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Home , Hebius, Hypsiscopus, Oligodon cyclurus, Oreocryptophis, Pseudoxenodon macrops

Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 101-108 (2018) (published online on 27 January 2018)

New records and an updated list of from Yen Bai Province,

Dzung Trung Le1, Anh Ngoc Dao1, Dat Thang Pham1, Thomas Ziegler2,3 and Truong Quang Nguyen4,5,*

Abstract. Based on a new herpetological collection from the Mu Cang Chai and Habitat Conservation Area, Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, we add six new records of snakes for the area, namely Hebius bitaeniatus, H. boulengeri, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Pararhabdophis chapaensis, Pareas hamptoni, and Sinonatrix percarinata. In addition, we provide an updated list of the 25 species of snakes now known from Yen Bai Province.

Keywords: Snakes, morphology, new records, distribution, Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

Introduction Nomascus concolor in Mu Cang Chai Species/Habitat Conservation Area (Yen Bai Province) and adjacent The Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation forests in Muong La District, Son La Province). Most Area (SHCA) is located in the southwestern part of the surprisingly, only eight species were recorded Hoang Lien Son Range, Yen Bai Province, Vietnam. It from this area. We herein add to the knowledge of the was established by Decision No. 513/QĐ-UBND, dated snake fauna in the region and report six additional snake 9 October 2006, of the Yen Bai People’s Committee and species for Yen Bai Province based on a new collection encompasses an area of 20,293 ha (FREC, 2002). The from Mu Cang Chai SHCA. unique fauna of Mu Cang Chai SHCA contributes to the great conservation importance of the whole Hoang Material and Methods Lien mountain range. The first survey of the vertebrate fauna in this protected area was conducted in 1980, Collection.—Field surveys were conducted in Mu Cang recording 34 species of mammals, 48 species of birds, Chai SHCA, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam (Fig. 16 species of , and 17 species of amphibians 1), from 27 April–4 May 2017. Survey transects were (see Le, D.T. and Le, P.M., 2010: ������������������ of������ the  ������������������������������������� entitled 2010 census of Western Black Crested Gibbon

1 Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 2 AG Zoologischer Garten Köln, Riehler Straße 173, D-50735 Köln, Germany 3 Institut für Zoologie, Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Straße 47b, D-50674 Köln, Germany 4 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 5 Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Figure 1. Map showing the geographical location of Mu Cang Road, Hanoi, Vietnam Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area (black circle) in * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. 102 Dzung Trung Le et al. set up along streams, pools, small ponds, or along forest the description of Nguyen (2007) by having fewer paths. Snakes were collected during Visual Encounter subcaudals (63 vs. 71–76). Surveys (Guyer and Donnelly, 2012) using a snake hook Morphology. Characteristics of the specimen include or snake tongs during both day and night. ��������� T�������L  ���������������������� TaL/TL 0.16). were euthanized in a closed vessel with a piece of cotton Head longer than wide (HL 22 mm; HW 11.1 mm; wool containing ethyl acetate (Simmons, 2002), fixed in HL/HW 1.98), slightly distinct from neck; snout obtuse 85% ethanol for 10 hours, and then later transferred to (SnL 7.5 mm; SnL/HL 0.34); nostril lateral; eye small 70% ethanol for permanent storage. Snake specimens (ED 3.1 mm; ED/HL 0.14). Head scalation complete, referred to in this paper have been deposited in the including paired internasals, prefrontals, and parietals, collections of the Museum of Biology, Hanoi National 1/1 supraoculars, and one frontal; rostral wider than University of Education, Hanoi, Vietnam (HNUE), high ; 8/8 supralabials, 4th and 5th in contact with the eye, and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, 7th largest; 9/9 infralabials, 1st–4th bordering chin shields. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, DSR������������������������������������������������ 19� Vietnam (IEBR). row slightly enlarged; ventrals 209; subcaudals 63, all Morphological characters.—Measurements were paired ; cloacal divided. Dorsal surface of head, body taken with dial callipers to the nearest 0.1 mm and with and tail red, with 14 black-edged reddish-brown bars on a measuring tape for snout–vent length. The number dorsum, two black stripes on posterior body and tail; of ventral scales was counted according to Dowling venter and lower surface of tail cream. (1951). The numbers of dorsal scale rows (DSR) are Natural history. The individual was found at 2200 h given using three numbers (e.g., 19-19-15), counted at while foraging near a small stream. The surrounding one head length behind the head, at midbody (i.e., at habitat was mixed primary forest consisting of large the level of the ventral plate corresponding to half the hardwood and shrub. number of the total ventral scale count), and at one head Distribution. In Vietnam, O. porphyraceus had length before the cloaca, respectively. The terminal scale previously been reported from Lao Cai Province in the is not included in the number of subcaudals. Values for north southwards to Quang Binh Province in central paired head characters are given as left/right. Vietnam. This is the first record of the species from Yen Measurements were abbreviated as head length (HL), Bai Province. Elsewhere, this species is known from head width (HW), eye diameter (ED), snout length , , , , , , , (SnL), snout–vent length (SVL), tail length (TaL), and , , and (Nguyen et al., total length (TL). Throughout the species accounts, all 2009). According to Das (2010) this specimen could be measurements are given in millimetres (mm). assigned to the subspecies O. p. vaillanti.

