Survey Results on the Herpetofauna Diversity in Hin Nam No National Protected Area, Khammouane, Laos

On behalf of GIZ

Published by

Published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany

Integrated Nature Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management in the Hin Nam No Region (HNN) Chormphet Village, Thakhek District, Khammouan Province PO Box: 555 T +856 51 214175 F +856 51 214175 Email: [email protected] www.giz.de/laos (EN); www.giz.de/laos-la (LAO)

As at July 2017

Design and layout Bounmee Maokhamphiou

Photo credits GIZ/Hin Nam No Vinh Quang Luu: Cover page Above: The karst forest in Ta Pai, Nong Ma Village Below left: Cyrtodactylus hinnamnoensis, collected from Nong Ping Village Below right: Theloderma corticale, collected from Nong Ma Village Vinh Quang Luu: page 27, 28, 29, 30(A, B, C, D, F), 31(B, C, D, E, F), 32, 33, 34(B, C, D, E, F); 35(A, B, D, F) Khieusomphone Vanhnabuaosy: page 30(E), 35(C) Ngoan Van Ha: page 31(A), 34(A), 35(E)

Text Contributions of the contractors, Vinh Quang Luu, Tung Thanh Nguyen, Ngoan Van Ha from Vietnam National University of Forestry, and Khieusomphone Vanhnabuaosy and Thanousone Homsisombath, do not necessarily represent the position of GIZ.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Research Team: Vinh Quang Luu, Tung Thanh Nguyen

Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ngoan Van Ha

Independent Researcher

Khieusomphone Vanhnabuaosy, Thanousone Homsisombath

Hin Nam No National Protected Area, Khammouane Province, Laos

Team Leader: Bastian Flury

Research Coordinator: Petra Erbe (Consultant)|

Map: Dirk Euler (Biodiversity Advisor)

Project Funding: Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Available from: Hin Nam No National Protected Area

Citation: Vinh Quang Luu et al. (2017): Herpetofauna diversity in Hin Nam No National Protected Area, Khammouane, Laos. A scientific report of the German project “Integrated Nature Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management in the Hin Nam No Region (HNN)”, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This is the final report of a herpetodiversity research, which was commissioned by GIZ Hin Nam No National Project. The herpetology research team undertaken 33-day field work in four sites within HNN NPA between March and April 2017. Based on the specimen identification and direct observation in the field, we recorded a total of 55 species (33 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians) from HNN NPA. To combine with the results from previous studies, the species number of the herpetofauna of HNN NPA is 71 (44 species of reptiles and 27 species of amphibians). Among four survey sites Nong Ma has the highest number of recorded species (32), followed by Dou (22), Nong Ping (22), and Thong Xam (17). The research team also found 15 new records for the herpetofauna of HNN NPA. Remarkably, the specimen of Keelback snake collected in Nong Ma may represent a second specimen of Hebius andreae described by Ziegler & Le more than 10 years ago.

Statistic analysis showed that herpetofauna of Thong Xam is similar to that of Nong Ping and the highest difference is between Thong Xam and Nong Ma.

In comparison with this data from PNKB NPA we found that 6 reptile species are only known to occur in HNN NPA only. Four of them are endemic species on the western side of the Annamite Mountain Range.

Threatened species: Among 71 species recorded from HNN NPA, seven species are being globally or nationally threatened: seven species listed in the IUCN Red List (2017) and two species in the Appendix II of CITES (2017). Although the number of threatened species is not so high (ca. 10% of the total species), they are very rare in the wild.

Recommendations for biodiversity conservation: • Support for further herpetodiversity research • Identification of priority areas for biodiversity conservation ບົດລາຍງານການສໍາຫຼວດສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄິ່ງນໍ㛉າ

ຜົນການສໍາຫຼວດຄວາມຫຼາກຫຼາຍຂອງສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄິ່ງນໍ㛉າ

ໃນປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈

ແຂວງ ຄໍາມ່ວນ, ປະເທດລາວ ບົດລາຍງານຫຍ 㛉

ນີີ້ແມ່ນບົດລາຍງານສະບັບສົມບູນຂອງການສຶກສາຄົີ້ນຄ້ວາສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າ ແລະ ສັດເລືອຄານ ທີິ່ໄດ້ຮັບການມອບໝ

າຍໂດຍໂຄງການຈີໄອແຊັດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈. ທີມງານສຶກສາຄົີ້ນຄ້ວານີີ້ໃຊ້ເວລາ 33 ວັນໃນການເຮັດວຽກພາກສະໜາມ

ພາຍໃນ 4 ພືີ້ນທີິ່ທີິ່ຢ່ ໃນເຂດປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈ໃນຊ່ວງລະຫວ່າງ ເດືອນ ມີນາ ຫາ ເດືອນ ເມສາ 2017

ອີງຕາມການຈໍາແນກຕົວຢ່າງຂອງຊະນ ດພັນ ແລະ ການສັງເກດຕົວຈ ງໃນພາກສະໜາມ ພວກເຮົາໄດ້ບັນທຶກທັງໝົດມີ

55 ຊະນ ດພັນ (ສັດເລືອຄານ 33 ຊະນ ດພັນ ແລະ ສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າ 22 ຊະນ ດພັນ) ຈາກປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນ

ໜາມໜ 㛈.

ເພືິ່ອສົມທົບກັບຜົນໄດ້ຮັບຈາກການສຶກສາຄົີ້ນຄ້ວາໃນເມືິ່ອກ່ອນ, ຈໍານວນຊະນ ດພັນຂອງສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄິ່ ງນໍ㛉າຂອງປ່າ

ສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈ແມ່ນ 71 ຊະນ ດພັນ (ສັດເລືອຄານ 44 ຊະນ ດພັນ ແລະ ສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າ 27 ຊະນ ດ

ພັນ). ໃນບັນດາການສໍາຫຼວດພືີ້ນທີິ່ 4 ແຫ່ງນີີ້: ເຂດໜອງມ້າມີການບັນທຶກຈໍານວນຊະນ ດພັນຫຼາຍກວ່າໝູ່ (32 ຊະນ ດ

ພັນ), ຕ 㛈ມາແມ່ນ ເຂດບ້ານ ດຸ (22 ຊະນ ດພັນ), ເຂດໜອງປິງ (22 ຊະນ ດພັນ) ແລະ ເຂດທົງຊໍ㛉າ (17 ຊະນ ດພັນ).

ນອກຈາກນັີ້ນ ທີິ່ມງານສໍາຫຼວດກ 㛈ໄດ້ຍັງມີການບັນທຶກໃໝ່ຈໍານວນ 15 ຊະນ ດພັນສໍາລັບສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າຂອງປ່າ

ສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈. ໂດຍສະເພາະແມ່ນ ຕົວຢ່າງຊະນ ດພັນງ ທີິ່ໄດ້ເກັບກໍາໃນເຂດໜອງມ້າອາດຈະເປັນ

ຕົວຢ່າງຊະນ ດພັນທີສອງຂອງ Hebius andreae ທີິ່ໄດ້ອະທ າບໂດຍ ທ່ານ ຊ ກເລີ ແລະ ເລ ໃນເມືິ່ອຫຼາຍກວ່າ 10 ປີ

ກ່ອນ.

