C1336 字2:45新聞報導英國腔發布於 2026年3月23日 · 更新於 2026年3月25日

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Three New Gecko Species Discovered in Cambodia's Limestone Caves Reveal Hidden Biodiversity

在柬埔寨石灰岩洞穴中發現的三個壁虎新物種揭示了隱藏的生物多樣性

A team of researchers has announced the discovery of three previously unknown gecko species inhabiting remote limestone caves in Cambodia.

一組研究團隊宣布，在柬埔寨偏遠的石灰岩洞穴中發現了三種先前未知的壁虎物種。

The findings, published this month, underscore how cave habitats remain among the least explored ecosystems on Earth.

本月發表的這些研究結果，強調了洞穴棲息地仍是地球上探索最少的生態系統之一。

Scientists emphasized that these isolated karst environments may harbour far more undiscovered biodiversity than previously assumed.

科學家強調，這些孤立的喀斯特環境可能蘊藏著比先前假設更多的未被發現的生物多樣性。

The research was led by a conservation biologist who spent seven years directing projects with Fauna and Flora in Cambodia.

這項研究是由一位保育生物學家領導的，他曾在柬埔寨花了七年時間指導「野生動植物保護國際」的項目。

Having grown up exploring the mountains of northern Spain, he described the transition to Southeast Asian cave systems as both thrilling and humbling.

由於在西班牙北部的山脈探索中長大，他形容轉向東南亞洞穴系統的過程既令人興奮又讓人感到謙卑。

He cautioned that the subterranean world is not for the faint-hearted, given its oppressive darkness and overwhelming stench of guano.

他警告說，考慮到地底世界壓抑的黑暗和令人難以忍受的蝙蝠糞便臭味，那裡並不適合膽小的人。

Inside these caves, an entire ecosystem thrives on what most people would consider repulsive.

在這些洞穴內部，整個生態系統仰賴大多數人認為令人厭惡的東西茁壯成長。

The food chain feeds off guano, dead bats, and any animal carcasses that accumulate on the cave floor.

食物鏈仰賴蝙蝠糞便、蝙蝠屍體以及任何堆積在洞穴地面上的動物殘骸來維持。

#10

Walls teem with creatures such as tailless whip scorpions, millipedes, and centipedes, each uniquely adapted to perpetual darkness.

牆上到處都是無尾鞭蠍、馬陸和蜈蚣等生物，每一種都獨特地適應了永久的黑暗。

#11

Were it not for the dripping of water through porous rock, the silence inside would be almost absolute.

若非水滴穿過多孔岩石的滴答聲，洞穴內部的寂靜幾乎會是絕對的。

#12

What makes these species discoveries particularly significant is the geological nature of karst landscapes.

使這些物種發現顯得格外重要的，是喀斯特地形的地理特性。

#13

Limestone rock, eroded over millennia by water, creates isolated hills and cave systems that function as evolutionary laboratories.

石灰岩經過數千年的水流侵蝕，形成了孤立的山丘和洞穴系統，其功能猶如演化的實驗室。

#14

Because each cave habitat is effectively cut off from neighbouring formations, species develop along distinct evolutionary trajectories.

由於每個洞穴棲息地實際上都與鄰近的地層隔絕，物種會沿著獨特的演化軌跡發展。

#15

This geographical isolation explains why researchers continue to encounter organisms found nowhere else on the planet.

這種地理上的孤立解釋了為什麼研究人員不斷遇到在地球上其他地方都找不到的生物。

#16

Conservation experts have argued that these findings should prompt governments to strengthen protections for karst regions across Southeast Asia.

保育專家主張，這些發現應促使各國政府加強對整個東南亞喀斯特（石灰岩）地區的保護。

#17

Not only do limestone caves support remarkable biodiversity, but they also serve as critical indicators of broader environmental health.

石灰岩洞穴不僅支持著卓越的生物多樣性，它們還充當了更廣泛環境健康的關鍵指標。

#18

Should these fragile habitats face destruction from quarrying or deforestation, entire species could vanish before science has even documented their existence.

倘若這些脆弱的棲息地因採礦或森林砍伐而遭到破壞，整個物種可能會在科學界尚未記錄其存在之前就已消失。

#19

The discovery of three gecko species, researchers insist, likely represents merely the tip of the iceberg.

研究人員堅持認為，這三種壁虎物種的發現可能僅僅是冰山一角。

片語表 (10 個片語)

片語包含類型標示、雙語定義、用法說明和例句。

not for the faint-hearted

idiom

Not suitable for people who are easily frightened or shocked.

膽小者不宜

解釋： 用來形容某種活動、環境或任務非常艱巨、恐怖或具有挑戰性，只有勇敢或堅強的人才能應付。

範例： The steep mountain climb is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

tip of the iceberg

idiom

A small, visible part of a much larger situation or problem that remains hidden.

冰山一角

解釋： 比喻顯露出來的部分只是整體中極小的一部分，暗示還有更多未被發現或解決的問題。

範例： The reported cases of corruption are likely just the tip of the iceberg.

feed off

phrasal verb

To use something as a source of energy or fuel; to be strengthened by something.

以...為食；靠...維生

解釋： 字面上指生物攝取養分，抽象上也可以指某種情緒或情況因另一件事而增強。

範例： The food chain in the cave feeds off guano and organic debris.

cut off from

phrasal verb

To be isolated or separated from someone or something.

與...隔絕

解釋： 指物理上的隔離或社交上的斷絕聯繫，使其無法與外界接觸。

範例： The village was completely cut off from the outside world by the heavy snow.

environmental health

collocation

The state of the natural environment and its ability to support life.

環境健康狀況

解釋： 這是一個專業術語，指生態系統的健全程度，通常用來評估污染或開發對自然的影響。

範例： The presence of certain amphibians is a key indicator of environmental health.

harbour

technical term

To contain or provide a habitat for organisms, often used in the context of biodiversity or pathogens.

蘊藏、含有、庇護

解釋： 在日常生活中，'harbour' 通常指「港口」或「窩藏（罪犯）」。在科學語境下，它指某個環境或地區「蘊藏」或「提供棲息地」給特定的生物物種。

範例： These isolated karst environments may harbour far more undiscovered biodiversity.

nature

technical term

The inherent characteristics or properties of something.

性質、特性

解釋： 一般人想到 'nature' 會先想到「大自然」。但在學術討論中，它常指事物的「本質」或「地理/物理特性」。

範例： What makes these species discoveries particularly significant is the geological nature of karst landscapes.

formations

technical term

A body of rock that is identifiable by its lithologic characteristics and stratigraphic position.

地層、岩層結構

解釋： 日常用法中 'formation' 指「形成」或「隊形」。在地理學中，它是一個專有名詞，指具有一致特徵的「岩石地層單位」。

範例： Because each cave habitat is effectively cut off from neighbouring formations...

trajectories

technical term

The path of development or evolution followed by a species or system over time.

（演化）軌跡、路徑

解釋： 在物理學中，'trajectory' 指物體（如飛彈）的「彈道」或「飛行軌跡」。在生物學中，它被借用來描述物種隨時間演變的「演化路徑」。

範例： Species develop along distinct evolutionary trajectories.

indicators

technical term

Organisms or physical factors used to gauge the health or state of an ecosystem.

指標（物種）

解釋： 一般指「指示燈」或「指標」。在環境科學中，'indicator species'（指標物種）是指那些對環境變化敏感，能反映整個生態系統健康狀況的生物。

範例： They also serve as critical indicators of broader environmental health.

I Discovered Three New Geckos in Cambodia's Limestone Caves – and That's Not All We Found洞穴壁虎：新聞英語

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