Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have identified a new species of gecko residing in the Crocker Range, specifically at Gunung Alab in the Tambunan district of Sabah. The discovery adds to the growing catalog of Borneo’s unique herpetofauna and highlights the region’s rich biodiversity.

The species, named Lepidodactylus crockerensis and commonly referred to as the Crocker Range Mourning Gecko, was confirmed following comprehensive genetic and morphological analyses. The research was led by Assoc Prof Dr Evan SH Quah from UMS’s Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, in collaboration with Aderina Dukit of Monash University, Fred YY Tuh from Sabah Parks, and L. Lee Grismer of La Sierra University. Their findings were published on September 22 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa.

The holotype—the specimen used to formally describe the species—was collected by Dr. Quah at 1,909 meters above sea level within the old Rhododendron Hut on August 23, 2025. The type series also includes two additional male specimens. The geckos were observed during nocturnal surveys in cool, misty conditions, with temperatures ranging between 14°C and 16°C. These small lizards were found on the walls and roof eaves of buildings at the site, likely preying on insects attracted by artificial lighting.

Although visually similar to Lepidodactylus ranauensis, a related species endemic to Mount Kinabalu roughly 36 kilometers away, genetic evidence revealed that L. crockerensis stands as a distinct evolutionary lineage. The two species exhibit statistically significant differences in physical characteristics, including scalation, supporting their classification as separate species. The researchers noted the absence of suitable lowland habitats between the two mountainous ranges, which likely contributed to their genetic separation. Lepidodactylus crockerensis represents the third species of its genus recorded in Borneo.

Dr. Quah emphasized that the discovery underscores the ongoing need to explore and document Borneo’s reptile and amphibian diversity, even in regions considered relatively well studied. He highlighted the responsibility to enhance knowledge of these species and to protect the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.

UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor expressed that the finding of a small, previously unrecorded gecko in Sabah’s highlands serves as a reminder that Borneo continues to yield scientific discoveries that broaden understanding of its natural heritage.