Hiding on jagged karst pinnacles:A new microendemic genus and species of a limestone-dwelling agamid lizard(Squamata:Agamidae:Draconinae)from Khammouan Province,Laos

We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101 mm)specifically adapted to life on limestone rocks and pinnacles.To assess the phylogenetic position of the new genus amongst other agamids,we generated DNA sequences from two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and ND2)and three nuclear loci(BDNF,RAG1 and c-mos),with a final alignment comprising 7418 base pairs for 64 agamid species.Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new genus in the mainland Asia subfamily Draconinae,where it forms a clade sister to the genus Diploderma from East Asia and the northern part of Southeast Asia.Morphologically,the new genus is distinguished from all other genera in Draconinae by possessing a notably swollen tail base with enlarged scales on its dorsal and ventral surfaces.Our work provides further evidence that limestone regions of Indochina represent unique“arks of biodiversity”and harbor numerous relict lineages.To date,Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is known from only two adult male specimens and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone massif on the border of Khammouan and Bolikhamxai provinces of Laos.Additional studies are required to understand its life history,distribution,and conservation status.

A new species of Micryletta (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from southern Thailand

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species,Micryletta dissimulans sp.nov.,from the lowland forests of southern Thailand,which is described based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters:small body size (20.3-22.4 mm in males,24.4-26.7 mm in females);slender body habitus.

Mountain jade: A new high-elevation microendemic species of the genus Zhangixalus(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)from Laos

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species, Zhangixalus melanoleucus sp.nov., from Phou Samsoum Mountain(PSM) in Xiengkhouang Province, northeastern Laos, based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic lines of evidence. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following diagnostic characters: medium body size(SVL 34.4–36.3 mm in males, 53.7 mm in a single female);dorsum smooth and green;chest and belly lacking spots;flanks, axillae, ventral surfaces of forearms, inguinal.

A new species of Micryletta(Amphibia:Anura:Microhylidae)from the Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam

We report a new species of the genus Micryletta from the montane evergreen forest in the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park,Lam Dong Province,Langbian Plateau,southern Vietnam,based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is diagnosed by a combination of the following morphological characters:body size small(snout-vent length(SVL)22.4 mm,single female);iris uniform black;snout nearly truncate in dorsal view,slightly rounded in profile;tibiotarsal articulation of adpressed limb reaching level of eye;dorsal surface smooth;supratympanic fold present,prominent;outer metatarsal tubercle absent;tips of toes very weakly dilated into small discs;finger webbing absent,toe webbing rudimentary;dorsal surfaces of head and body orange-red with small irregularly shaped dark-brown patches;dorsal surface of limbs pale dark brown with small reddish speckles;body flanks dark brown anteriorly fading to grayish brown posteriorly with brown spots in groin area;lateral sides of head immaculate blackish brown without white patches;coloration of ventral surfaces immaculate dark gray.