Results Family Natricidae In the following accounts, species names are followed Hebius bitaeniatus (Wall, 1925) by taxonomic authority and year, as well as common (Fig. 2C,D) Kutkai Keelback, Ran sai kut-kai names in English and Vietnamese. Collection and identification. We collected a single Family adult female (HNUE MCC.2017.73) on 1 May 2017, near the Hang De Cha Hai stream, Che Tao Village, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor, 1839) Che Tao Commune, Mu Cang Chai SHCA (21.7631°N, (Fig. 2A,B) 104.0188°E, elevation 2046 m). The morphological Black-banded Trinket Snake, Ran soc dom do characters of the specimen agree with the description of Collection and identification. We collected one adult David et al. (2005). male (HNUE MCC.2017.42) on 30 April 2017 near Morphology. Characteristics of the specimen include Hang De Nhang Chang Stream, Che Tao Village, Che TL 744 mm, tail of medium length (TaL 177 mm; Tal/TL Tao Commune, Mu Cang Chai SHCA (21.7174°N, 0.24). Head longer than wide (HL 23.6 mm; HW 13.7 104.0008°E, elevation 1134 m). The morphological mm; HL/HW 1.89), distinct from neck; snout obtuse characters of the specimen agreed with the descriptions (SnL 6.5 mm; SnL/HL 0.28); nostril lateral; eye large, of Smith (1943), Nguyen (2007), Das (2010), and pupil round (ED 3.9 mm; ED/HL 0.17). Head scalation Le et al. (2014). However, it slightly differs from complete, including paired internasals, prefrontals, and New records and an updated list of snakes from Yen Bai Province, Vietnam 103 parietals, 1/1 supraoculars, and one frontal; rostral wider in the male and 2.7–2.9 mm in females; ED/HL 0.18 than high; 8/8 supralabials, 3rd–5th in contact with the in the male and 0.19–0.20 in females). Head scalation eye, 6th or 7th largest; 10/10 infralabials, 1st–5th bordering complete, including paired internasals, prefrontals, chin shields. DSR 21-19-17, strongly keeled, the first and parietals, 1/1 supraoculars, and one frontal; rostral row weakly keeled, scales of the outer dorsal scale row wider than high; 9/9 supralabials in the male and 8(9)/9 distinctly enlarged; ventrals 167, strongly angulated, in females, 4th–6th in contact with the eye, 8th largest; subcaudals 77, paired; cloacal divided. Dorsal surface 10/10 infralabials, 1st–5th bordering chin shields. DSR of head, body and tail brownish-grey, pale beige brown 19-19-17, the first row keeled, scales of the outer dorsal on the sides, with two broader dorsolateral stripes along scale row distinctly enlarged; ventrals 148 in the male the body venter light brown; venter and lower surface and 145–154 in females; subcaudals 95 in the male of tail yellow. and 85–102 in females, paired; cloacal divided. Dorsal Natural history. The individual was found at 2100 h surface of head, body and tail reddish-brown, with while hiding in a small hole along the bank of a stream. greyish-black vertebral stripe and dark reddish-brown The surrounding habitat was mixed secondary forest lower flanks; venter and lower surface of tail cream. consisting of small hardwood and shrub. Natural history. The individuals were encountered Distribution. In Vietnam, H. bitaeniatus had previously between 2000 and 2200 h while foraging on the ground, been reported from Lao Cai and Son La provinces near large streams. The surrounding habitat was mixed (Nguyen et al., 2009). This is a new record of the species primary forest consisting of large hardwood and shrub. for Yen Bai Province. Elsewhere, this species is known Distribution. In Vietnam, H. boulengeri had from Thailand, Myanmar, and China (Chan-ard et al., previously been reported from Lao Cai Province in 1999; David and Pauwels, 2000; Anonymous, 2003; the north southwards to Lam Dong Province (Nguyen Nguyen et al., 2009). et al., 2009; David et al., 2013). Our record in Yen Bai fills the distribution gap of the species in northwestern Vietnam. Elsewhere, this species is known from China, Hebius boulengeri (Gressitt, 1937) Cambodia, and Thailand (Nguyen et al., 2009; David et (Fig. 2E,F) al., 2013; Uetz et al., 2017). Boulenger’s Keelback, Ran sai bau-len-go Pararhabdophis chapaensis Bourret, 1934 Collection and identification. We collected a total of (Fig. 3A,B) four specimens. An adult male (HNUE MCC.2017.45) Sapa Flat-nosed Snake, Ran binh mui sa pa and two adult females (HNUE MCC.2017.46–47) were collected on 30 April 2017 in Che Tao Commune, Mu Collection and identification. We collected a total of Cang Chai SHCA (21.7174°N, 104.0081°E, elevation four specimens. An adult male (HNUE MCC.2017.72) 1134 m). An additional adult female (IEBR A.2017.5; and an adult female (HNUE MCC.2017.70) were Field No. HNUE MCC.2017.90) was collected on 2 collected on 1 May 2017, near Hang De Cha Hai May 2017, near a small stream in Che Tao Commune, stream, Che Tao Village, Che Tao Commune, Mu Cang Mu Cang Chai SHCA (21.7441°N, 104.0262°E, Chai SHCA (21.7631°N, 104.0188°E, elevation 2046 elevation 1421 m). The morphological characters of the m); two adult females (HNUE MCC.2017.43–44) were specimens agree with the descriptions of Das (2010) collected on 30 April 2017, in the Hang De Nhang Chang and David et al. (2013). stream, Che Tao Village, Che Tao Commune, Mu Cang Morphology. Characteristics of the specimens include Chai SHCA (21.7174°N, 104.0081°E, elevation 1134 TL 527 mm in the male and 472–544 mm in females; m). The morphological characters of the specimens tail long (TaL 178 mm in the male, 153–178 mm in from Mu Cang Chai SHCA agreed with the descriptions females; TaL/TL 0.34 in the male and 0.32–0.34 in of Bourret (1936), Smith (1943), Nguyen (2007), and females). Head longer than wide (HL 15.4 mm in the Pham et al. (2013). The specimens differ from the male and 13.4–15.3 mm in females; HW 8.4 mm in descriptions of Bourret (1936) and Nguyen (2007) in the male and 7.4–8.8 mm in females; HL/HW 1.83 in having fewer ventral scales (164–173 vs. 177). the male and 1.7–1.95 in females), distinct from neck; Morphology. Characteristics of the specimens include snout obtuse (SnL 4.5 mm in the male and 4.1–4.7 mm TL 899 mm in the male and 621–703 mm in females; in females; SnL/HL 0.29 in the male and 0.30–0.31 in tail long (TaL 221 mm in the male and 123–169 mm females); nostril dorsolateral; eye large (ED 2.8 mm in females; TaL/TL 0.24 in the male and 0.20–0.24 in 104 Dzung Trung Le et al.

