Identification:
This sand lizard species is relatively small, with a tail length of 18-22 cm and a body length of 10.5-12 cm.
The skin features nine rows of raised scales, widening across the upper limbs, and 37-40 scales. There is a secondary scale located under the fourth toe. The body coloration consists of earthen-brown patterns. The underside is white, while the dorsal surface displays a reticulated pattern of light brown and white spots, which become smaller towards the tail, alongside yellow stripes along the sides of the body. A white stripe is present immediately behind the eye. The nostrils are positioned closer to the face than the ear opening.
Biology and Ecology:
This species primarily inhabits coastal areas, including those with Melaleuca (tea tree) forests, Casuarina forests, sand dunes, and areas with small shrubs. They construct burrows within the sand dunes for shelter. They are typically diurnal, with peak activity occurring during the early morning and late afternoon, avoiding the midday sun by retreating into their burrows. Their diet consists of insects found in their habitat. Their coloration closely resembles the background of the forest environment, providing camouflage, helping them blend in during the dry season, and aiding in predator avoidance. This species is well-adapted to dry forests with many Dipterocarp trees on sandy coastal soil, or Melaleuca forests in areas with acid sulfate soils.
This species may be a hybrid resulting from the crossbreeding of two closely related sand lizard species. This phenomenon can occur in transitional zones between two ecosystems. The habitat of this new sand lizard species, the Binh Chau – Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, is a prime example, situated between shrubland and coastal sand dunes. Based on this, Grismer suggests that two species adapted to different ecosystems “will mate and reproduce, creating a hybrid form, and these “virgin” lizards reproduce asexually, meaning they can self-fertilize and develop into clonal lines to produce offspring without the need for males.”
Distribution:
The newly discovered species is found in the Binh Chau – Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. It is named after the herpetologist Ngo Van Tri of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.