New species discovered in Cambodia’s rare rocky ecosystems

Scientists have discovered at least 11 new species in the caves and rocky outcroppings of northern Cambodia’s Battambang and Stung Treng provinces. The findings were compiled into a new biodiversity report.

Seven new species have already been formally described and another four are in the process. To map the biodiversity in the nation’s karst ecosystems, dramatic landscapes of caves and large protruding rocks on both land and water that create isolated habitats, researchers surveyed 64 caves and 10 hills over the last three years.

“The survey uncovered a treasure trove of extraordinary creatures,” wrote Fauna & Flora, the conservation nonprofit behind the report. “Surrounded by a sea of inhospitable, human-made landscapes, many of these creatures are, in effect, trapped. Over time, they have continued to evolve in complete isolation.”

Among the new species is a turquoise-colored pit viper (Trimeresurus sp. nov.) which is still being formally described after it was spotted in Phnom Prampi, a protected natural heritage site, in July 2025.

A terrestrial micro snail (Clostophis udayaditinus) is a new species smaller than 2 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide and is the first of its genus recorded in Cambodia. And a dark orange millipede discovered in a cave was just one of three new species in its genus.

“Each one of these isolated karst areas act as their own little laboratory,” Lee Grismer, a biology professor at La Sierra University, U.S., said in a statement. “The results are species that exist nowhere else — not just nowhere else in the world, or that country — but in no other cave.”

Researchers also detected the presence of several animals threatened with extinction living in the region. For example, the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), a critically endangered species, was spotted twice via camera traps.

The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and green peafowl (Pavo muticus), both endangered, were also spotted multiple times.

Karst habitats are largely unprotected, with only 1% of these ecosystems under any kind of protection worldwide. Limestone quarrying, for example, has ground down huge areas of karst hills to feed the region’s cement industry.

Wildlife camera traps also documented a small forest fire set by humans, as well as an image of a poacher with a gun. The biodiversity survey’s findings, documenting a richness of species in the area, may help bolster efforts to protect some karst hills as natural heritage sites. 

“Biologically significant species could go extinct before they have even been discovered,” Sothearen Thi, the karst biodiversity coordinator at Fauna & Flora, said in a statement. “We are working with the Cambodian government and local partners to increase protection of the landscapes.”

Banner image: A new species of pit viper was discovered and is still in the process of being described. Image courtesy of Fauna & Flora.