Wild Mekong: New species in 2010 from the - WWF
Wild Mekong: New species in 2010 from the - WWF
Wild Mekong: New species in 2010 from the - WWF
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GREATER<br />
MEKONG<br />
REPORT<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and<br />
waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers
Written by Christian Thompson (<strong>the</strong> green room)<br />
www.greenroomenvironmental.com, with contributions <strong>from</strong><br />
Nick Cox, Kyle Hemes, Stuart Chapman, Sarah Bladen (<strong>WWF</strong>).<br />
Designed by Torva Thompson (<strong>the</strong> green room)<br />
Front cover photo: <strong>New</strong> monkey <strong>species</strong>, Rh<strong>in</strong>opi<strong>the</strong>cus strykeri ©<br />
Mart<strong>in</strong> Avel<strong>in</strong>g/Fauna & Flora International.<br />
Published <strong>in</strong> December 2011 by <strong>WWF</strong>-World Wide Fund For Nature<br />
(Formerly World <strong>Wild</strong>life Fund). Any reproduction <strong>in</strong> full or <strong>in</strong> part<br />
must mention <strong>the</strong> title and credit <strong>the</strong> above-mentioned publisher as<br />
<strong>the</strong> copyright owner.<br />
© Text 2011 <strong>WWF</strong><br />
All rights reserved<br />
<strong>WWF</strong> is one of <strong>the</strong> world’s largest and most experienced<br />
<strong>in</strong>dependent conservation organizations, with over<br />
5 million supporters and a global Network active <strong>in</strong><br />
more than 100 countries.<br />
<strong>WWF</strong>’s mission is to stop <strong>the</strong> degradation of <strong>the</strong> planet’s<br />
natural environment and to build a future <strong>in</strong> which humans live <strong>in</strong><br />
harmony with nature, by: conserv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> world’s biological<br />
diversity, ensur<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong> use of renewable natural resources is<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able, and promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> reduction of pollution and<br />
wasteful consumption.
208 SPECIES<br />
DISCOVERED IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
IN THE GREATER<br />
MEKONG<br />
EXECUTIVE<br />
SUMMARY<br />
© Mart<strong>in</strong> Avel<strong>in</strong>g/Fauna & Flora International<br />
A new monkey, a self-clon<strong>in</strong>g sk<strong>in</strong>k, five<br />
carnivorous plants, and a unique leaf warbler<br />
are among <strong>the</strong> 208 <strong>species</strong> newly described by<br />
science <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. In total 145 plants, 28 reptiles, 25 fish, 7<br />
amphibians, 2 mammals and 1 bird have been<br />
discovered <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> last year.<br />
This rate of discovery marks Asia’s land of rivers as one of <strong>the</strong> last frontiers for new<br />
<strong>species</strong> discoveries on our planet.<br />
The Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region of Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia through which <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong> river flows<br />
comprises <strong>the</strong> countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Ch<strong>in</strong>a<br />
(<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Yunnan prov<strong>in</strong>ce). The region is home to some of <strong>the</strong> planet’s most<br />
endangered and charismatic wild <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g tiger, Asian elephant, <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
dolph<strong>in</strong> and <strong>Mekong</strong> giant catfish, <strong>in</strong> addition to hundreds of newly discovered <strong>species</strong>.<br />
Between 1997 and 2009 an <strong>in</strong>credible 1,376 <strong>species</strong> were discovered by science across<br />
this region alone 1,2,3 .<br />
However, while <strong>the</strong>se discoveries highlight <strong>the</strong> unique biodiversity of <strong>the</strong> Greater<br />
<strong>Mekong</strong> <strong>the</strong>y also reveal <strong>the</strong> fragility of this region’s diverse <strong>species</strong> and habitats. The<br />
plight of <strong>the</strong> wild tiger, whose numbers have dropped by a dramatic 70 percent <strong>in</strong> a little<br />
over a decade, and <strong>the</strong> ext<strong>in</strong>ction of <strong>the</strong> Javan rh<strong>in</strong>o <strong>in</strong> Vietnam dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>2010</strong> are urgent<br />
rem<strong>in</strong>ders that biodiversity is still be<strong>in</strong>g lost at an alarm<strong>in</strong>g rate <strong>from</strong> man-made<br />
pressures.<br />
Rapid, unsusta<strong>in</strong>able development and climate change impacts are profoundly affect<strong>in</strong>g<br />
biodiversity and ecosystem services and consequently <strong>the</strong> millions of people who<br />
depend on <strong>the</strong>m. The Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region is warm<strong>in</strong>g and experienc<strong>in</strong>g more<br />
extreme floods, droughts and storms as a result of shift<strong>in</strong>g ra<strong>in</strong>fall patterns. These<br />
changes are exacerbat<strong>in</strong>g agricultural expansion and unsusta<strong>in</strong>able <strong>in</strong>frastructure<br />
pressures on natural ecosystems and <strong>the</strong> services <strong>the</strong>y provide.<br />
Today <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region is an <strong>in</strong>tegral part of one of <strong>the</strong> top five most<br />
threatened biodiversity hotspots <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world 4 .<br />
The central importance of <strong>the</strong> region’s shared natural resources cannot be overstated.<br />