Figure 2. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral views of Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (HNUE MCC.2017.42), an adult male. (C) Dorsal and (D) ventral views of Hebius bitaeniatus (HNUE MCC.2017.73), an adult female. (E) Dorsal and (F) ventral views of Hebius boulengeri (HNUE MCC.2017.46), an adult female. Photos by A.N. Dao.

females). Head longer than wide (HL 20.2 mm in the feebly keeled, scales of the outer row enlarged; ventrals male and 17.1–20.2 mm in females; HW 11.3 mm in 172 in the male and 164–173 in females; subcaudals the male and 8.8–10.6 mm in females; HL/HW 1.79 in 172 in the male and 51–77 in females, all paired; cloacal the male and 1.74–1.97 in females), distinct from neck; divided. Dorsal surface of head, body and tail blackish- snout obtuse (SnL 6.1 mm in the male and 5.7–5.8 mm grey, with two broader light yellow dorsolateral stripes in females; SnL/HL 0.3 in the male and 0.3–0.34 in along the body venter; venter and lower surface of tail females); nostril lateral; eye large (ED 2.6 mm in the black. male and 2.2–2.3 mm in females; ED/HL 0.13 in the Natural history. The specimens were collected male and 0.14 in females). Head scalation complete, between 1930 and 2100 h while moving on the ground including paired internasals, prefrontals, and parietals, or swimming in small streams, in the primary forest, at 1/1 supraoculars, and one frontal; rostral wider than elevations between 1134 and 2046 m. high; 9/9 supralabials, 4th–6th in contact with the eye, 8th Distribution. Pararhabdophis chapaensis was largest; 10/10 infralabials, 1st–5th bordering chin shields. previously known only from Lao Cai and Son La DSR 19-17-17 in the male and 17(19)-17-17 in females, provinces, Vietnam (Nguyen et al., 2009; Pham et al., New records and an updated list of snakes from Yen Bai Province, Vietnam 105

