Six new species and eight new records of Gesneriaceae from Laos

Six new species of Gesneriaceae from Laos, namely Didymocarpus angustiflorus Souvann. & Lanors., D. bolavenensis Souvann., Soulad. & Phonep., D. laoticus Souvann. & Lanors., D. trilobus Souvann. & Phonep., Hemiboea olivifolia Souvann. & Tagane and Paraboea planiflora Souvann. & Lanors., are described and illustrated. Additionally, Aeschynanthus bracteatus Wall. ex A.DC., A. micranthus C.B.Clarke, Epithema ceylanicum […]

Case study on orchid exports from the Lao PDR: Recommendations for using the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to increase sustainable orchid trade.

This report is a product of the project “Piloting CITES Implementation in Lao PDR: Strengthening Institutions through Case Studies”. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), this initiative was carried out by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and partners, including the National University of Laos and TRAFFIC, in 2007-2008.The initiative provided […]

Didymocarpus albiflorus (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Vientiane capital, Lao PDR

Didymocarpus albiflorus, a new species from central Lao PDR, is described and illustrated with photographs. The new species is similar to D. middletonii and D. brevipedunculatus, but can be distinguished by a combination of characters (see diagnosis and note). A detailed description, illustration, photographs, distribution, ecology and provisional conservation assessment and key to the species […]

Highly efcient production of 2,3‑butanediol from xylose and glucose by newly isolated thermotolerant Cronobacter sakazakii

Background: 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), a valuable compound used for chemicals, cosmetics, pesticides and pharma‑ ceuticals, has been produced by various microbes. However, no high-temperature fermentation of the compound at high productivity has been reported. Methods: Thermotolerant xylose-utilizing microbes were isolated from 6 diferent districts in Laos and screened for a low accumulation of xylitol in a […]

Croton nagaoi, a new species of Euphorbiaceae from southern Laos

Croton nagaoi (Euphorbiaceae) is described based on a specimen collected from the basin of the Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. It is most similar to Croton thorelii Gagnep. of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam in size and shape of lamina, short petioles less than 1 cm long, and basal glands lateral on the abaxial midrib base, […]

Systematics of the Lao torrent frog, Amolops cremnobatus Inger & Kottelat, 1998 (Anura: Ranidae), with descriptions of four new species

The Lao torrent frog Amolops cremnobatus Inger & Kottelat, 1998 was recently hypothesized, based on mitochondrial DNA, to consist of more than a single species across its range in Laos and flanking regions of Vietnam and Thailand. We tested this hypothesis using mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, and quantitative and qualitative morphological data from adults and […]

Eco-friendly Fertilizers for Sustainable Farming

Ms. Vilaiphone Somsanit has begun producing bio-fertilizer for local farmers, offering an alternative for those interested in creating healthier agricultural options. This initiative allows individuals to enjoy delicious food while ensuring it is safe for consumption. To support this mission, she established I Love Agriculture, a company dedicated to producing bio-fertilizer for sustainable farming. Production, […]

Professor Vichit Lamxay

In 2016 and 2020, Professor Vichit Lamxay was rewarded for his outstanding research by the Faculty of Natural Science of the National University of Laos. He has become a model for many in the field of botany and biodiversity. Professor Vichit Lamxay is a renowned researcher in biodiversity, recognized for his contributions to agroforestry, ecosystem […]