The economic and social development of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> depends on <strong>the</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ued<br />
productivity of its <strong>in</strong>ter-connected ecological systems. Only <strong>in</strong>tact, healthy, and diverse<br />
natural ecosystems can provide <strong>the</strong> resilience to ensu<strong>in</strong>g climate change while ensur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued access to water, energy, food, commodities, and livelihoods for over 300<br />
million people.<br />
Sound regulatory frameworks implemented via harmonized policies across <strong>the</strong> Greater<br />
<strong>Mekong</strong> will help <strong>the</strong> region’s countries adequately address complex, challeng<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
regional-scale issues like habitat loss and fragmentation, unsusta<strong>in</strong>able natural resource<br />
use, and climate change. Address<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se challenges requires stronger regional<br />
collaboration at <strong>the</strong> broader, ecosystem scale; countries cannot effectively solve <strong>the</strong>se<br />
problems th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g only with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own borders. Regional collaboration needs high<br />
levels of political support. It also needs to be formalized through a regional agreement<br />
that is supported by an effective <strong>in</strong>stitutional framework mechanism. Only this can<br />
ensure future security for <strong>the</strong> millions of people that rely upon <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
system.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 1
Spectacular Khone Falls, Laos, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong> river ecoregion. Throughout its journey, <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Himalayas to <strong>the</strong> Delta, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong> river takes on many forms: active, extreme and truly epic.<br />
© <strong>WWF</strong>-Cambodia
NEW<br />
EXTRAORDINARY<br />
SPECIES OF THE<br />
MEKONG REGION<br />
‘ELVIS’<br />
MONKEY<br />
WITH<br />
NO NOSE<br />
(Rh<strong>in</strong>opi<strong>the</strong>cus strykeri)<br />
+ 2 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
TWO NEW MAMMAL<br />
SPECIES WERE DISCOVERED<br />
IN THE GREATER MEKONG<br />
IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
The Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region has yielded 145<br />
plants, 28 reptiles, 25 fish, 7 amphibians, 2<br />
mammals and 1 bird <strong>in</strong> just <strong>the</strong> last year. A<br />
closer look at <strong>the</strong> new discoveries reveal...<br />
‘The K<strong>in</strong>g’ is alive it seems. While this <strong>species</strong>, sport<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
Elvis-like hairstyle, is new to science 5 , <strong>the</strong> local people of<br />
Myanmar know it well. Scientists first learned of<br />
“Snubby” - as <strong>the</strong>y nicknamed <strong>the</strong> <strong>species</strong> - <strong>from</strong> hunters<br />
<strong>in</strong> Myanmar’s forested, remote, and mounta<strong>in</strong>ous<br />
(Himalayan) Kach<strong>in</strong> state <strong>in</strong> early <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Locals claim that <strong>the</strong> black and white monkey is very easy<br />
to f<strong>in</strong>d when it is ra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g because <strong>the</strong> monkeys often get<br />
ra<strong>in</strong>water <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir upturned noses caus<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m to sneeze.<br />
To avoid this evolutionary <strong>in</strong>convenience, snub-nosed<br />
monkeys spend ra<strong>in</strong>y days sitt<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>the</strong>ir heads tucked<br />
between <strong>the</strong>ir knees.<br />
Only recently encountered by a team of conservationists I , little is known about <strong>the</strong><br />
monkey’s behaviour <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wild, its distribution range, or its value to local communities.<br />
Not surpris<strong>in</strong>gly, this <strong>species</strong> is likely to be classified as critically endangered due to its<br />
restricted range and significant hunt<strong>in</strong>g pressures. The illustration below is <strong>the</strong> only<br />
representation of a scientifically observed specimen to this date.<br />
The <strong>species</strong> is one of two mammals discovered <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> past year.<br />
I Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF)<br />
4 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
© Mart<strong>in</strong> Avel<strong>in</strong>g/Fauna & Flora International
‘GHERKIN’<br />
FISH<br />
(Schistura udomritthiruji)<br />
+ 25 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
TWENTY-FIVE NEW FISH SPECIES<br />
WERE DISCOVERED IN THE<br />
GREATER MEKONG IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
A loach that looks like a<br />
gherk<strong>in</strong> was officially<br />
described <strong>in</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Thailand 6 . This particular<br />
new <strong>species</strong>, one of 25 new<br />
fish discoveries <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
is only known to be found<br />
<strong>in</strong> two clear gravel-bed<br />
streams flow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />
Andaman Sea between<br />
Takua Pa and Ranong.<br />
Discovered and described<br />
by loach experts Jörg<br />
Bohlen and Vendula<br />
Šlechtová, <strong>the</strong> new <strong>species</strong><br />
was named after Thai<br />