ການວ ເຄາະທາງດ້ານສະຖ ຕ ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າໃນເຂດບ້ານທົງຊ㛉ໍາແມ່ນຄ້າຍຄືກັບເຂດບ້ານໜອງປິງ

ແລະ ມີຄວາມແຕກຕ່າງກັນຫຼາຍລະຫວ່າງເຂດບ້ານທົງຊໍ㛉າ ກັບ ເຂດບ້ານໜອງມ້າ

ເມືິ່ອສົມທຽບຂ 㛉ມູນນີີ້ໃນອຸທ ຍານແຫ່ງຊາດຟອງຍາແກບ່າງ ພວກເຮົາໄດ້ເຫັນວ່າ ມີສັດເລືອຄານ 6 ຊະນ ດແມ່ນຮູ້ວ່າມີ

ພຽງຢູ່ໃນປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈ເທົານັີ້ນ ເຊ ິ່ງໃນນັີ້ນມີ 4 ຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ເປັນຊະນ ດພັນສະເພາະຖ ິ່ນໃນເຂດ

ເບືີ້ອງຕາເວັນຕົກສ່ຽງເໜືອຂອງສາຍພູຫຼວງ.

ຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ຖືກໄພຂົມຂູ່: ໃນບັນດາ 71 ຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ໄດ້ບັນທຶກຈາກປ່າສະຫງວນແຫ່ງຊາດຫີນໜາມໜ 㛈 ມີ 7 ຊະນ ດ

ພັນທີິ່ກໍາລັງຖືກໄພຂົມຂູ່ຂອງໂລກ ຫຼື ພາຍໃນປະເທດ: ມີ 7 ຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ໄດ້ຂືີ້ນບັນຊີແດງຂອງອົງການ IUCN

(2017) ແລະ ມີ 2 ຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ລະບຸໄວ້ໃນເອກະສານຊ້ອນທ້າຍ II ຂອງ CITES (2017). ເຖ ງແມ່ນວ່າຈໍານວນ

ຊະນ ດພັນແມ່ນຍັງບ 㛈ທັນຫຼາຍ (ປະມານ 10%ຂອງຊະນ ດພັນທັງໝົດ) ແຕ່ວ່າພວກມັນເປັນຊະນ ດພັນທີິ່ຫາຍາກຢູ່ໃນ

ປ່າ.

ຄໍາແນະນໍາສໍາລັບການອະນຸລັກຊີວະນາໆພັນ:

• ການສະໜັບສະໜູນສໍາລັບການສຶກສາຄົີ້ນຄ້ວາກ່ຽວກັບຄວາມລາກຫຼາຍຂອງສັດເລືອຄານ ແລະ ສັດເຄ ິ່ງບົກ

ເຄ ິ່ງນໍ㛉າໃນຕ 㛈ໜ້າ

• ການກໍານົດເຂດພືີ້ນທີິ່ບຸລ ມະສ ດສໍາລັບການອະນຸລັກຊີວະນາໆພັນ

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... iii

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 1

1.2 OBJECTIVE ...... 1

1.3 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HIN NAM NO NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ANNAMITE MOUNTAIN RANGE ...... 2

2. RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS ON REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS ...... 4

2.1 OVERVIEW ...... 4

2.2 SURVEY SITES AND METHODS ...... 4

2.2.1 Schedule of activities ...... 4

2.2.2 Activities and methodology: ...... 4

2.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 6

2.3.1 Species diversity ...... 6

2.3.2 New discoveries ...... 12

2.3.3 Threatened species of reptiles and amphibians recorded from HNN NPA ...... 13

3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 14

3.1 CONCLUSIONS ...... 14

3.2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NPA MANAGEMENT PLAN...... 15

4. REFERENCES ...... 16

ANNEX...... 19

ANNEX 1. LIST OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN THE KARST FOREST OF HNN NPA ...... 19

ANNEX 2. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES ...... 24

ANNEX 3. GPS READINGS FOR SURVEY SITES IN HNN NPA ...... 25

ANNEX 4. MAP OF SURVEY SITES IN HNN NPA ...... 25

ANNEX 5. LIST OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS AND REPORTING CONTRIBUTORS ...... 26

ANNEX 6. ILLUSTRATIONAL COLOR PLATES ...... 27

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Acronym Meaning The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of CITES Wild Fauna and Flora GIS Geographic Information System Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GIZ GmbH HNN NPA Hin Nam No National Protected Area NUOL National University of Laos PNKB NP Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park VNUF Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is the final report of a herpetodiversity research, which was commissioned by GIZ Hin Nam No National Project. The herpetology research team undertaken 33-day field work in four sites within HNN NPA between March and April 2017. Based on the specimen identification and direct observation in the field, we recorded a total of 55 species (33 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians) from HNN NPA. To combine with the results from previous studies, the species number of the herpetofauna of HNN NPA is 71 (44 species of reptiles and 27 species of amphibians). Among four survey sites Nong Ma has the highest number of recorded species (32), followed by Dou (22), Nong Ping (22), and Thong Xam (17). The research team also found 15 new records for the herpetofauna of HNN NPA. Remarkably, the specimen of Keelback snake collected in Nong Ma may represent a second specimen of Hebius andreae described by Ziegler & Le more than 10 years ago.

Statistic analysis showed that herpetofauna of Thong Xam is similar to that of Nong Ping and the highest difference is between Thong Xam and Nong Ma.

In comparision with this data from PNKB NPA we found that 6 reptile species are only known to occur in HNN NPA only. Four of them are endemic species on the western side of the Annamite Mountain Range.

Recommendations for biodiversity conservation:  Support for further herpetodiversity research  Identification of priority areas for biodiversity conservation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report has been resulted of herpetodiversity research in Hin Nam No National Protected Area with funding from the Vietnamese-German Development Cooperation. The authors of the report would like to take this opportunity to thank the following officers and individuals for their support during the field surveys in the Hin Nam No National Protected Area and reporting in Hanoi.

The GiZ Project “Nature Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management in Hin Nam No National Protected Area” has invited us to take part in this study, and has commissioned the field work in the Hin Nam No National Protected Area, through Mr. Bastian Flury, Project Leader and Ms; Petra Erbe, Resesarch Coordinator (Consultant with GiZ).

Mr. Sisomphone Soudthichak (Director of HNN NPA) for supporting the survey team. Thanks to Mr. Kieusomphone Thanabuaosy and Mr. Thanousone Homsaysombath for participating in this survey.

