The results of herpetological surveys conducted throughout Laos in 2016–2019 resulted in significant 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 first time. The occurrences of Glyphoglossus molossus, Subsessor bocourti, and Siebenrockiella crassicollis in the country were also confirmed. Species with expanded distributions are represented by new records of Nanorana aenea, Ophryophryne pachyproctus, Xenophrys palpebralespinosa, Glyphoglossus guttulatus, Rana johnsi, Gracixalus quyeti, Theloderma petilum, Zhangixalus feae, Gonyosoma prasinum, Hebius leucomystax, Lycodon futsingensis, Bungarus candidus, Pareas hamptoni, and Trimeresurus gumprechti, which are reported for Laos for the second time. Furthermore, new distribution and natural history data are presented on 27 other poorly-known species from several provinces of Laos. These results suggest that the herpetofaunal diversity in Laos is still underestimated and highlight the importance of conducting further field surveys and elaborating the appropriate conservation actions.
Types:
published in 2020, language