aquarist and fish exporter<br />
Kamphol Udomritthiruj.<br />
Based on <strong>the</strong> best available<br />
data, experts estimate that<br />
<strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region<br />
is a permanent home to<br />
about 850 freshwater<br />
fish II , with an approximate<br />
total of 1,100 <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> coastal and mar<strong>in</strong>e<br />
‘visitors’ (<strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> South<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a Sea that seasonally<br />
frequent <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong> river<br />
and its tributaries) 7 . This<br />
figure <strong>in</strong>cludes some of <strong>the</strong><br />
most amaz<strong>in</strong>g freshwater<br />
fish <strong>species</strong> found<br />
anywhere <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world<br />
today, such as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
giant catfish (that can<br />
reach up to 350kg, 3m <strong>in</strong><br />
length) and Giant<br />
freshwater st<strong>in</strong>gray (up<br />
to 600kg, 5m <strong>in</strong> length,<br />
with a 2.4m disc width).<br />
Over 300 new fish <strong>species</strong><br />
have been discovered <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> region s<strong>in</strong>ce 1997 - it<br />
is truly Asia’s land of<br />
rivers.<br />
The Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region is a permanent<br />
home to about 850 freshwater fish, with an<br />
approximate total of 1,100 <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
coastal and mar<strong>in</strong>e ‘visitors’ 7.<br />
II A total that <strong>in</strong>cludes some <strong>species</strong> that have yet to be officially described by scientists.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 5<br />
© Jörg Bohlen
SELF-CLONING<br />
LIZARD:<br />
NEW BUT NOT<br />
UNKNOWN<br />
(Leiolepis ngovantrii)<br />
+ 28 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
TWENTY-EIGHT NEW REPTILES<br />
WERE DISCOVERED IN THE<br />
GREATER MEKONG IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
A stagger<strong>in</strong>g array of reptile<br />
diversity was also newly<br />
discovered <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> - 28<br />
reptiles <strong>in</strong> total <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> newfound Leiolepis<br />
ngovantrii 8 - an all-female<br />
<strong>species</strong> that reproduces via<br />
clon<strong>in</strong>g, without <strong>the</strong> need<br />
for male lizards. Dr. Lee<br />
Grismer’s Vietnamese<br />
colleague Ngo Van Tri of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Vietnam Academy of<br />
Science and Technology<br />
found live lizards for sale <strong>in</strong><br />
a restaurant <strong>in</strong> Ba<br />
Ria-Vung Tau Prov<strong>in</strong>ce.<br />
Not<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong> reptiles all<br />
looked strangely similar,<br />
Ngo sent pictures to<br />
Grismer and his son Jesse<br />
Grismer, a herpetology<br />
doctoral student at <strong>the</strong><br />
University of Kansas.<br />
“In this part of sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Vietnam, restaurants have<br />
been serv<strong>in</strong>g this<br />
undescribed <strong>species</strong>, and<br />
we just stumbled across it”,<br />
said Dr. Lee Grismer.<br />
The team of experts<br />
suspected that <strong>the</strong>y may<br />
be look<strong>in</strong>g at an all-female<br />
<strong>species</strong>. Know<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong><br />
lizard likely belonged to <strong>the</strong><br />
Leiolepis genus, <strong>in</strong> which<br />
male and female lizards<br />
have dist<strong>in</strong>ct colour<br />
differences - no males could<br />
be identified. Scientists<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ed almost 70 of <strong>the</strong><br />
lizards - and all turned out<br />
to be females.<br />
The new-found reptile also<br />
had rows of enlarged scales<br />
on its arms as well as<br />
lamellae (bone layers)<br />
under its toes that set it<br />
6 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
apart <strong>from</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>species</strong>.<br />
The lizard’s home, <strong>the</strong> B<strong>in</strong>h<br />
Chau-Phuoc Buu Nature<br />
Reserve, sits between scrub<br />
woodland and coastal sand<br />
dunes.<br />
Be<strong>in</strong>g all female, <strong>the</strong> newly<br />
discovered <strong>species</strong> may<br />
already be at a<br />
disadvantage because of<br />
its lack of genetic diversity.<br />
Even though it doesn’t<br />
seem to be rare <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wild,<br />
low levels of genetic<br />
diversity could compromise<br />
<strong>the</strong> robustness of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>species</strong>, mak<strong>in</strong>g it less<br />
resilient to changes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
climate and habitat over<br />
time.<br />
© L. Lee Grismer
A “WOLF”<br />
SNAKE<br />
(Lycodon synaptor)<br />
Among <strong>the</strong> new reptile<br />
discoveries is <strong>the</strong> wolf<br />
snake, Lycodon synaptor 9<br />
or Boehme’s wolf snake,<br />
<strong>from</strong> Dongchuan, a<br />
mounta<strong>in</strong>ous region of<br />
Yunnan Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, Ch<strong>in</strong>a.<br />
The black snake with white<br />
bands is a member of <strong>the</strong><br />
Colubridae family, <strong>the</strong><br />
largest family of snakes<br />
classified by science. There<br />
are more than 40 <strong>species</strong><br />
of Asian wolf Snakes <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> genus Lycodon. Wolf<br />
snakes are so-called<br />
because of <strong>the</strong>ir large fangs<br />