We are grateful to Assoc Prof. Sengdeuane Wayakone and Mr. Saly Sitthivong (NUOL, Vientiane) for supporting our field research in Laos. Export of collected specimens was done via the export permit Number 0029/17-01 signed by the CITES Management Authority of Lao PDR.

The reasearch team would like to thank Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler (Cologne Zoo) and Dr. Truong Quang Nguyen (IEBR) for commenting on the first draft of this report.

We would also like to thank local people from Thong Xam, Dou, Nong Xeng, Pha Noc, Vang Khon, Nong Ping, Kouan Kha Nhom, Nong Ma villages for their participating in this survey, hospitality and for providing information.

iii

We also wish to thank our host institution who made it possible for us to participate in the field study and analyze collected data. Department of Wildlife, Biodiversity Center, Faculty of Forest Resources and Environmental Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry. In particular, thanks are due to Prof. Pham Van Chuong - Vice President of VNUF and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phung Van Khoa, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Tien Thinh.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND Biodiversity Conservation is the most important goal of the Hin Nam No NPA and also one main focus of the GIZ HNN project. The upcoming UNESCO World Heritage nomination will help in achieving this goal by adding awareness and funds to the NPA. However, the amount of documented knowledge about the biodiversity of the NPA is sparse. Current data are lacking in the Herpetological field.

As Luu (2016) wrote: “Hin Nam No NPA and its surrounding areas in Khammouane Province, Laos, is an example, from where the amphibian and reptile fauna is virtually unknown. The report by Walston & Vinton (1999) is the only study that catalogued amphibian and reptile species from the area, but the given total number of 49 herpetofaunal representatives is likely a severe underestimate of the actual species richness”.

The chances for new (also cryptic) and endemic species in Hin Nam No, especially on Karst, is high. It seems that especially cyrtodactylid geckos have developed into a range of karst-adapted (cryptic) species in the Annamite Mountains. Another factor is that the Annamite Mountain Chain might house many more (cryptic) new species as especially “the gecko species seem to radiate along the Annamite Mountain Range in a way comparable to the Darwin finches on the remote Galapagos Islands” (M. Bonkowski, WWF Website). Recent reports from ranger patrols on a limited number of bigger reptiles are available, but are lacking closer identification.

Hence, a current detailed study especially into the karst specialist species is necessary to procure the required data. The expected results will help greatly to achieve a successful UNESCO World Heritage nomination.

1.2 OBJECTIVE The overall aim of the survey/study is to procure current and confident data on the Herpetofauna of Hin Nam No NPA. These data will support the upcoming UNESCO

World Heritage nomination process for Hin Nam No NPA in delivering necessary proof of the current herpetofaunal diversity in Hin Nam No NPA. Also the encounter frequency for more common and specialist species will give hints to their abundances and distribution. The resulting species list will act as a baseline for the further by UNESCO required monitoring. Reptiles are for the most part range restricted and highly endemic in HNN, their diversity can help underline the importance (and difference to PNKB) of the HNN Karst areas as a habitat.

More specifically the objectives are:  To provide a current baseline of the Herpetofauna of high conservation value in the Hin Nam No NPA  Give special insight to the Karst specialist species in Hin Nam No NPA  Add new and newly discovered species to the Hin Nam No Herpetofauna inventory

1.3 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HIN NAM NO NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ANNAMITE MOUNTAIN RANGE The Annamite Mountain Range is situated along Laos' border with Vietnam. It is known to Laotians as Saiphou Louang, and in Vietnamese as Truong Son. To the rest of the world, it is known as the Annamite Mountain Range. The northern part of the Range contains a large series of contiguous limestone karst formations (Sterling et al. 2006). Today, it is a unique transitional region between the subtropical plant communities of the North and the tropical South in Indochina (Groves & Schaller 2000; Sterling et al. 2006). It is considered a region of global importance in terms of biodiversity (Myers et al. 2000). A complex history of geological uplifting and folding created a sequence of large limestone and granite formations in this region. The overlap of Sino-Himalayan and Indo-Malayan biotic influences as well as both climatic and historical factors have contributed to high levels of diversity and endemism in the Annamite Mountain Range (Clements et al. 2006; Sterling et al. 2006; Bain & Hurley 2011). In the last two decades, several new distinct species of mammals have been discovered from the forests in this region, e.g., Pseudoryx nghetinhensis (Vu et al. 1993), Muntiacus vuquangensis (Do et al. 1994), M.

truongsonensis (Pham et al. 1998), Nesolagus timminsi (Averianov et al. 2000), and Laonastes aenigmamus (Jenkins et al. 2005).

The HNN NPA, in central Laos, and the PNKB NP, in central Vietnam are located on opposite sides of the Annamite Mountain Range. The herpetofauna is regarded as a significant portion of the biodiversity in these regions, with 532 recorded species of amphibians and reptiles (Bain & Hurley 2011). The herpetofaunal diversity in the Annamite Mountain Range has been investigated since before the last century (e.g., White 1842; Mouhot 1864; Morice 1875; Tirant, 1885; Smith 1920). Seventy years later, between 1998 and 1999, again numerous herpetofaunal surveys were conducted on the Vietnamese side of the northern Annamite Mountain Range, e.g. Huong Son Forest Enterprises (Ha Tinh Province), Ke Bo (Nghe An Province) and Cha Lo (Quang Binh Province), revealing a total of 71 species of herpetofauna (35 amphibians and 36 reptiles) (Bain & Nguyen 2001a; Bain & Nguyen 2001b; Chou et al. 2001). Subsequently, intensive herpetodiversity surveys were carried out in PNKB NP for another 10 years (e.g., Ziegler & Herrmann 2000; Ziegler et al. 2006; Ziegler et al. 2007; Hendrix et al. 2008; Ziegler & Vu 2009; Ziegler et al. 2010). At least 12 new amphibian and reptile taxa have been described in the area. Recently, Luu et al. (2013) published a list of 11 new records of amphibian and reptile species and subspecies, thus updating and increasing the total number of herpetofauna known from Phong Nha - Ke Bang to 151 species. Despite this progress, big gaps still remain in our knowledge on the herpetofaunal diversity and its distribution in the Annamite Mountain Range (Ziegler & Vu 2009). Hin Nam No NPA and its surrounding areas in Khammouane Province, Laos, is an example, from where the amphibian and reptile fauna is virtually unknown. The report by Walston & Vinton (1999) is the only study that catalogued amphibian and reptile species from the area, but the given total number of 49 herpetofaunal representatives is likely a severe underestimate of the actual species richness. This region certainly yields a distinctly higher number of species, including so far undescribed taxa when compared to the comprehensive data available from PNKB NP on the opposite side of Annamite Mountain Range.

2. RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS ON REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

2.1 OVERVIEW Field work was conducted in the karst forest with a total of 33 days. Besides direct observations of encountered species in the natural habitat, the research team also collected the representative scientific collection.

Field surveys were conducted in the karst forest inside the national protected area by the research team consisting of five members.