2013). This is the first record of the species from Yen China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand (Nguyen Bai Province. et al., 2009).

Sinonatrix percarinata (Boulenger, 1899) Family Pareatidae (Fig. 3C,D) Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905) Mountain Watersnake, Ran hoa can van den (Fig. 3E,F) Collection and identification. We collected a total Hampton’s Slug Snake, Ran ho may ham-ton of three specimens. Two adult females (HNUE Collection and identification. We collected two MCC.2017.123–24) and a juvenile (HNUE specimens during our surveys. An adult male (HNUE MCC.2017.125) were collected on 4 May 2017 at MCC.2017.69) and a juvenile (HNUE MCC.2017.71) Che Tao Village, Che Tao Commune, Mu Cang Chai were collected on 1 May 2017, near Hang De Cha SHCA (21.7236°N 104.0356°E, elevation 1158 m). Hai stream, Che Tao village, Che Tao Commune, Mu The specimens from Mu Cang Chai SHCA agreed with Cang Chai SHCA (21.7631°N, 104.0188°E, elevation the descriptions of Smith (1943), Nguyen (2007), Das 2046 m). The specimens agree with the descriptions (2010), and Le et al. (2015). The specimens differ from of Boulenger (1905), Smith (1943), Nguyen (2007), the description of Le et al. (2015) in having more black Das (2010), Vogel (2010), and Le et al. (2014). The bars on the body (37–39 vs. 27–36). specimens differ from the description of Smith (1943) Morphology. Characteristics of the specimens include in having fewer subcaudals (84–88 vs. 93–98). TL 586–613 mm in females and 239 mm in the juvenile; Morphology. Characteristics of the specimens include tail of medium length (TaL 156–172 mm in females and TL 628 mm in the male and 323 mm in the juvenile; 66 mm in the juvenile; TaL/TL 0.27–0.28 in females and tail of medium length (TaL 151 mm in the male and 0.28 in the juvenile). Head longer than wide (HL 20.7– 75 mm in the juvenile; TaL/TL 0.24 in the male and 21.4 mm in females and 12.7 mm in the juvenile; HW 0.23 in the juvenile). Head longer than wide (HL 17.4 11.5–12.4 mm in females and 7.3 mm in the juvenile; mm in the male and 12.2 mm in the juvenile; HW 11.1 HL/HW 1.73–1.8 in females and 1.94 in the juvenile), mm in the male and 6.3 mm in the juvenile; HL/HW head distinct from neck; snout obtuse (SnL 6.4–6.6 mm 1.57 in the male and 1.94 in the juvenile), distinct from in females and 3.6 mm in the juvenile; SnL/HL 0.31 in neck; snout obtuse (SnL 4.5 mm in the male and 3,4 females and 0.29 in the juvenile); nostril lateral; eye mm in the juvenile; SnL/HL 0.26 in the male and 0.28 large, pupil round (ED 3.9–4.1 mm in females and 2.6 in the juvenile); nostril lateral; eye large, pupil vertical mm in the juvenile; ED/HL 0.19 in females and 0.2 in (ED 3.3 mm in the male and 2.7 mm in the juvenile). the juvenile). Head scalation complete, including paired Head scalation complete, including paired internasals, internasals, prefrontals, and parietals, 1/1 supraoculars, prefrontals, and parietals, 1/1 supraoculars, and one and one frontal; rostral wider than high; 9/9 supralabials, frontal; rostral as wide as high; 8/8 supralabials, none in th th th 4 and 5 in contact with the eye, the 7 scale largest; contact with the eye, the 8th scale largest in the male and st th 10/10 infralabials, 1 –5 bordering chin shields. DSR19- 7th scale largest in the juvenile; 7/7 infralabials, 1st–4th 19-17, keeled, the first scale row smooth, scales of the bordering chin shields. DSR 15-15-15, feebly keeled, outer scale row enlarged; ventrals 139–144; subcaudals scales of the outer dorsal scale row slightly enlarged in 73–80 in females and 83 in the juvenile, all paired; the male and smooth in the juvenile; ventrals 191 in the cloacal divided. Dorsal surface of forehead, body and male and 197 in the juvenile. Subcaudals 88 in the male tail olive-grey, with light-edged black bars in flanks, and 84 in the juvenile, paired; cloacal divided. Dorsal broad dorsally, becoming narrower laterally, venter surface of head, body and tail reddish-brown, with yellowish-cream anteriorly, with small black speckles vertical black cross-bars, pale in the adult; venter and posteriorly; subcaudals dark grey with black spots. lower surface of tail orange. Natural history. The specimens were collected Natural history. The specimens were collected between 1700 and 1900 h, while resting or foraging on between 2000 and 2030 h, while foraging on tree trees above small streams. branches, ca. 1.5 m above the forest floor, near a stream. Distribution. In Vietnam, S. percarinata had The surrounding habitat was evergreen secondary forest previously been reported from Lao Cai Province in the consisting of small hardwoods and shrubs. north southwards to Dong Nai Province (Nguyen et al., Distribution. In Vietnam, P. hamptoni had previously 2009). Elsewhere, this species is known from India, been reported from Lao Cai Province in the north 106 Dzung Trung Le et al.

