Corresponding author: Vinh Quang Luu (
Academic editor: Johannes Penner
Four species of reptiles, of which one is represented by one of its subspecies, are recorded for the first time from Laos:
The knowledge on the diversity of the reptile fauna of Laos has strikingly increased during the recent decades.
Field surveys were conducted by T. Calame in Xe Sap National Protected Area (NPA), Salavan Province in May 2012 and by V. Q. Luu in Hin Nam No NPA, Khammouane Province from April to July 2013 (Figs
Measurements of specimens were taken with a digital caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm. Abbreviation are as follows: SVL (snout-vent length): from tip of snout to anterior margin of cloaca; TaL (Tail length): from posterior margin of cloaca to tip of tail; TL (total length): SVL+TaL. Terminology of morphological characters follows
(Fig.
Specimens were found between 19:00 and 22:00 on karst walls, ca. 0.5-3 m above the ground, near cave entrances in limestone forests, at elevations from 180 to 580 m a.s.l.
The Laotian specimens differ from the original description of
(Fig.
This species was previously known in Central Vietnam from Quang Tri province southwards to Kon Tum Province (
Specimens were found between 19:40 and 20:10 on a small bush stem ca. 40 cm above the ground, approximately 3 m away from a rocky stream. The surrounding habitat was hill evergreen forest at an elevation of 960 m a.s.l. Within the hill evergreen forest in western Xe Sap NPA the canopy is characterized, in many areas, by the conspicuous presence of emergents of the restricted range conifer
(Fig.
The adult female was collected at ca. 21:30 while moving on the forest floor, near a slow running stream. The surrounding habitat was karst forest at elevation of 581 m a.s.l.
(Fig.
The specimen of
The specimen from Laos differs from the description of
The recent discoveries of
We are grateful to Ass. Prof. Dr. Sengdeuane Wayakone, Ass. Prof. Dr. Houngphet Chanthavong, Ass. Prof. Dr. Khamla Phanvilay, Dr. Bounthob Praxaysombath, Mr. Khanthaly Khamphilavong, Mr. Saly Sitthivong (NUOL, Vientiane), Dr. Thomas Gray (WWF Greater Mekong), Mr. Thanousone Homsaysombath, Mr. Kieusomphone Thanabuaosy, and Mr. Thidtavanh Suliyavong (Khammouane) for supporting our field research in Laos. Export of collected specimens was done due to the export permits Number 103/13 and 105/13 signed by the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR. V.Q. Luu thanks Prof. Dr. Chuong Van Pham, Prof. Dr. Nha The Nguyen, and Ass. Prof. Dr. Doi The Bui (VFU, Hanoi) for supporting his work. Field work in Khammouane Province was funded by The Rufford Foundation for V. Q. Luu. Work in the Xe Sap NPA forms part of the CarBi Project of WWF Greater Mekong and the government of Laos PDR through funds provided by WWF Germany and KfW Bankengruppe. Additional support for T. Calame came from grants to Global Wildlife Conservation from the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund and Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, China. Research of V. Q. Luu in Germany is funded by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam (MOET, Project 911) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Research of T.Q. Nguyen in Germany is funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation (VIE 114344).
Map of survey sites in Khammouane and Salavan provinces, Laos.
Limestone karst forest in Hin Nam No National Protected Area, Khammouane Province and evergreen forest in Xe Sap National Protected Area, Salavan Province, Laos. Photos: V. Q. Luu and T. Calame.
Forest in Hin Nam No NPA
Forest in Xe Sap NPA
Female
Male
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Two sympatric species,