Identification:
This rock-dwelling gecko species is small and similar to Gekko grossmanni. However, it possesses red eyes and a larger body size. The maximum recorded snout-vent length is 108.5 mm. The dorsal coloration is yellowish-brown, interspersed with dark brown spots on the head and back. A series of five to seven white spots runs along the spine from the nape to the base of the tail. Along the flanks, there are six to seven pairs of short, pale white stripes located between the fore- and hind limbs. Males have 14-18 precloacal pores. The tail is marked with alternating dark brown and pale brown bands.
Biology and Ecology:
This gecko inhabits rock crevices and large boulders within the dry, coastal forest areas of central Vietnam. During the day, it shelters from the sun in deep crevices and under dense vegetation, including shrubs and climbing plants. At night, it emerges to forage when the rocks have cooled. Its diet consists of insects found in the local environment. The species lays two eggs at the beginning of the rainy season each year, depositing them in rock crevices. Multiple individuals often lay their eggs in the same location, forming large egg masses that can contain hundreds of eggs.
Distribution:
This gecko species was newly discovered in 2011 and named after the sampling location, the Cà Ná sea area of Bình Thuận province. The discovery was published in the international animal taxonomy journal Zootaxa 2890 at the end of May 2011.