<strong>in</strong> both jaws.<br />
Wolf snakes are often<br />
nocturnal 10 , can grow to<br />
lengths of about 50 cm (20<br />
<strong>in</strong>ches), and prey chiefly<br />
on frogs, geckos, and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
lizards.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 7<br />
© Zhang Liang, South Ch<strong>in</strong>a Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou, Ch<strong>in</strong>a
SPECTACULAR<br />
ORCHID FIND<br />
(Dendrobium daklakense)<br />
+ 145 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE<br />
NEW PLANTS WERE<br />
DISCOVERED IN THE<br />
GREATER MEKONG IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
145 plants were discovered<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong>. A beautiful orchid,<br />
with thick glossy white<br />
and orange flowers, was<br />
newly identified after be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
collected by a local plant<br />
hunter and handed to<br />
orchid experts at Kew<br />
Botanical Gardens <strong>in</strong><br />
London, England 11 . Known<br />
to locals as one of <strong>the</strong> most<br />
strik<strong>in</strong>g <strong>species</strong>, this orchid<br />
was first discovered <strong>in</strong> a<br />
remote area <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dak Lak<br />
prov<strong>in</strong>ce of Vietnam.<br />
Scientists are work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
toward track<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> actual<br />
orig<strong>in</strong> of this elegant<br />
<strong>species</strong> and its current<br />
conservation status.<br />
The forests of <strong>the</strong> Greater<br />
<strong>Mekong</strong> harbour a rich<br />
variety of flower<strong>in</strong>g plants.<br />
Orchids are <strong>the</strong> prime<br />
example of this plant<br />
diversity: 16 new orchid<br />
<strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater<br />
<strong>Mekong</strong> were officially<br />
described <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong>. These<br />
endemic III plants all have<br />
limited distributions,<br />
highlight<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
vulnerability to forest loss<br />
and habitat change.<br />
Scientists estimate that<br />
around 70 <strong>species</strong> of orchid<br />
that once existed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
forests of nearby<br />
Indonesia have become<br />
ext<strong>in</strong>ct because of illegal<br />
logg<strong>in</strong>g activity 12 .<br />
It is remarkable that such a dist<strong>in</strong>ct and<br />
showy <strong>species</strong> could have escaped detection<br />
until recently.<br />
Dr Andre Schuiteman,<br />
orchid expert at Kew Gardens, London,<br />
England.<br />
III Endemic refers to a <strong>species</strong> that is exclusively native to a specific place and found nowhere else. For<br />
example, <strong>the</strong> kiwi is a bird endemic to <strong>New</strong> Zealand.<br />
8 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
© Duong Toan
LIMESTONE<br />
LEAF-<br />
WARBLER<br />
DISCOVERED<br />
IN LAOS<br />
(Phylloscopus calciatilis)<br />
+ 1 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
ONE NEW BIRD SPECIES<br />
WAS DISCOVERED IN THE<br />
GREATER MEKONG IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
In January <strong>2010</strong>, a small,<br />
dist<strong>in</strong>ctive bird liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> rocky forests of <strong>the</strong><br />
Annamite mounta<strong>in</strong> range<br />
<strong>in</strong> Laos and Vietnam was<br />
described for <strong>the</strong> first time.<br />
Named <strong>the</strong> “limestone leaf<br />
warbler” because it breeds<br />
<strong>in</strong> Laos’ limestone karst<br />
environments - a region<br />
known for unusual<br />
wildlife 13 - it is similar to<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r warblers <strong>in</strong> this area<br />
of Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia, except<br />
for its dist<strong>in</strong>ct<br />
vocalizations and slight<br />
morphological differences.<br />
The t<strong>in</strong>y bird is greenisholive<br />
with a yellow breast<br />
and striped crown. It has<br />
a loud and unique call,<br />
which is what first alerted<br />
<strong>the</strong> researchers that <strong>the</strong><br />
bird may be new to<br />
science.<br />
Scientists presume <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are many limestone leaf<br />
warblers <strong>in</strong> this region, but<br />
its habitat isn’t without<br />
threats. Many parts of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>species</strong>’ native forests have<br />
been cleared as a result of<br />
wood collection. NGOs are<br />
cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g to work with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Lao Government <strong>in</strong> an<br />
effort to reduce <strong>the</strong> threats<br />
to wildlife <strong>in</strong> this region.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 9<br />
© Ulf Johansson/Swedish Museum of Natural History
PSYCHEDELIC<br />
GECKO<br />
(Cnemaspis psychedelica)<br />
<strong>WWF</strong> treats<br />
priority <strong>species</strong> as<br />
“ecologically, economically and<br />
culturally important<br />
<strong>species</strong>”. We are<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g to ensure such <strong>species</strong><br />
can live and thrive <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir natural<br />
habitats.<br />
A new psychedelic gecko<br />
<strong>species</strong> was discovered this<br />
past year on Hon Khoai<br />
Island, Ca Mau Prov<strong>in</strong>ce,<br />
Ngoc Hien District, 18 km<br />
off <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn tip of <strong>the</strong><br />