2.2 SURVEY SITES AND METHODS

2.2.1 Schedule of activities  Field surveys from Thong Xam Village to Nam Ork cave, Pha Xong, and Mag Kua Khaiy cave: 7-12 March  Field surveys in Nong Seng cave, Nong Seng Village: 13 March  Field surveys from Dou Village to Khan Day, Ang San, Khem Kham La: 14-18 March  Field surveys from Dou Village to Kuan Nong, Phou Khi Ka Deuane, Nong Bun, and Pha To Khong: 19-22 March (group 1)  Field surveys from Vang Khon Village to Cau Cave: 19-20 March (group 2)  Field surveys in Pha Noc Village: 21-22 March (group 2)  Field surveys from Nong Ping Village to Long cave, Pong cave, Nong Chong, and Tat Sa Kae: 24-28 March  Field surveys from Kouan Kha Nhom Village to Dan Tam cave, Nong Luang, Huoi Pa Say, and Huay Ka Lok: 29 March-3 April  Field surveys from Nong Ma Village to Hang Toi region, Ping region, Mua Ni region and Tapai: 4-10 April

2.2.2 Activities and methodology: 1. Preparation for the project (4 - 6 March 2017)

2. Field sampling (7 March - 11 April 2017): The biodiversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the area will be determined by field samplings within 33 days. The survey should follow line transects across gradients from (semi-)evergreen to dry karst in these selected areas: Pha Xong, Nong Boun-Khouan Nong, Nong Luang, Huay Kaloc, Tat Sakae-Nong Chong-Khouan Ka-urn, Nong Ma-Tapai, Phou Khikadeuan-Pha Nongtok. The survey sites will be surveyed by active opportunistic search both day-time and night-time. Investigators will employ opportunistic searching along streams, and open areas (roads, fields, ponds, isolated karst formations and accessible forest sites). During the field work, interviews will be conducted with local people and protected area staff to gain information of local knowledge on species and site selection to aid the field surveys.

When the amphibians and reptiles were not identified to the species level in the field, specimens and tissue samples will be collected for identification in the lab (Heyer et al., 1994). One to three individuals of species will be preserved for voucher specimens. Specimen fixing and preservation will be done according to Simmons, J. E. (2002) and "Herpetological collecting and collections management". Herpetological Circulars, SSAR, 31: 1−153. Voucher specimens will be collected legally and selectively with appropriate permissions (e.g., CITES, Animal Welfare Law, Forest Protection regulations of Laos). Scientific collection will be loaned to Vietnam for further studies (e.g., morphological examination, taxonomic comparison, molecular analysis, publication). Subsequently, voucher specimens will be returned to the host country (National University of Laos) and a part will be donated to the Forestry University of Vietnam for scientific research and educational purpose.

3. Lab work (15 April - 15 May, 2017): Morphological examination. This work will be carried out in the laboratory of the Biodiversity Center, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi. Taxonomic identifications will be based on morphological examination of specimens. Morphological characters (measurements, scalation, and color pattern) will be taken to compare the differentiation between populations and species. Morphological characters of specimens from study sites will be also compared with data from the literature, such as species descriptions, identification keys and reviews of Laos and

neighboring countries (e.g., Boulenger 1893; Bourret 1935; Smith 1943; Taylor 1962; Ziegler et al. 2007; Nguyen et al. 2011; Rösler et al. 2011).

Molecular analysis. For the identification of potentially undescribed or cryptic species, a phylogenetic approach will be employed to investigate the population genetics of species/populations of uncertain identity and the closest relative species/populations. DNA extraction, primer selection, PCR cycling procedure will follow the standard methods described in Le et al. (2006), Luu et al. (2015, 2016). Selected genes will be sequenced and compared with data from previous studies and/or from GenBank. Phylogenetic tree will be recovered using different analysis criteria (e.g., neighbor- joining [NJ], maximum likelihood [ML], maximum parsimory [MP], and Bayesian inference [PP] (e.g., Luu et al. 2014, 2015, 2016).

Statistical analysis. Cluster analyses and diversity indices will be applied for evaluating biogeographic relationships of the herpetofaunas (e.g., Statistical analysis is computed using PAST Statistics software version 3.06) (Hammer et al. 2001).

2.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

2.3.1 Species diversity a. Scientific collection

A collection of 99 specimens was collected from different survey sites in the karst forest of Hin Nam No NPA. The voucher specimens are important evidences for taxonomic identification and further study in future. Among 99 specimens, 25 tissue samples were collected for molecular examination. We did not collect specimens of common species (e.g., Gecko, House Gecko, Common Toad, Common Lowland Frog, Rice Frog), however, the records were made based on direct observation or photograph. This collection was transferred to the VNUF for taxonomic identification. A part of this collection (50 specimens) will be sent back to the NUOL, for exhibition or research purposes.

b. Species composition

Based on the specimen identification and direct observation during field surveys we recorded a total of 55 species, comprising 33 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians. To combine with the results from previous studies, the species number of the herpetofauna of HNN NPA is 71, consisting of 44 species of reptiles and 27 species of amphibians. However, it is noted that some unidentified species are still under examination (e.g., Hebius sp., Trimeresurus cf. truongsonensis). Moreover, some species complex, which are morphologically similar, may contain several species forms such as species of Cyrtodactylus, Gekko, Trimeresurus.

Figure 1. Species diversity of herpetofauna families in HNN NPA

In terms of species diversity, Gekkonidae and Colubridae are most dominant family with 10 recorded species, followed by Rhacophoridae (9 species), Scincidae (6 species), and Microhylidae (6 species). Among four survey sites, Nong Ma Village has the highest number of recorded species (32: 16 species of reptiles and 16 species of amphibians), followed by Dou and Nong Ping villages (22 in Dou Village:

14 species of reptiles and 8 species of amphibians; 22 in Nong Ping: 13 species of reptiles and 9 species of amphibians, respectively), and Thong Xam (17: 11 species of reptiles and 6 species of amphibians).

Statistic results using software PAST (Hammer et al. 2001) also supported that the diversity indices (i.e. Shannon_H, Simpson_1-D, and Margalef) are the same as above, respectively. Species diversity in Nong Ma Village is higher than those in the other sites.

Table 2. Diversity indices of reptiles and amphibians of survey sites Diversity index Thong Xam Dou Nong Ping Nong Ma Taxa_S 17 22 22 32 Shannon_H 2.83 3.09 3.09 0.97 Simpson_1-D 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.91 Margalef 5.65 6.79 6.79 8.95

Because the herpetofauna is highly diverse (71 species) and it is difficult to identify the exact names for all species in the field, it is impossible to estimate the population size or abundance of each species. However, we tried to define the species which has a high frequency of occurrence (encountered more than 15 individuals during field surveys) in HNN NPA:

Reptiles: Acanthosaura lepidogaster, Cyrtodactylus calamei, C. hinnamnoensis, C. sommerladi, Gehyra mutilata, Gekko cf. reevesii and Gekko scientiadventura.

