Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

DAS in 1997 after confiscation from traders by local officials);
Louangphabang market record (Pritchard 1995); unspecified
(Bour 1997), and in vicinity of Vientiane, market
record (Vientiane market record by RJTim and Pritchard
1995, Ban Lak (52) market record by RJTim). Centre: field
record (Nakai Plateau by RJTim); village record (Phou Xang
He NBCA by RJTim); Thakhek Km. 3 market record (February
1998); in limestone region, village record (Stuart
1998b), and Annamite foothills, village record in Nakai-Nam
Theun NBCA (BLS); Ban Lak (20) market record (RJTim).
South: field record (Xe Kong Plains in Xe Pian NBCA by
RJTim, Phou Xiang Thong NBCA by TDE); village record
(Stuart 1998e, Ban Nongping in Xe Pian NBCA by RJTim);
photographed (Khonphapheng Falls in Champasak Province
by I. Baird, Xe Pian NBCA by TC in 1997). Heavily hunted
for food (Stuart 1998b, 1998c, 1998e) and sale to Lao traders
(Pritchard 1995, Stuart 1998b, 1998d, 1998e) and Vietnamese
(BLS) and reportedly Chinese traders (Stuart 1998c),
presumably for the Vietnamese and Chinese consumption
trade. Most common species of softshell turtle in markets.
• Pelochelys cantorii Asian Giant Softshell Turtle. Conservation
Significance: Globally Threatened - Vulnerable; At
Risk in Lao PDR. Documented Range and Habitat: South
(see below). Presumably large streams and rivers at low elevations.
Status Information: South: village record (photographed
in Ban Hangkhon, Champasak Province by I. Baird).
This single record was said to have been caught locally in
the Mekong at 60-70 m. Reported to be hunted for food and
sale to Lao traders (Stuart 1998e). Taxonomic Issues: Formerly
recognised as P. bibroni, however, a neotype designation
now restricts this name to the distinctive population in
southern New Guinea (Webb 1995).
Gekkonidae: Geckos (10 species)
Cosymbotus platyurus. North (FMNH specimen) and in
vicinity of Vientiane (AMNH specimen), centre in Thakhek
(BLS), south in Pakxe (BLS). Human commensal, commonly
seen in houses and other human-made structures. Natural
habitat is probably open forest or forest gaps.
Cyrtodactylus interdigitalis. Centre in Nakai Plateau (as
Cyrtodactylus sp. B in Stuart 1998b) and Annamite mountains
(FMNH specimen). Evergreen forest. 570-720 m.
Cyrtodactylus jarujini. North (as Cyrtodactylus cf. peguensis
in Stuart 1998d), centre in limestone region (as Cyrtodactylus
sp. A in Stuart 1998b). In caves and rock outcroppings in
evergreen forest. 220-300 m.
Gehyra mutilata. North (FMNH specimen) and in vicinity
of Vientiane (AMNH specimen). Human commensal found
on buildings and other human-made structures.
Gekko gecko. North (UMMZ specimen, USNM specimen)
and in vicinity of Vientiane (BLS), centre in limestone
region (Stuart 1998a, 1998b), south (Davidson et al. 1997,
Stuart 1998e, USNM specimen). Human commensal, commonly
seen on houses and other people-made structures.
Naturally occurs in the canopy of most forest types, where it
is more commonly heard calling than seen. Harvested and
dried in the sun after being gutted and flayed on bamboo
crucifixes (J. Foppes verbally 1999); more than 7000 individuals
of this genus (and probably of this species based on
its abundance and frequent contact with people) were reported
to be legally exported from Lao PDR in 1995-1996 (Foppes
and Kethpanh 1997). Heavily traded in markets in Vietnam
(BLS) and China (Zhao and Adler 1993). Seen preserved in
alcoholic beverage in Pakxe in July 1998 (BLS). (Plate 1)
Gekko petricolus. South (TNSM specimen). Rock
outcroppings and human dwellings.
Hemidactylus frenatus. North (Stuart 1998d, FMNH specimen,
USNM specimen) and in vicinity of Vientiane (FMNH
specimen), centre (FMNH specimen), south (FMNH specimen).
Human commensal, commonly seen on houses and
other people-made structures. One natural habitat record of
a specimen on a rocky river bank in disturbed evergreen forest
at 300 m (Stuart 1998d).
Hemidactylus garnotii. North (FMNH specimen, UMMZ
specimen), south (TNSM specimen). Human commensal,
found in houses and other people-made structures.
Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis. North (FMNH specimen).
Habitat not reported.
Phyllodactylus siamensis. North (Stuart 1998d), south (Stuart
1998e). Open forest such as gaps in evergreen forest and
dipterocarp forest with grassland. 100-300 m.
Agamidae: Agamas (12 species)
Amphibians and Reptiles
Acanthosaura capra. South in Annamite mountains (TNSM
specimen). On tree trunks in wet evergreen forest. 1400 m.
Acanthosaura crucigera. North (Bour 1997, FMNH specimen).
Habitat not reported.
Acanthosaura lepidogaster. North (Stuart 1998c, 1998d,
FMNH specimen), centre in Nakai Plateau (Stuart 1998b),
Annamite foothills (Stuart 1998a), and Annamite mountains
(FMNH specimen), south (TNSM specimen). On ground and
low vegetation in evergreen and evergreen mixed with deciduous
forest. 240-1200 m.
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