Ca Mu Pen<strong>in</strong>sula <strong>in</strong><br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn Vietnam 14 .<br />
The new <strong>species</strong> is unique<br />
<strong>in</strong> that it displays a<br />
remarkable psychedelic<br />
pattern of bright orange<br />
appendages; a dense,<br />
yellow neck overly<strong>in</strong>g thick,<br />
black, l<strong>in</strong>es; and a blue-gray<br />
body bear<strong>in</strong>g yellow bars on<br />
its bright-orange sides. It<br />
also differs <strong>from</strong> all o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>species</strong> of Cnemaspis <strong>in</strong><br />
size.<br />
Cnemaspis psychedelica is<br />
<strong>the</strong> third endemic <strong>species</strong> of<br />
Cnemaspis <strong>from</strong> Vietnam<br />
and br<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>the</strong> total number<br />
of <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> Vietnam to six.<br />
Its occurrence on one of<br />
92 islands <strong>in</strong> Rach Gia Bay<br />
highlights <strong>the</strong> necessity for<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r surveys of <strong>the</strong>se<br />
little known islands<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to scientists, who<br />
are just beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to reveal<br />
<strong>the</strong> surpris<strong>in</strong>g degree of<br />
endemism and diversity <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> area. This fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
emphasises that <strong>the</strong> full<br />
extent of <strong>the</strong> Greater<br />
<strong>Mekong</strong>’s biological<br />
diversity rema<strong>in</strong>s unknown<br />
to science.<br />
10 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
Cnemaspis psychedelica is<br />
known only <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> t<strong>in</strong>y<br />
(roughly 8 km 2 ) Hon Khoai<br />
Island. The island reaches<br />
approximately 320m at its<br />
highest po<strong>in</strong>t, with thick<br />
forest cover slop<strong>in</strong>g gently<br />
down to a mangrove-l<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
coast. Scattered across <strong>the</strong><br />
lowlands of <strong>the</strong> island are<br />
small to massive boulders<br />
that provide <strong>the</strong> habitat for<br />
Cnemaspis psychedelica.<br />
Some 75 <strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Cnemaspis are now found<br />
across Asia.<br />
© L. Lee Grismer
FIVE SPECIES<br />
OF<br />
CARNIVOROUS<br />
PITCHER<br />
PLANT<br />
The new plant discoveries<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region cover an<br />
eclectic mix of <strong>species</strong>,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g 16 orchids, 9<br />
palms, 8 <strong>species</strong> of g<strong>in</strong>ger,<br />
7 <strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> rose<br />
family, 4 members of <strong>the</strong><br />
coffee family, 4 nettles,<br />
2 <strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> beech<br />
family, 1 fern and<br />
numerous o<strong>the</strong>r flower<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plants.<br />
Perhaps <strong>the</strong> most<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g are <strong>the</strong> five<br />
<strong>species</strong> of pitcher plants<br />
discovered. Four are <strong>from</strong><br />
Thailand and one was<br />
found <strong>in</strong> Cambodia.<br />
As carnivorous plants,<br />
pitchers eat pretty much<br />
anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
entice <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
cavernous bellies. Some<br />
<strong>species</strong> of Nepen<strong>the</strong>s can<br />
grow to a maximum height<br />
of 100 cm with v<strong>in</strong>es<br />
exceed<strong>in</strong>g 25 cm high.<br />
Botanical experts say that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y can actually lure <strong>in</strong><br />
and consume small rats,<br />
mice, lizards and even<br />
birds.<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s andamana is<br />
<strong>from</strong> Phang Nga Prov<strong>in</strong>ce,<br />
Thailand 15 , where it grows<br />
at sea level <strong>in</strong> coastal<br />
savannah and grassland<br />
habitats. Nepen<strong>the</strong>s chang<br />
is <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> Banthad<br />
Mounta<strong>in</strong>s of central<br />
Thailand 16 , where it grows<br />
at elevations of 300–600m<br />
above sea level.<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s andamana<br />
© Marcello Catalano<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s holdenii is<br />
known to exist on two<br />
peaks <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cardamom<br />
Mounta<strong>in</strong>s of western<br />
Cambodia 17 , where it<br />
grows at elevations of<br />
600–800 m above sea<br />
level. Nepen<strong>the</strong>s kerrii was<br />
found <strong>in</strong> Tarutao National<br />
Mar<strong>in</strong>e Park <strong>in</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Thailand 18 , at elevations<br />
of 400–500 m above sea<br />
level. Nepen<strong>the</strong>s suratensis<br />
was discovered <strong>in</strong> Surat<br />
Thani Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, Thailand 19 ,<br />
where it grows at sea level<br />
<strong>in</strong> coastal savannah and<br />
grassland habitats. All<br />
are endemic with limited<br />
distributions.<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s holdenii<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 11<br />
© François Mey
NEW FROG<br />
SPECIES<br />
(Amolops akhaorum)<br />
+ 7 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
SEVEN NEW AMPHIBIAN<br />
SPECIES WERE DISCOVERED<br />
IN THE GREATER MEKONG<br />
