The discovery of these two new lizard species provides further evidence of Vietnam’s exceptional biodiversity, particularly in the Sop Cop Nature Reserve in Son La province, and the south-central coastal region. This also highlights Vietnam’s critical role as a global biodiversity hotspot for reptiles and amphibians in the Indochinese region.
Hanoi (VNA) 🌠– Scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) and the Institute of Genome Research, both under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, have discovered two new lizard species in Vietnam.
The first species, Scincella truongi Pham, was named after Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong, Deputy Director of IEBR for his contributions to reptile and amphibian research and conservation in the Indochinese region.
This species was discovered in Sop Cop Nature Reserve in northern Son La province, which is home to 99 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 15 species listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book and 10 in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It has morphological and genetic characteristics different from the remaining species in the genus and closely related to the red-tailed ground skink (Scincella rufocaudata) but differs in the number of nape scales, dorsal and body scale rows.
The second newly discovered species, Acanthosaura cuongi Ngo, was named after Dr. Pham The Cuong, a member of the Scientific Council of IEBR, in recognition of his contributions to reptile and amphibian research and conservation in Vietnam.
An Acanthosaura cuongi Ngo lizard. (Photo: VNA)
This species was detected in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces in the south-central region of Vietnam. It differs from its congeners and closely related to Acanthosaura coronata, which is found in the Central Highlands and Southeastern Vietnam, but has a larger body size.
The discovery was published in the journal Zookeys and European Journal of Taxonomy.
Cuong noted that initial findings suggest that the distribution areas of these species are completely non-overlapping. However, further research is needed to determine their exact habitat ranges.
The discovery of these two new lizard species provides further evidence of Vietnam’s exceptional biodiversity, particularly in the Sop Cop Nature Reserve in Son La province, and the south-central coastal region. This also highlights Vietnam’s critical role as a global biodiversity hotspot for reptiles and amphibians in the Indochinese region, he said./.
Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new snail species in Son Doong Cave within the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, and named it “Oc non Son Doong” (Son Doong cone snail).
A new bee species was discovered in the Vu Quang National Park in the central province of Ha Tinh, announced the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the park on October 2.
Floodwater levels in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are high and will continue to rise this month, especially in upstream areas, according to the hydraulic works management and construction department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Conservation efforts to restore habitat and boost the population of red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park are finally showing progress, with the cranes and many other rare wild birds coming back to the park.
Torrential rains from the night of July 31 to early August 1 triggered flash floods and landslides across several communes in Dien Bien province, leaving at least two people dead and eight others missing.
Transitioning to a circular economy not only offers a sustainable development path for Ho Chi Minh City but also serves as a pivotal step toward establishing a fully green economy.
An exhibition featuring 100 green, recycled, and circular economy models and products from 50 businesses and educational establishments took place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 31, as part of the local green transition forum and recycle day 2025.
Regional solidarity and cooperation are the key factor for the effective implementation of wildlife protection regulations. Only through sustainable cooperation, innovative approaches, and collective action can biodiversity be safeguarded for the present and future generations, an Vietnamese official has said.
Hanoi has approved a comprehensive plan to restore the environmental quality and develop four major urban rivers – the To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set reverine environments.
The Javan pangolin is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book as critically endangered and is protected under Group IB – a category reserved for forest species facing an extremely high risk of extinction and requiring strict conservation measures.
As a key member of the core group of 18 countries, initiated by Vanuatu, Vietnam engaged in advocating for the UN General Assembly’s Resolution N.77/276, requesting for the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Following the resolution's adoption, Vietnam fully participated in all procedural steps for the first time, from submitting written proposals to presenting directly at the court’s hearings.
The wild elephant population in Da Nang includes a full developed herb of mature males, females, and calves. To date, the herd has grown to nine individuals.
Conservation efforts here have become a model, helping to save millions of turtle hatchlings and promoting Con Dao as a member of the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asia Turtle Site Network.
As part of its drive to fulfil its net zero emissions commitment by 2050, Vietnam is fast-tracking the development of a legal corridor to launch a pilot carbon market by the end of 2025, according to the Department of Climate Change.
Under the plan, from 2025 to 2026, the city will complete mechanisms and policies to support businesses in switching to green vehicles, expand the electric and green-energy bus network, and build charging stations. The targeted proportion of green buses is set at 10% in 2025 and 20–23% in 2026.
Storm Comay, the fourth in the East Sea this year, was at around 16.7 degrees North and 118.3 degrees East, in the east of the East Sea's northern waters as of 4am on July 24.
The disaster risk warning level for flash floods, landslides, and ground subsidence due to heavy rains and flows is rated at level 1, except in Nghe An, where it is raised to level 2.
