Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report
Calotes emma. North (Bour 1997, Stuart 1998d (Plate 9),
centre (photographed in Dong Phou Vieng NBCA by TC in
1997), in limestone region (Stuart 1998a, 1998b), Nakai Plateau
(Stuart 1998b), Annamite foothills (FMNH specimen)
and Annamite mountains (FMNH specimen), south (FMNH
specimen). Found in most forest types, sometimes in open or
disturbed areas near human habitation. 100-720 m.
Calotes mystaceus. North (FMNH specimen, UMMZ specimen),
centre (photographed in Dong Phou Vieng NBCA by
TC in 1997), south in Annamite mountains (Xe Sap NBCA
by TC). Evergreen forest.
Calotes versicolor. North (USNM specimen) and in vicinity
of Vientiane (AMNH specimen, USNM specimen), centre
in limestone region (Stuart 1998a, 1998b), Annamite foothills
(FMNH specimen) and Annamite mountains (BLS),
south (Stuart 1998e). On low vegetation in open forest or
disturbed areas near human habitation. 60-600 m.
Draco maculatus. North (FMNH specimen, UMMZ specimen),
centre in limestone region (Stuart 1998a), south (TNSM
specimen). Dry evergreen mixed with deciduous forest. 200
m. Several individuals of a different species of Draco were
seen in Dong Khanthung PNBCA in July 1998, but escaped
capture and proper identification (as Draco sp. in Stuart
1998e).
Leiolepis belliana. North (UMMZ specimen), south (TNSM
specimen). Habitat not reported, but probably open forest at
lower elevations in Mekong floodplain.
Leiolepis rubritaeniata. South (as L. belliana in Stuart
1998e). Grassland with dry dipterocarp forest. 100 m.
• Physignathus cocincinus Water Dragon. Conservation
Significance: Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR. Documented
Range and Habitat: Centre (photographed in Dong Phou
Vieng NBCA by TC in 1997, Ban Lak (20) market record in
Tobias 1997), in limestone region (Stuart 1998a), Nakai Plateau
(Stuart 1998b) and Annamite mountains (FMNH specimen),
south (Stuart 1998e, photographed in Xe Pian NBCA
by TC in 1997), probably throughout. In vegetation above
streams in evergreen forest. 60-700 m. Status Information:
Adults and eggs are extensively harvested for food (Stuart
1998b, 1998e).
Pseudocalotes microlepis. North (FMNH specimen), south
in Annamite mountains (TNSM specimen). Wet evergreen
forest. 1000 m.
Ptyctolaemus phuwuanensis. North (as “unknown agamid”
in Stuart 1998d). In rock crevices and boulder piles in evergreen
forest. 300 m.
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Anguidae: Legless lizards (at least 1 species)
Ophisaurus sp. Centre in Annamite foothills (photographed
in Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA by S. Vannalath), south
(Boonratana 1998a, photographed in Dong Hua Sao NBCA
by TDE in 1993). Taxonomic Issues: The specific name could
not be determined from the photographs or the field encounter.
Specimens are needed for formal identification.
Varanidae: Monitors (2 species)
• Varanus bengalensis Bengal Monitor. Conservation Significance:
Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix
I. Documented Range and Habitat: North, centre in Nakai
Plateau, south (see below). Open forest such as dipterocarp
or coniferous forest with grassland. Status Information: North:
unspecified (Bour 1997, Boonratana 1997). Centre: field
record (Dong Phou Vieng NBCA by TC); market record
(Thakhek Km. 3 market record in April 1998, Ban Lak (20)
market record in Tobias 1997, photographed in Ban Lak (20)
market by RJTiz in 1998); village record (photographed in
Dong Phou Vieng NBCA by TC in 1997), and Nakai Plateau,
field record (at 570 m in Stuart 1998b; Plate 9). South:
field record (WCS 1995a, Evans et al. 1996a, Davidson et
al. 1997); village record (Stuart 1998e); market record (Attapu
market in January 1997 by D. Davenport). Hunted for food
(Baird 1993, Stuart 1998c, 1998e) and sale to Lao traders
(Baird 1993, Stuart 1998b, 1998e, 1998d), Vietnamese traders
(BLS) and Thai traders (Baird 1993). A single village in
Dong Khanthung PNBCA estimated an annual harvest of 100
individuals for consumption and sale to Lao army soldiers
and Lao traders (Stuart 1998e). Reported to be locally extirpated
in recent years in one area of Phou Louey NBCA (Stuart
1998c). Taxonomic Issues: Sometimes referred to as V. b.
nebulosus or V. nebulosus (TC).
• Varanus salvator Water Monitor. Conservation Significance:
Potentially At Risk in Lao PDR; CITES Appendix II.
Documented Range and Habitat: North, centre in Annamite
mountains, south (see below). Along large streams and rivers
in evergreen forest. Status Information: North: unspecified
(Boonratana 1997). Centre: field record (Dong Phou
Vieng NBCA by TC), and in Annamite mountains, Vietnamese
trader possession record (Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA by
BLS); village record (photographed in Ban Lak (20) market
by RJTiz in 1998). South: field record (Davidson et al. 1997);
village record (at 60 m in Stuart 1998e (Plate 9), Nam Ghong
Provincial Protected Area in Attapu Province by RJTiz in
1998); market record (Stuart 1998e); unspecified (Boonratana
1998a). Hunted for food (Baird 1993, Stuart 1998c, 1998e)
and sale to Lao traders (Baird 1993, Stuart 1998d, 1998e)
and Thai traders (Baird 1993).