IN <strong>2010</strong><br />
Seven new frog <strong>species</strong><br />
<strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
region were discovered <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong>, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g three <strong>from</strong><br />
Laos, three <strong>from</strong> Vietnam<br />
and one <strong>from</strong> Thailand. The<br />
<strong>species</strong> Amolops<br />
akhaorum was found <strong>in</strong><br />
Luang Namtha Prov<strong>in</strong>ce,<br />
Nam Ha National Protected<br />
Area, northwestern Laos 20 .<br />
The new discoveries are<br />
particularly welcome as<br />
amphibians worldwide are<br />
<strong>in</strong> decl<strong>in</strong>e. A few years ago<br />
more than 500 concerned<br />
scientists <strong>from</strong> over 60<br />
nations contributed to <strong>the</strong><br />
Global Amphibian<br />
Assessment. They analysed<br />
<strong>the</strong> distribution and<br />
conservation status of all<br />
5,743 known amphibian<br />
<strong>species</strong> at <strong>the</strong> time.<br />
Amphibians <strong>in</strong>clude frogs<br />
and toads, salamanders,<br />
and caecilians.<br />
Amphibians are widely<br />
regarded as “canaries <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> coal m<strong>in</strong>e,” s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
highly permeable sk<strong>in</strong> is<br />
more immediately sensitive<br />
to changes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
environment, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
changes to freshwater and<br />
air quality. “Amphibians<br />
are one of nature’s best<br />
<strong>in</strong>dicators of overall<br />
environmental health,” said<br />
Russell A. Mittermeier,<br />
president of Conservation<br />
International. “Their catastrophic<br />
decl<strong>in</strong>e serves as<br />
a warn<strong>in</strong>g that we are <strong>in</strong> a<br />
period of significant<br />
environmental<br />
degradation.”<br />
IV At <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> assessment, 427 <strong>species</strong> were considered Critically Endangered (CR), 761 were<br />
Endangered (EN), and 668 were Vulnerable (VU).<br />
12 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> IUCN Red<br />
List of Threatened Species,<br />
at least 1,856 amphibian<br />
<strong>species</strong> are threatened with<br />
ext<strong>in</strong>ction IV , represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
32 percent of all amphibian<br />
<strong>species</strong>. By comparison,<br />
only 12 percent of all bird<br />
<strong>species</strong> and 23 percent of<br />
all mammal <strong>species</strong> are<br />
threatened.<br />
At least n<strong>in</strong>e <strong>species</strong> of<br />
amphibian have gone<br />
ext<strong>in</strong>ct s<strong>in</strong>ce 1980, when<br />
<strong>the</strong> most dramatic decl<strong>in</strong>es<br />
began. Ano<strong>the</strong>r 113 <strong>species</strong><br />
have not been reported <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> wild <strong>in</strong> recent years,<br />
and are considered possibly<br />
ext<strong>in</strong>ct.<br />
© Bryan Stuart
VIBRANTLY-<br />
SPOTTED<br />
NEWT<br />
SPECIES<br />
(Tylototriton notialis)<br />
A new <strong>species</strong> of newt<br />
was discovered <strong>in</strong> Laos <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong> 21 . The new <strong>species</strong> is<br />
particularly significant as it<br />
represents <strong>the</strong> first record<br />
of a <strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> genus<br />
Tylototriton <strong>from</strong> Laos,<br />
and is <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rnmost<br />
known member of <strong>the</strong><br />
Tylototriton asperrimus<br />
group <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. The<br />
Lat<strong>in</strong> name for <strong>the</strong> <strong>species</strong>,<br />
notialis mean<strong>in</strong>g<br />
“sou<strong>the</strong>rn”, refers to this.<br />
The genus also occurs <strong>in</strong><br />
adjacent parts of Thailand,<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a, and Vietnam.<br />
The new <strong>species</strong> was<br />
discovered <strong>in</strong> Khammouan<br />
Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, Laos, Nakai-Nam<br />
Theun National Protected<br />
Area, Nam On river<br />
catchment.<br />
Dist<strong>in</strong>ct rib nodules and<br />
unique vibrant orange<br />
dots dist<strong>in</strong>guish Laos’<br />
population of <strong>the</strong> newly<br />
discovered <strong>species</strong> <strong>from</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r members of <strong>the</strong> T.<br />
asperrimus group. The<br />
<strong>species</strong> is known only <strong>from</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> location at which it was<br />
discovered.<br />
Scientists fear that over-<br />
harvest<strong>in</strong>g for traditional<br />
medic<strong>in</strong>e and <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational pet trade may<br />
put <strong>the</strong> <strong>species</strong> at<br />
heightened risk 22 . The<br />
formal description of o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Asian salamandrids <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
past (Laotrian laoensis;<br />
Stuart and Papenfuss<br />
2002) has <strong>in</strong>advertently<br />
led to exploitation for <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational pet trade 23 .<br />
Hopefully <strong>the</strong> Theun<br />
National Protected Area,<br />
one of Laos’ largest and<br />
best-funded national<br />
protected areas 24 , will<br />
afford this endemic <strong>species</strong><br />
some protection.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 13<br />
© Bryan Stuart<br />