Amphibians: Microhyla bedmorei, Microhyla fissipes, Micryletta inornata, Hylarana nigrovittata, Polypedates megacephalus, Rhacophorus spelaeus. c. Similarity in species diversity of survey sites

Statistic data using software PAST (Hammer et al. 2001) presented that herpetofauna of Thong Xam is most similar to that of Nong Ping (distance index 4.1), the highest difference is between Thong Xam and Nong Ma (distance index 5.7). The cluster analysis grouped Nong Ping and Thong Xam in one clade, however, Dou is a sister linage and Nong Ma site is in one clade.

Table 3. Distance index of the herpetofauna diversity of survey sites Locality Thong Xam Dou Nong Ping Nong Ma Thong Xam - Dou 4.8 - Nong Ping 4.1 4.9 - Nong Ma 5.7 5.1 5.5 -

Figure 2. Similarity cluster analysis of the herpetofauna of different survey sites d. Key species account

In comparision with 152 species (52 amphibians and 101 reptiles) from PNKB NP (Luu et al. 2013, Geissler et al. 2015), the species number from HNN NPA is only accounting 47% species number recored from PNKB NP. There are 65 species (92% of the total species numbers of HNN NPA) occurring in both protected areas. However, six reptile species were found in HNN NPA but could not yet be recorded in PNKB NP. These are Calame’s Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus calamei, Darevsky’s Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus darevskii, Hinnamno Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus hinnamnoensis, Sommerlad’s Bent-toed Cyrtodactylus sommerladi, Green Cat Snake Boiga cyanea, Green Keelback Rhabdophis nigrocinctus. Among them four species 9

of Bent-toed Geckos are known as endemic species on western side of the Annamite Mountain Range.

Table 4. The herpetofauna of HNN compared to that of PNKB

HNN No Species name Common name HNN/PNKB only

REPTILE REPTILES + Sauria Lizards + Agamidae Agamids + 1. Acanthosaura lepidogaster Scale-bellied Tree Lizard + 2. Calotes emma Forest Crested Lizard + 3. Calotes versicolor Garden Fence Lizard + 4. Draco maculatus Indochinese Flying Lizard + 5. Physignathus cocincinus Indochinese Water Dragon + Gekkonidae Geckos + 6. Cyrtodactylus calamei Calame’s Bent-toed Gecko + 7. Cyrtodactylus cryptus Hidden Bent-toed Gecko + 8. Cyrtodactylus darevskii Darevsky’s Bent-toed Gecko + 9. Cyrtodactylus hinnamnoensis Hinnamno Bent-toed Gecko + 10. Cyrtodactylus sommerladi Sommerlad’s Bent-toed Gecko + 11. Gehyra mutilata Common Four-clawed Gecko + 12. Hemidactylus garnotii Indo-Pacific Gecko + 13. Gekko cf. reevesii Reeves’ Tokay Gecko + 14. Gekko scientiadventura Phongnhakebang Gecko + 15. Hemidactylus frenatus Common House Gecko + Scincidae Skinks + 16. Eutropis longicaudatus Long-tailed Mabuya + 17. Eutropis macularia Bronze Mabuya + 18. Eutropis multifasciatus Common Sun Skink + 19. Scincella cf. rufocaudata Red-tailed Ground Skink + 20. Sphenomorphus indicus Indian Forest Skink + 21. Sphenomorphus maculatus Spotted Forest Skink + Serpentes Snakes + Xenopeltidae Sunbeam Snakes + 22. Xenopeltis unicolor Common Sunbeam Snake + Colubridae Colubrids + 23. Ahaetula prasina Oriental Whip Snake + 24. Boiga cyanea Green Cat Snake + 25. Chrysopelea ornata Golden Flying Snake + 26. Dendrelaphis pictus Common Bronze-back + 27. Dryocalamus davisonii Bridle Snake + 28. Gonyosoma prasinum Khasi Rat Snake + 29. Hebius leucomystax White-lipped Keelback + 30. Hebius sp. Keelback + 31. Rhabdophis nigrocinctus Green Keelback + 32. Sibynophis collaris Common Black-headed Snake + Pareatidae + 33. Pareas margaritophorus Mountain Slug Snake + Elapidae Kraits and Cobras + 34. Bungarus candidus Blue Krait + Homalopsidae Water snakes + 10

35. Hypsiscopus plumbea Rice Paddy Snake + Viperidae Vipers + Protobothops 36. Chinese Habu + mucrosquamatus 37. Trimeresurus cf. albolabris White-lipped Pitviper + Trimeresurus cf. 38. Truongson Pitviper + truongsonensis TESTUDINES TURTLES + Geoemydidae Old World Pond Turtles + 39. Cuora mouhotii Keeled Box Turtle + 40. Cyclemys dentata Asian Leaf Turtle + 41. Heosemys annamdalii Yellow-headed Temple Turtle + Testudinidae Tortoises + 42. Indotestudo elongata Elongated Tortoise + Trionychidae Softshell Turtles + 43. Amyda cartilaginea Black-rayed Soft-shelled Turtle + 44. Palea steindachneri Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle + AMPHIBIA AMPHIBIANS + ANURA ANURAN + Bufonidae Toads + 45. Duttaphrynus melanostictus Black-spined Toad + 46. Ingerophrynus galeatus Cambodian Toad + Megophryidae Eyebow Frogs + 47. Leptolalax minimus + Microhylidae Narrow-mouthed Frogs + 48. Kalophrynus interlineatus Northern Sticky Frog + 49. Kaloula pulchra Asiatic Painted Frog + Berdmore’s Narrow-mouthed 50. Microhyla bedmorei + Frog 51. Microhyla fissipes Ornate Pigmy Frog + 52. Microhyla heymonsi Black-flanked Pigmy Frog + 53. Micryletta inornata Jewel Pigmy Frog + Dicroglossidae True Frogs + 54. Fejervarya limnocharis Rice Frog + 55. Hoplobatrachus rugulosus Common Lowland Frog + 56. Limnonectes poilani Poilan’s Frog + 57. Occydozyga martensii Martens’ Frog + Ranidae Ranids + 58. Hylarana erythraea + 59. Hylarana nigrovittata Black-striped Frog + 60. Hylarana taipehensis Taipei Frog + 61. Odorrana chloronota Green Cascade Frog + 62. Rana johnsi Johns’ Frog + Rhacophoridae Treefrogs + 63. Gracixalus quyeti Quyet’s Treefrog + 64. Kurixalus bisacculus Taylor's Treefrog + 65. Polypedates megacephalus Whipping Frog + 66. Rhacophorus kio Black-webbed Treefrog + 67. Rhacophorus orlovi Orlov's Treefrog + 68. Rhacophorus maximus Giant Treefrog + 69. Rhacophorus spelaeus Treefrog + 70. Theloderma asperum Hill Garden Bug-eyed Frog + 71. Theloderma corticale Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog + Total 6 65

Higher numbers of amphibians and reptiles in NPKB NP are not surprising, because intensive surveys have been implemented since 1999 (e.g., Ziegler et al. 2004; Hendrix et al. 2008; Zielger et al. 2007; Zielger & Vu 2009; Ziegler et al. 2010). By comparing the relative amounts of shared species in HNN NPA and PNKB NP, it is interesting to note that 6 reptile species from HNN NPA are not shared with PNKB NP. This might indicate that the Annamite Mountain Range might have acted as a stronger biogeographical barrier for reptiles than for amphibians.

