforest in mainland Southeast Asia. The globally unique forests in this area are rich in biodiversity and remain a critical stronghold for many threatened and endangered species, including large charismatic fauna such as tiger and Asian elephant. We also conducted a rapid assessment survey of the herpetofauna of the proposed national park, which resulted in the discovery of two new species of bent-toed geckos, genus Cyrtodactylus. We describe these new species, C. lenya sp. nov. and C. payarhtanensis sp. nov., which were found in association with karst (i.e., limestone) rock formations within mature lowland wet evergreen forest. The two species were discovered less than 35 km apart and are each known from only a single locality. Because of the isolated nature of the karst formations in the proposed Lenya National Park, these geckos likely have geographical ranges restricted to the proposed protected area and are threatened by approaching deforestation. Although lowland evergreen rainforest has vanished from most of continental Southeast Asia, Myanmar can still take decisive action to preserve one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Endangered Species*
  • Female
  • Forests
  • Genetic Variation
  • Lizards / anatomy & histology
  • Lizards / genetics*
  • Male
  • Myanmar
  • Parks, Recreational
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Grants and funding

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Genome Initiative (GGI) provided funding for the molecular lab work. Funding for international travel was provided by an award to Smithsonian Institution from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. In-country expenses for field surveys were made possible through grants to Fauna and Flora International from the European Union, Segre Conservation Foundation, and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. This included salary support for MKT of the Myanmar Environment & Sustainable Conservation Co., LTD (MESC), which is an environmental consulting firm specializing in biodiversity surveys in Myanmar. The funders did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of authors are articulated in the 'author contributions' section. Fauna and Flora International is a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom and had no commercial interest in this study.