Figure 3. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral views of Pararhabdophis chapaensis (HNUE MCC.2017.72), an adult male. (C) Dorsal and (D) ventral views of Sinonatrix percarinata (HNUE MCC.2017.123), an adult female. (E) Dorsal and (F) ventral views of Pareas hamptoni (HNUE MCC.2017.69), an adult male. Photos by A.N. Dao.

southwards to Dong Nai Province (Nguyen et al., 2009). Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam by Wall (1925). Elsewhere, this species is known from China, Myanmar, The identification of this species is relatively difficult Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand (Nguyen et al., 2009; because of the morphological similarity to H. Vogel, 2010). However, the taxonomic status of P. octolineatus and H. parallelus. The specimen of H. hamptoni in different regions remains a controversial bitaeniatus from Yen Bai differs from H. octolineatus issue������������������������������������������, in having the dorsal stripe bordered with two narrow complex with a pronounced geographic structure (You black lines (vs. one or two wide grey stripes), and by et al., 2015). having strongly (vs. weakly) keeled dorsal scales (see David et al., 2005). The specimen differs from H. Discussion parallelus in having the upper dorsal surface darker Hebius bitaeniatus and Pararhabdophis chapaensis than the sides (vs. sides nearly identically coloured) and are two poorly known species of snakes in Vietnam. the postocular streak continuous (vs. discontinuous) Hebius bitaeniatus was originally described from with the lateral black stripe of the body (see David et New records and an updated list of snakes from Yen Bai Province, Vietnam 107

Table 1. List of snake species recorded from Yen Bai Province, Vietnam. Asterisks (*) denote new provincial records. References include 1 = NguyenTable et al.1. List (2009), of snake 2 = species Le and recorded Le (unpubl.), from Yen 3Bai = Province,this study. Vietnam. The column Asterisks titled (*) denote IUCN new (2017) provincial provides an assessment according to the IUCNrecords. Red References List of Threatenedinclude 1 = Nguyen Species et al., the (2009), column 2 = Le titled and Le RBVN (unpubl.), (2007) 3 = this shows study. Theassessments column according to the titled IUCN (2017) provides an assessment according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Vietnam Red Data Bookcolumn. Abbreviations titled RBVN (2007) are VU shows = vulnerable,assessments according EN = endangered, to the Vietnam and Red CR Data = Bookcritically. Abbreviations endangered. are VU = vulnerable, EN = endangered, and CR = critically endangered.

