A flattened Zug Hemiphyllodactylus zugi lizard. Photo: Nguyen Quang Truong

The article published in this new lizard species in the journal of Zootaxa, New Zealand (No. 3736, November 2013). New flattened species of lizard named Zug Hemiphyllodactylus zugi Nguyen, Lehmann, Le, Duong, Bonkowski & Ziegler, 2013; was named after an American researcher, Professor George Zug of the Smithsonian Research Institute,  has made ​​significant contributions in the study of reptiles in Asia.

Identifying characteristics of flattened species of Zug lizard, as follows: Flattened body, very small size (length of head and body is about 41-47 mm), short and flat tail, the first finger of the forelimbs and hind limbs are not clawed; males have 18-21 holes in the anal and thigh; their face  and body are gray yellow with brown black motifs forming a network in the neck or the horizontal bar at the base of the tail and body, have a brightly colored strip running from behind the eye to the shoulder, upper and lower edges by striped dark gray piece; along with flanks with much larger mottles, bright colors, arranged vertically adjacent formed between forelimbs and hind limbs; the base of the tail has light streaks U-shaped or V-shaped, light yellow belly side.

New lizard species lives in the forested and mountainous limestone region of Ha Lang district, Cao Bang province at an altitude of 450-600 m compared to sea level. Besides species Gekko gecko ad Saul adleri recently announced in May, this is the second new lizard species discovered in Cao Bang province in 2013.