2.3.2 New discoveries

Remarkably, we found a specimen of Keelback snake Hebius sp. in the karst forest in Nong Ma Village. This may present a second specimen of Hebius andrea since it was described by Ziegler & Le in 2006. The description of this species will be published separately based on further morphological examination and molecular analysis. In addition, we discovered 15 new records for the herpetofauna of HNN NPA.

 Darevsky’s Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus darevskii was found from Nong Ping Village  Common Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra mutilata was observed from all study sites  Indo-Pacific Gecko Hemidactylus garnotii was recorded from Dou and Nong Ping villages  Phongnhakebang Gecko Gekko scientiadventura was found from all study sites  Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus was recorded from all study sites  Common Sunbeam Snake Xenopeltis unicolor was collected from Dou Village  Oriental Whip Snake Ahaetula prasina was recorded from Nong Ma Village  White-lipped Keelback Amphiesma leucomystax was recorded from Nong Ma Village  Common Black-headed Snake Sibynophis collaris was collected from Dou Village

 Mountain Slug Snake Pareas margaritophorus was recorded from Nong Ping Village  Truongson Pitviper Trimeresurus cf. truongsonensis was found from Dou and Nong Ma villages  Common Lowland Frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus was collected from Nong Ping Village  Orlov's Treefrog Rhacophorus orlovi was collected from Nong Ma Village  Treefrog Rhacophorus spelaeus was found from Thong Xam and Nong Ping villages  Tonkin Bug-eyed Theloderma corticale was collected from Nong Ma Village

The new discoveries mentioned above showed that HNN NPA harbours a high level of herpetofauna diversity. The research team will publish these important findings in academic journals in future.

2.3.3 Threatened species of reptiles and amphibians recorded from HNN NPA

A total of seven threatened species (ca. 10% of the species number) of reptiles and amphibians were recorded in the karst forest of HNN NPA, including:

 Seven species listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (2017): four endangered species, two vulnerable species, and one near threatened species.  Two species listed in the CITES apenddices (2017): two species listed in the Appendix II.

Table 4. List of threatened species of reptiles and amphibians recorded from HNN NPA IUCN CITES No Species name Common name (2017) (2017) TESTUDINES TURTLES 1. Cuora mouhotii Keeled Box Turtle EN

2. Cyclemys dentata Asian Leaf Turtle NT Testudinidae Tortoises 3. Indotestudo elongata Elongated Tortoise EN Trionychidae Softshell Turtles Black-rayed Soft-shelled 4. Amyda cartilaginea VU II Turtle Wattle-necked Softshell 5. Palea steindachneri EN II Turtle AMPHIBIA AMPHIBIANS 6. Gracixalus quyeti Quyet’s Treefrog EN 7. Rhacophorusspelaeus Treefrog VU Notes:  IUCN (2017) = The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerabale, NT = Near Threatened.  CITES (2017) = Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), valid from 7 June 2017. II = species listed in the Appendix II.

3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 CONCLUSIONS

Herpetofauna diversity: During field surveys we recorded a total of 55 species (33 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians) from four sites in HNN NPA. To combine with the results from previous studies, the species number of the herpetofauna of HNN NPA is 71 (44 species of reptiles and 27 species of amphibians). Among four survey sites Nong Ma has the highest number of recorded species (32), followed by Dou (22), Nong Ping (22), and Thong Xam (17). The research team also found 15 new records for the herpetofauna of HNN NPA. Remarkably, the specimen of Keelback snake collected in Nong Ma may represent a second specimen of Hebius andrea described by Ziegler & Le more than 10 years ago.

Similarity in species diversity of survey sites: Statistic analysis showed that herpetofauna of Thong Xam is similar to that of Nong Ping and the highest difference is between Thong Xam and Nong Ma.

3.2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NPA MANAGEMENT PLAN

Although the number of amphibians and reptiles in the Laotian side rapidly increase, further research is still needed because research efforts mainly focused on Hin Nam No NPA during a short period in comparison with efforts of a more than 10 years lasting study in PNKB NPA.

Priorities for conservation should be in the endemic species richest parts of Hin Nam No, such as Nong Ma. Of particular conservation importance are endemic species and species listed in IUCN & CITES Appendices (Table 4).

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ANNEX

ANNEX 1. LIST OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN THE KARST FOREST OF HNN NPA

Record in this study Remark No. Species name Common name Previous record Thong Xam Dou Nong Ping Nong Ma REPTILE REPTILES Sauria Lizards Agamidae Agamids Walston & Provide 1. Acanthosaura lepidogaster Scale-bellied Tree Lizard O O P O Vinton 1999 coordination Walston & 2. Calotes emma Forest Crested Lizard S - S - Vinton 1999 Walston & 3. Calotes versicolor Garden Fence Lizard - S - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 4. Draco maculatus Indochinese Flying Lizard - - - - Vinton 1999 Indochinese Water Walston & Provide 5. Physignathus cocincinus - - P - Dragon Vinton 1999 coordination Gekkonidae Geckos Calame’s Bent-toed 6. Cyrtodactylus calamei Luu et al. 2016 S - - - Gecko 7. Cyrtodactylus cryptus Hidden Bent-toed Gecko Luu et al. 2016 - - - S Darevsky’s Bent-toed 8. Cyrtodactylus darevskii - - S - New record Gecko Hinnamno Bent-toed 9. Cyrtodactylus hinnamnoensis Luu et al. 2016 - S S S Gecko Sommerlad’s Bent-toed 10. Cyrtodactylus sommerladi Luu et al. 2016 - S - S Gecko Common Four-clawed 11. Gehyra mutilata O O O O New record Gecko 12. Hemidactylus garnotii Indo-Pacific Gecko - S S - New record Walston & Provide 13. Gekko cf. reevesii Reeves’ Tokay Gecko V P V V Vinton 1999 coordination 14. Gekko scientiadventura Phongnhakebang Gecko S S S S New record