© Adam Cathro
GREATER MEKONG,<br />
GREAT FUTURE?<br />
A REGION HANGING<br />
IN THE BALANCE<br />
The <strong>Mekong</strong> is at a crossroads. Governments<br />
can decide whe<strong>the</strong>r to follow <strong>the</strong> current path<br />
towards a brown economy or take an alternative<br />
path towards greener, more susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
economic development.<br />
The central importance of <strong>the</strong> region’s shared natural<br />
resources cannot be overstated. The economic and social<br />
development of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region depends on <strong>the</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ued productivity of its <strong>in</strong>ter-connected ecological<br />
systems. Only <strong>in</strong>tact, healthy, and diverse natural<br />
ecosystems can provide resilience to ensu<strong>in</strong>g climate<br />
change while ensur<strong>in</strong>g cont<strong>in</strong>ued access to water, energy,<br />
food, commodities and livelihoods for over 300 million<br />
people.<br />
One important step <strong>the</strong> governments of <strong>the</strong> region can take is to transition <strong>in</strong>to a “green<br />
economy”. The concept of a green economy is a fundamentally new model for susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
development that takes <strong>in</strong>to account <strong>the</strong> global economic benefits of biodiversity more<br />
than ever before. It represents a major economic transformation 25 and a paradigm shift <strong>in</strong><br />
how we th<strong>in</strong>k about susta<strong>in</strong>able economic development.<br />
It is already happen<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region, but not fast enough. Governments<br />
must step up <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong>to green sectors, create <strong>the</strong> necessary national regulatory<br />
frameworks, and implement <strong>the</strong>se via policies across <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>. Only this can<br />
allow <strong>the</strong> region’s countries to address complex, regional-scale issues like habitat loss and<br />
fragmentation, unsusta<strong>in</strong>able natural resource use, and climate change.<br />
Address<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se challenges requires stronger regional collaboration at <strong>the</strong> broader,<br />
ecosystem scale; countries cannot effectively solve <strong>the</strong>se problems th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g only with<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own borders. Regional collaboration needs high levels of political support. It also<br />
needs to be formalized through a regional agreement that is supported by <strong>in</strong>tegrated,<br />
effective policy. Such an agreement should seek to br<strong>in</strong>g countries closer toge<strong>the</strong>r around<br />
a common vision for conservation and susta<strong>in</strong>able use of biodiversity and natural<br />
resources. It should seek to achieve a balance between conserv<strong>in</strong>g what is unquestionably<br />
some of <strong>the</strong> world’s most important biodiversity and ensur<strong>in</strong>g that natural resources are<br />
used susta<strong>in</strong>ably to support economic development.<br />
<strong>WWF</strong> is actively <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> help<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> countries of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> region progress<br />
towards a green economy, one that values ecosystems and <strong>the</strong> services <strong>the</strong>y provide to <strong>the</strong><br />
millions of people <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region. Through approaches such as susta<strong>in</strong>able hydropower,<br />
landscape and <strong>species</strong> conservation, climate change adaptation, and susta<strong>in</strong>able f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
mechanisms, <strong>WWF</strong> will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to develop and support programmes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region that<br />
help secure a brighter future for <strong>the</strong> region’s biodiversity, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g its rich array of<br />
<strong>species</strong> – those that we already know, and those still wait<strong>in</strong>g to be discovered.<br />
14 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers
Cleared forest <strong>in</strong> ĐaKrông district, Quang Tri prov<strong>in</strong>ce, Vietnam.<br />
Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a key threat<br />
to <strong>the</strong> rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 15<br />
© <strong>WWF</strong> Vietnam
The mighty <strong>Mekong</strong> river flow<strong>in</strong>g through flooded forest <strong>in</strong> Cambodia.<br />
© Gordon Congdon
APPENDIX<br />
At a glance, by country...<br />
Cambodia 7<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a 53<br />
(Yunnan)<br />
Laos 13<br />
Myanmar 29<br />
Thailand 61<br />
Vietnam 59<br />
Note: The sum of <strong>the</strong> above figures<br />
does not equal <strong>the</strong> total number of<br />
new <strong>species</strong> discovered, as some<br />
<strong>species</strong> have a distribution<br />
spann<strong>in</strong>g more than one country.<br />
PLANTS<br />
Greater <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
new <strong>species</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Acer pseudowilsonii Chen Thailand<br />
Aconitum j<strong>in</strong>-muratae Kadota & Nob.Tanaka Myanmar<br />
Adiantum membranifolium L<strong>in</strong>ds. & Suksathan Thailand<br />
Alocasia jiewhoei V.D.Nguyen Cambodia<br />
Anoectochilus malipoensis Chen & Shui Yunnan<br />
