Cyrtodactylus auralensis, also known as the Phnom Aural bent-toed gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to Cambodia. It was first described in 2019 as part of a study identifying new species within the Cyrtodactylus intermedius complex. This species is endemic to Cambodia and is known only from Phnom Aural, the highest mountain in the country.
Anatomy The coloration is described based on a specimen in alcohol having a light brown color on the dorsal head, body, and tail, with dark-brown blotches on dorsum of the head and at least six dark-brown lateral bands bordered by thin, light, lines evenly spaced between the neck and base of the tail.
Etymology The specific epithet, auralensis, is a reference to the type locality of Phnom Aural mountain, the highest mountain in Cambodia, to which it presumably endemic.
Habitat C. auralensis was far more abundant in hill evergreen forests at elevations between 500–600 m than at elevations above 1100 m in the cooler, damper cloud forests.
References