15. Hemidactylus frenatus Common House Gecko O O O O New record Scincidae Skinks Walston & 16. Eutropis longicaudatus Long-tailed Mabuya O - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 17. Eutropis macularia Bronze Mabuya - - S - Vinton 1999 Walston & 18. Eutropis multifasciatus Common Sun Skink - - - O Vinton 1999 Walston & 19. Scincella cf. rufocaudata Red-tailed Ground Skink - - - S Vinton 1999 Walston & 20. Sphenomorphus indicus Indian Forest Skink - - - S Vinton 1999 Walston & 21. Sphenomorphus maculatus Spotted Forest Skink S - - - Vinton 1999 Serpentes Snakes Xenopeltidae Sunbeam Snakes 22. Xenopeltis unicolor Common Sunbeam Snake - S - - New record Colubridae Colubrids New record 23. Ahaetula prasina Oriental Whip Snake - - - P Provide coordination Walston & New record, 24. Boiga cyanea Green Cat Snake P - - - Vinton 1999 HNN only Walston & 25. Chrysopelea ornata Golden Flying Snake - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 26. Dendrelaphis pictus Common Bronze-back - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 27. Dryocalamus davisonii Bridle Snake - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 28. Gonyosoma prasinum Khasi Rat Snake - - S - Vinton 1999 29. Hebius leucomystax White-lipped Keelback - - - S New record 30. Hebius sp. Keelback - - - S New record Walston & 31. Rhabdophis nigrocinctus Green Keelback P - - - HNN only Vinton 1999 Common Black-headed 32. Sibynophis collaris - S - - New record Snake Pareatidae 20

33. Pareas margaritophorus Mountain Slug Snake P New record Elapidae Kraits and Cobras Walston & 34. Bungarus candidus Blue Krait - - - S Vinton 1999 Homalopsidae Water snakes Walston & 35. Hypsiscopus plumbea Rice Paddy Snake - S - - Vinton 1999 Viperidae Vipers Protobothops Walston & 36. Chinese Habu - - - - mucrosquamatus Vinton 1999 Walston & 37. Trimeresurus cf. albolabris White-lipped Pitviper - P - - Vinton 1999 Trimeresurus cf. 38. Truongson Pitviper - S - S New record truongsonensis TESTUDINES TURTLES Geoemydidae Old World Pond Turtles Walston & 39. Cuora mouhotii Keeled Box Turtle - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 40. Cyclemys dentata Asian Leaf Turtle - - - - Vinton 1999 Yellow-headed Temple Walston & 41. Heosemys annamdalii - - - - Turtle Vinton 1999 Testudinidae Tortoises Walston & 42. Indotestudo elongata Elongated Tortoise - - - - Vinton 1999 Trionychidae Softshell Turtles Black-rayed Soft-shelled Walston & 43. Amyda cartilaginea - - - - Turtle Vinton 1999 Wattle-necked Softshell Walston & 44. Palea steindachneri - - - - Turtle Vinton 1999 AMPHIBIA AMPHIBIANS ANURA ANURAN Bufonidae Toads Walston & 45. Duttaphrynus melanostictus Black-spined Toad O P O O Vinton 1999 Walston & 46. Ingerophrynus galeatus Cambodian Toad - - - - Vinton 1999 21

Megophryidae Eyebow Frogs Walston & 47. Leptolalax minimus - - - P Vinton 1999 Microhylidae Narrow-mouthed Frogs Walston & 48. Kalophrynus interlineatus Northern Sticky Frog - - P - Vinton 1999 Walston & 49. Kaloula pulchra Asiatic Painted Frog - - - S Vinton 1999 Berdmore’s Narrow- Walston & 50. Microhyla bedmorei - O - S mouthed Frog Vinton 1999 Walston & 51. Microhyla fissipes Ornate Pigmy Frog - P - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 52. Microhyla heymonsi Black-flanked Pigmy Frog - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 53. Micryletta inornata Jewel Pigmy Frog - - S S Vinton 1999 Dicroglossidae True Frogs Walston & 54. Fejervarya limnocharis Rice Frog O P P P Vinton 1999 55. Hoplobatrachus rugulosus Common Lowland Frog O O S O New record Walston & 56. Limnonectes poilani Poilan’s Frog - - P O Vinton 1999 Walston & 57. Occydozyga martensii Martens’ Frog - - O O Vinton 1999 Ranidae Ranids Walston & 58. Hylarana erythraea - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 59. Hylarana nigrovittata Black-striped Frog S - P - Vinton 1999 Walston & 60. Hylarana taipehensis Taipei Frog - - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 61. Odorrana chloronota Green Cascade Frog P - - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 62. Rana johnsi Johns’ Frog - - - - Vinton 1999 Rhacophoridae Treefrogs 63. Gracixalus quyeti Quyet’s Treefrog Egert et al. 2017 - - - S 64. Kurixalus bisacculus Taylor's Treefrog Walston & - - - P 22

Vinton 1999 Walston & 65. Polypedates megacephalus Whipping Frog - P - - Vinton 1999 Walston & 66. Rhacophorus kio Black-webbed Treefrog - P - P Vinton 1999 67. Rhacophorus orlovi Orlov's Treefrog - - - S New record 68. Rhacophorus maximus Giant Treefrog Luu et al. 2014 - - - S 69. Rhacophorus spelaeus Treefrog S - S - New record Hill Garden Bug-eyed Walston & 70. Theloderma asperum - S - S Frog Vinton 1999 71. Theloderma corticale Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog - - - S New record Notes:  Reference sources: Walston & Vinton 1999, Luu et al. 2014, Luu et al. 2016, Egert et al. 2017  Data source: S = specimen, P = photograph, O = observation, V = call

ANNEX 2. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Date Activity Location 5 March Travel from Hanoi to Khammouane Khammouane 6 March Meeting with GIZ officers Thakhek Field surveys 7 March Travel from Thakhek to Thong Xam Village Thong Xam Preparation Paper work 8 March Survey in karst cliff near Thong Xam Village Thong Xam 9 March Survey in Pha Xong Thong Xam 10 March Survey in Mag Khua Khaiy Cave region Thong Xam 11 March Survey in Nam Ork Cave region Thong Xam 12 March Survey back from Nam Ork Cave to Thong Xam Village Thong Xam 13 March Survey in Nong Seng Cave Nong Seng 14 March Survey in Khan Day region Dou 15 March Survey in Ang San region Dou 16 March Group 1: Survey in Khem Kham La Dou Group 2. Survey in Ang San 17 March Survey in Ang San region Dou 18 March Survey back from Ang San to Dou Village Dou 19 March Group 1: Survey in Khuan Nong Dou and Group 2: Survey in Peo Ma Cave (Vang Khon Village) Vang Khon 20 March Group 1: Survey in Phou Khi Ka Dean Dou and Group 2: Survey in Cau Cave (Vang Khon Village) Vang Khon 21 March Group 1: Survey in Nong Bun Dou and Group 2: Survey in Pha Noc Village Pha Noc 22 March Group 1: Survey in Pha Tu Khong Dou and Group 2: Survey in Pha Noc Village Pha Noc 23 March Travel from Dou Village to Nong Ping Village Nong Ping 24 March Survey in Long Cave Nong Ping 25 March Survey in Pong Cave Nong Ping 26 March Survey in Nong Chong Cha Lou 27 March Survey in Tat Sa Ke Nong Ping 28 March Survey in Nam Khun Se Nua Koun Kha Yorm 29 March Interview in Nong Ping and Koun Kha Yorm villages Nong Ping and Koun Kha Yorm 30 March Travel from Koun Kha Yorm village to Nong Luang Koun Kha Yorm Survey in Nong Luang 31 March Travel from Nong Luang to Huoi Pa Say Cave Koun Kha Yorm Survey in Huoi Pa Say Cave region 1 April Travel from Huoi Pa Say to Huay Ka Lok Koun Kha Yorm Survey in Huay Ka Lok region 2 April Survey in Kon Tan region Koun Kha Yorm 3 April Working with specimens Bualapha Travel from Nong Ping to Bualapha 4 April Travel from Bualapha to Nong Ma Nong Ma 5 April Survey in Toi Cave region Nong Ma 6 April Survey in Ping region Nong Ma 7 April Survey in Ta Pai region Nong Ma 8 April Survey in Mua Ni region Nong Ma 9 April Travel back from Mua Ni to Nong Ma Village Nong Ma 10 April Meeting with GIZ officers Thakhek 11 April Travel from Khammouane to Vientiane Vientiane 12 April Paper work Vientiane Travel from Vientiane to Hanoi

