CoP17 Prop. 29

Inclusion of Psychedelic Rock Gecko Cnemaspis psychedelica in Appendix I
Proponents: Viet Nam and European Union
Summary: The Psychedelic Rock Gecko Cnemaspis psychedelica is moderate-sized gecko mostly active
during the day. It is known from the island of Hon Khoai off the southern tip of Viet Nam, which has a total
area of 8km2, and has recently been reported as occurring on the smaller island of Hon Sao nearby to thesoutheast; its presence on other smaller neighbouring islands is unconfirmed. On Hon Khoai it is found ongranite boulder outcrops in the shade of the surrounding dense vegetation. It has much brighter colouration
than other species of Cnemaspis (of which there around 75), with both sexes having orange forelimbs and ablue-grey body. Females are reported to lay a single clutch of two eggs once a year, incubated in communal
clutches on the underside of overhanging boulders.
The species has been described as very common and abundant in suitable habitat. It is unclear how muchsuitable habitat there is, although given the small size of the island it is unlikely to be extensive. A populationassessment carried out on Hon Khoai in November 2015 and January 2016 estimated the total population to
be up to 732 individuals, with an effective mature population of 507.
The island of Hon Khoai is an outpost of the Ca Mau border guard and therefore public access to the island
should be prohibited, however several tourist websites offer trips to visit the island. A fishing port is underconstruction on the island, which will impact suitable habitat and increase the number of people living on theisland. In addition, introduced Long-tail Macaques Macaca fascicularis have been observed eating the gecko
and its eggs.
Cnemaspis psychedelica was first described in 2010, and live individuals have been offered for sale for thepet trade since 2013. The largest market appears to be in the EU and the Russian Federation but it is also
advertised on the internet in the USA. The species commands a high price, likely because of its boldcolouration and rarity on the market. Online it is generally advertised in breeding pairs, with suggestions that
this species is easy for hobbyists to breed1. The species is reportedly easy to collect in the wild 2.
Currently there are no protection measures in place for this species or its habitat, although trapping andexportation of forest animals is only allowed by permit. A captive breeding programme has been started
which has recently reported successful reproduction.
Analysis: Cnemaspis psychedelica has a very restricted area of distribution, occurring in only one or two
known locations. It has a low reproductive rate. Indications are that it also has a very small wild population
which may be vulnerable to extrinsic factors including predation by introduced species and collection forexport. It would appear therefore to meet the biological criteria for inclusion in Appendix I. The species is or
may be affected by trade.
Reviewers: L. Grismer and S. Altherr.
References:
Information not referenced in the Summary section is from the Supporting Statement.
1 Anon. (2016) For Sale 1.1 Cnemaspis Psychedelica. Available at: http://forums.teetk.com/threads/for-sale-1-1-cnemaspis-psychedelica.241938/. Viewed on 23rd June 2016.
2 Nguyen, T.Q., Ngo, H.N., Nguyen, T. V., van Schingen, M. and Ziegler, T. (2015) Population assessment, naturalhistory and threat evaluation of the Psychedelic Rock Gecko (Cnemaspis psychedelica). Part II: Preliminary data on
population status, natural history and threats; December 2015. Unpublished report for the Federal Ministry for theEnvironment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Division Species Protection, Bonn, Germany and for theSpecies Programme, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK, 1–6.

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