A New Species in the Tylototriton asperrimus Group (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Central Laos
A new species in the morphologically conservative Tylototriton asperrimus group is described from Khammouan Province, Laos. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA confirms its placement in the T. asperrimus group. Tylototriton notialis sp. nov. is diagnosable in mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, and morphology from its congeners. The new species represents the first record of the […]
A new Philautus (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from northern Laos
A new Philautus is described from Phou Dendin National Biodiversity Conservation Area in northern Laos. Philautus petilus sp. nov. is most remarkable by having a very slender, elongate habitus. Other distinguishing characteristics include having a tympanum diameter 80% of the eye diameter, white asperities on the dorsum, and distinctive coloration consisting of a soft yellow-beige […]
Ecology and Natural History of the Knobby Newt Tylototriton podichthys (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Laos
Almost nothing is known on the ecology and natural history of Tylototriton (Knobby Newts) in Laos. Here, a population of the newly described T. podichthys was intensively studied in a 55,800 m2 area in Xiengkhouang Province, Laos, from June 2012–July 2013. Mark-recapture methods estimated 301 individuals of T. podichthys at the study site. Newts were […]
A new Limnonectes (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from southern Laos
A new species of “fanged frog” in the genus Limnonectes resembling L. kohchangae (Smith, 1922) from southeastern Thailand and southwestern Cambodia is described from upper elevations of the Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. However, the new species, L. coffeatus sp. nov., is not resolved to be the closest relative of L. kohchangae, and is further distinguished […]
Predicting Environmental Suitability for a Rare and Threatened Species (Lao Newt, Laotriton laoensis) Using Validated Species Distribution Models
The Lao newt (Laotriton laoensis) is a recently described species currently known only from northern Laos. Little is known about the species, but it is threatened as a result of overharvesting. We integrated field survey results with climate and altitude data to predict the geographic distribution of this species using the niche modeling program MAXENT, […]
A taxonomic revision of the genus Phrynoglossus in Indochina with the description of a new species and comments on the classification within Occidozyginae (Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae)
We revise the frogs of the genus Phrynoglossus from Indochina based on data of external morphology, bioacoustics and molecular genetics. The results of this integrative study provide evidence for the recognition of three distinct species, one of which we describe as new. Phrynoglossus martensii has a vast geographic distribution from central and southern Thailand across […]
Morphological and Molecular Variation in Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Laos, with Description of A New Species
The salamandrid genus Tylototriton is poorly known in Laos, with one described species and unverified reports of two others. We undertook new fieldwork and obtained samples of Tylototriton at six localities across northern Laos during 2009–2013. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA, principal component analyses of 13 mensural characters, and qualitative morphological comparisons with samples […]
New herpetofaunal observations from Laos based on photo records
The results of herpetological surveys conducted throughout Laos in 2016–2019 resulted in signifcant records at the country and provincial levels for several amphibian and reptile species, other than lizards. Three species, namely Quasipaa verrucospinosa, Gracixalus quangi, and Theloderma lateriticum, were recorded for Laos for the frst time. The occurrences of Glyphoglossus molossus, Subsessor bocourti, and […]
A new caruncle-bearing fanged frog (Limnonectes, Dicroglossidae) from Laos and Thailand
A new species of the dicroglossid frog genus Limnonectes is described from recent and historical museum specimens collected in central and southern Laos and northeastern Thailand. Limnonectes savan sp. nov. has males that bear a caruncle on top of the head, and most closely resembles L. dabanus from adjacent southern Vietnam and eastern Cambodia. However, […]
A new cascade frog (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Laos and Vietnam
A new frog species of the family Ranidae is described from 44 specimens from the mountainsof southern Laos and central Vietnam. Rana khalam, new species, is distinguished by having the first fingerlonger than the second; a distinct, round tympanum about one-half the diameter of the eye; a small, roundouter metatarsal tubercle; a ventrolateral band of […]