ANNEX 3. GPS READINGS FOR SURVEY SITES IN HNN NPA Location Coordinate Elevation Village Pha Xong (CAMP1) 17°35.955’N, 105°49.980’E 253 m Thong Xam Nam Ork (CAMP2) 17°35.100’N, 105°50.213’E 223 m Thong Xam Khan Day (CAMP3) 17°26.558’N, 105°53.915’E 219 m Dou Khem Kham La (CAMP4) 17°25.364’N, 105°57.461’E 467 m Dou Kuan Nong (CAMP5) 17°29.898’N, 105°54.359’E 569 m Dou Phou Khi Ka Deuane (CAMP6) 17°29.974’N, 105°54.742’E 695 m Dou Nong Bun (CAMP7) 17°31.390’N, 105°53.142’E 571 m Dou Pha To Khong (CAMP8) 17°30.824’N, 105°52.837’E 598 m Dou Peo Ma Cave (Ranger station) 17°29.946’N, 105°43.857’E 207 m Vang Khon Long Cave (Nong Ping Village) 17°22.186’N, 105°49.506’E 184 m Nong Ping Pong Cave (CAMP9) 17°21.872’N, 105°54.366’E 224 m Nong Ping Nong Chong (CAMP10) 17°21.150’N, 105°56.043’E 325 m Nong Ping Tat Sa Kae (CAMP11) 17°22.320’N, 105°55.816’E 318 m Nong Ping Nong Luang (CAMP12) 17°24.442’N, 105°49.074’E 217 m Nong Ping Huay Ka Lok (CAMP13) 17°24.159’N, 105°51.194’E 391 m Nong Ping Kon Tan 17°23.164’N, 105°48.236’E 190 m Nong Ping Hang Toi region (CAMP14) 17°18.381’N, 106°08.180’E 561 m Nong Ma Mua Ni region (CAMP15) 17°19.394’N, 106°07.531’E 565 m Nong Ma Ta pai region (CAMP16) 17°20.086’N, 106°04.242’E 446 m Nong Ma

ANNEX 4. MAP OF SURVEY SITES IN HNN NPA

ANNEX 5. LIST OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS AND REPORTING CONTRIBUTORS No. Name Address 1. Dr. Vinh Quang Luu Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam 2. Eng. Ngoan Van Ha No. 35, lane 29/31, alley 274 Dinh Cong, Hoang Mai, Hanoi, Vietnam 3. Mr. Tung Thanh Nguyen Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam 4. Eng. Thanousone Homsisombath Natural Resources and Environment Department of Khammouane Province, Laos 5. Mr. Khieusomphone Vanhnabuaosy Hin Nam No NPA, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 6. Mr. Lamphone Thong Xam Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 7. Mr. Bua La Thong Xam Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 8. Mr. Eakham Dou Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 9. Mr. Teo Dou Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 10. Mr. Ta Dou Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 11. Mr. Sen Dou Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 12. Mr. E Nong Ping Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 13. Mr. Tho la kit Nong Ping Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 14. Mr. Yeng Kouan Kha Nhom Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 15. Mr. Keo Kouan Kha Nhom Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 16. Mr. Dinh Tam Nong Ma Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos 17. Mr. Khamphouk Nong Ma Village, Bualapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos

ANNEX 6. ILLUSTRATIONAL COLOR PLATES

A) Acanthosaura lepidogaster; B) Calotes emma; C) Calotes versicolor; D) Physignathus cocincinus; E) Cyrtodactylus calamei F) Cyrtodactylus cryptus. Photos: V. Q. Luu

A) Cyrtodactylus darevskii; B) Cyrtodactylus hinnamnoensis; C) Cyrtodactylus sommerladi; D) Gekko cf. reevesii; E) Gekko scientiadventura; F) Hemidactylus garnotii. Photos: V. Q. Luu

A) Eutropis macularia; B) Scincella cf. rufocaudata; C) Sphenomorphus indicus; D) Sphenomorphus maculatus; E) Xenopeltis unicolor; F) Ahaetula prasina. Photos: V. Q. Luu

A) Boiga cyanea; B) Gonyosoma prasinum; C) Hebius leucomystax; D) Hebius sp.; E) Rhabdophis nigrocinctus; F) Sibynophis collaris. Photos: V. Q. Luu & K. Vanhnabuaosy (E)

A) Pareas margaritophorus; B) Bungarus candidus; C) Hypsiscopus plumbea; D) Trimeresurus cf. albolabris; E) Trimeresurus cf. truongsonensis; F) Leptolalax minimus. Photos: V. Q. Luu & N. V. Ha (A)

A) Kalophrynus interlineatus; B) Kaloula pulchra; C) Microhyla bedmorei; D) Microhyla fissipes; E) Micryletta inornata; F) Fejervarya limnocharis. Photos: V. Q. Luu

A) Limnonectes poilani; B) Occydozyga martensii; C) Odorrana chloronota; D) Gracixalus quyeti; E) Kurixalus bisacculus; F) Polypedates megacephalus. Photos: V. Q. Luu

A) Rhacophorus kio; B) Rhacophorus orlovi; C) Rhacophorus maximus; D) Rhacophorus spelaeus; E) Theloderma asperum; F) Theloderma corticale. Photos: V. Q. Luu & N. V. Ha (A)

A) Karst habitat in Huay Ka Lok, Nong Ping; B) Mag Khua Khaiy Cave, Thong Xam; C) collecting bent-toed gecko in Thong Xam; D) Mr. Keo in night survey in Nong Luang region; E) Survey team in Thong Xam; F) Camping at Ang San, Dou Village. Photos: V. Q. Luu, K. Vanhnabuaosy (C) & N. V. Ha (E)