Species Previous Record IUCN (2017) VNRB (2007) Pythonidae Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) 1 CR Xenopeltidae Xenopeltis hainanensis Hu and Zhao, 1972 1 Colubridae Calamaria pavimentata Duméril et al., 1854 1 Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw, 1802) 1 Coelognathus radiatus (Boie, 1827) 1 VU Gonyosoma boulengeri (Mocquard, 1897) 2 Gonyosoma prasinum (Blyth, 1854) 2 VU cyclurus (Cantor, 1839) 2 Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor, 1839)* 3 VU Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus, 1758) 1 EN Natricidae Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus, 1758) 1 Hebius bitaeniatum (Wall, 1925)* 3 Hebius boulengeri (Gressitt, 1937)* 3 Pararhabdophis chapaensis Bourret, 1934* 3 Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel, 1837) 1 Sinonatrix percarinata (Boulenger, 1899)* 3 Xenochrophis flavipunctatus (Hallowell, 1860) 1 Pareatidae Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)* 3 Pseudoxenodontidae macrops (Blyth, 1855) 2,3 Hypsiscopus plumbea (Boie, 1827) 1 Elapidae Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801) 1 EN Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor, 1836) 2 VU CR Viperidae Deinagkistrodon acutus (Günther, 1888) 2 Protobothrops jerdonii (Günther, 1875) 2 Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 2, 3

al., 2005). Pararhabdophis chapaensis is endemic to and the outer quarter of each ventral coloured reddish Vietnam and was recently found in Copia and Sop Cop brown (vs. dark brown) (see David et al., 2013). nature reserves in Son La Province (Pham et al., 2013). Based on our collection, six additional snake species According to David et al. (2013) Hebius boulengeri (Hebius bitaeniatus, H. boulengeri, Oreocryptophis morphologically resembles H. inas and H. khasiensis, porphyraceus, Pararhabdophis chapaensis, Pareas but the specimens from Yen Bai differ from H. inas hamptoni, Sinonatrix percarinata) can be added to in the colour of dorsolateral spots (reddish brown vs. the herpetofaunal list of Yen Bai Province. Our new yellow or ochre). In addition, H. inas is known only from findings bring the total number of snakes recorded Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand (Uetz et al., 2017). from Mu Cang Chai SHCA to 14 and from Yen Bai The specimens from Yen Bai differ from H. khasiensis Province to 25 (after Nguyen et al., 2009; Le and Le, in having the first dorsal scale row smooth (vs. keeled), unpublished 2010). In terms of conservation concern, 108 Dzung Trung Le et al. only Ophiophagus hannah is listed in the IUCN Red monitoring. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. List (IUCN, 2017) as vulnerable, and seven species IUCN (2017): The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available (Table 1) are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (Tran at www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on 18 June 2017. Le, D.T., Le, P.M. (2010): 2010 census of Western Black Crested et al., 2007). However, as these counts are still rather Gibbon Nomascus concolor in Mu Cang Chai Species/Habitat low compared to other snake communities in Vietnam Conservation Area (Yen Bai Province) and adjacent forests in (e.g., Ziegler et al., 2007), further fieldwork is required Muong La District, Son La Province). ������������������������� to explore the actual diversity of the herpetofauna, in Fauna & Flora International Vietnam Programme. particular the snake fauna of this province. Le, D.T., Nguyen, S.L.H., Pham, C.T., Nguyen, T.Q. (2014): New records of snakes (: Serpentes) from Dien Bien Province. Journal of Biology 36 (4): 460–470. Acknowledgements. We are grateful to the directorate of the Mu Le, D.T., Pham, A.V., Pham, C.T., Nguyen, S.H.L., Ziegler, T., Cang Chai SHCA for support of our fieldwork. We thank N.H. Nguyen, T.Q. (2015): Review of the Sinonatrix in Vietnam Nguyen and Y.T. Do (HNUE) for their assistance in the field and with a new country record of Sinonatrix yunanensis Rao et Yang, H. Kaiser for his comments on our manuscript. This research was 1998. Russian Journal of Herpetology 22 (2): 84–88. partially funded by the Hanoi National University of Education Nguyen, S.V. (2007): Fauna of Vietnam: Serpentes. Hanoi, (Grant No. SPHN17–09). Vietnam, Science and Technics Publishing House. 247 pp. [in Vietnamese] References Nguyen, S.V., Ho, C.T., Nguyen, T.Q. (2009): Herpetofauna of Anonymous (2003): Report of rapid biodiversity assessments at Vietnam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Edition Chimaira. 768 Cenwanglaoshan Nature Reserve, Northwest , China, pp. 1999 and 2002. Hong Kong SAR, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Pham, A.V., Nguyen, N.T.B., Nguyen, M.T., Nguyen, S.L.H., Garden, South China Forest Biodiversity Survey Report Series Nguyen, T.Q. (2013): New records of snakes (Reptilia: 27: 1–61. Squamata: Serpentes) from Son La Province. 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