Areca songthanhensis Hend., Ban & Thanh Vietnam<br />
Argostemma victorianum Nob.Tanaka Myanmar<br />
Arisaema brucei Li, Li & Murata Yunnan<br />
Arisaema l<strong>in</strong>earifolium Gusman & Y<strong>in</strong> Yunnan<br />
Arisaema qu<strong>in</strong>quelobatum Li & Murata Yunnan<br />
Arisaema rubrirhizomatum Li & Murata Yunnan<br />
Arund<strong>in</strong>ella kokutensis Teerawat. & Sungkaew Thailand<br />
Begonia kach<strong>in</strong>ensis Nob.Tanaka Myanmar<br />
Begonia pteridiformis Phutthai Thailand<br />
Begonia vietnamensis Nguyen & Peng Vietnam<br />
Boehmeria leptostachya Friis & Wilmot-Dear Thailand/Yunnan<br />
Boehmeria listeri Friis & Wilmot-Dear Myanmar<br />
Brachycorythis neglecta Pedersen Thailand<br />
Breynia carnosa Welzen & Pruesapan Thailand<br />
Breynia lithophila Welzen & Pruesapan Thailand<br />
Breynia repens Welzen & Pruesapan Thailand<br />
Calamus parvulus Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Calamus seriatus Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Calamus yentuensis Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Camellia luteocerata Orel Vietnam<br />
Camellia maiana Orel Vietnam<br />
Canscora bidoupensis Hul Vietnam<br />
Castanopsis j<strong>in</strong>p<strong>in</strong>gensis Li & Chen Yunnan<br />
Caulokaempferia chayaniana Tiyaw. Thailand<br />
Ceratopteris oblongiloba Masuyama & Watano Thailand/Cambodia<br />
Chimonocalamus peregr<strong>in</strong>us Yi & Ma Vietnam<br />
Chirita auriculata Li & Zhu Yunnan<br />
Chroniochilus s<strong>in</strong>icus Chen & Liu Yunnan<br />
Clematis pseudopterantha Kadota & Nob.Tanaka Myanmar<br />
Coelogyne alboaurantia Elis.George & George Thailand<br />
Cremanthodium latilobum Chen Yunnan<br />
Croton fluviatilis Esser Thailand<br />
Cryptocoryne loeiensis Bastm., Idei & Jacobsen Thailand<br />
Cryptocoryne mekongensis Idei, Bastm. & Jacobsen Laos<br />
Curcuma pambrosima Škorničk. & Lý Vietnam<br />
Curcuma vitell<strong>in</strong>a Škorničk. & Tran Vietnam<br />
Daemonorops brevicaulis Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Daemonorops ocreata Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Damrongia cyanantha Triboun Thailand<br />
Dendrobium daklakense Tich, Schuit. & Verm. Vietnam<br />
Dendrobium koyamae Nob.Tanaka, Yukawa & Murata Myanmar<br />
Dendrobium roseiodorum Sathap., Yukawa & Seelanan Vietnam<br />
Doritis natmataungensis Yukawa, Nob.Tanaka & Murata Myanmar<br />
Elatostema fun<strong>in</strong>gense Wang Yunnan<br />
Epirixan<strong>the</strong>s compressa Pendry Thailand<br />
Exacum darae Hul Thailand/Cambodia<br />
Galium kunm<strong>in</strong>gense Ehrend. Yunnan<br />
Galium rupifragum Ehrend. Yunnan<br />
Gentiana spathulisepala Ho & Liu Yunnan<br />
Globba ranongensis Picheans. & Tiyaw. Thailand<br />
Habenaria calcicola Aver. Vietnam<br />
Hedychium longipetalum Hu & Liu Yunnan<br />
Hedychium menghaiense Hu & Liu Yunnan<br />
Heterostemma xuansonense Tran & Kim Vietnam<br />
Hoya rotundiflora Rodda & Simonsson Myanmar<br />
Impatiens oblongipetala Liu & Cong Yunnan<br />
Kaempferia lopburiensis Picheans. Thailand<br />
Larsenianthus wardianus Kress, Thet Htun & Bordelon Myanmar<br />
18 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Licuala dakrongensis Hend., Ban & Thanh Vietnam<br />
Ligularia qiaojiaensis Chen & Dong Yunnan<br />
Liparis guangxiensis Feng & J<strong>in</strong> Yunnan<br />
Litostigma crystall<strong>in</strong>um Shui & Chen Yunnan<br />
Manglietia sapaensis Xia & Vu Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus blaoensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus cucphuongensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus kbangensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus pacoensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus truongsonensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Melocalamus yenbaiensis Nguyen & Tran Vietnam<br />
Microtropis daweishanensis L<strong>in</strong> & Zhang Yunnan<br />
Microtropis longicarpa L<strong>in</strong> & Zhang Yunnan<br />
Miscanthus villosus Liu & Peng Yunnan<br />
Mnesi<strong>the</strong>a thailandica Traiperm & Boonkerd Thailand<br />
Mucuna hirtipetala Wilmot-Dear & Sha Yunnan<br />
Mucuna <strong>in</strong>curvata Wilmot-Dear & Sha Yunnan<br />
Muhlenbergia fasciculata Phan Myanmar<br />
Mycetia basiflora Puff Thailand<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s andamana Catal. Thailand<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s chang Catal. Thailand<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s holdenii Mey Cambodia<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s kerrii Catal. & Kruetr. Thailand<br />
Nepen<strong>the</strong>s suratensis Catal. Thailand<br />
Nervilia gracilis Aver. Vietnam<br />
Orchidantha stercorea Tran & Škorničk Vietnam<br />
Ostryopsis <strong>in</strong>termedia Tian & Liu Yunnan<br />
Paphiopedilum canhii Aver. & Gruss Vietnam<br />
Pedicularis obliquigaleata Yu & Wang Yunnan<br />
Peristylus phuwuanensis Kurzweil Thailand<br />
Peristylus rigidus Kurzweil Thailand<br />
Petrocosmea bicolor Middleton & Triboun Thailand<br />
Petrocosmea pubescens Middleton & Triboun Thailand<br />
Petrocosmea shil<strong>in</strong>ensis Shui & Zhao Yunnan<br />
Phaius hekouensis Tsukaya, Nakaj. & Wu Yunnan<br />
Phyllagathis nanakorniana Wangwasit, Norsaengsri Thailand<br />
& Cell<strong>in</strong>.<br />
P<strong>in</strong>alia shiuy<strong>in</strong>giana Ormerod & Wood Myanmar<br />
P<strong>in</strong>anga nuichuensis Hend., Ban & Thanh Vietnam<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us anemophila Bus<strong>in</strong>ský Laos<br />
Platostoma tridechii Suddee Thailand<br />
Plectocomiopsis songthanhensis Hend. & Dung Vietnam<br />
Primula nghialoensis Rank<strong>in</strong> Vietnam<br />
Pseuduvaria fragrans Su, Chaowasku Thailand<br />
& Saunders<br />
Pseuduvaria gardneri Su, Chaowasku Thailand<br />
& Saunders Thailand<br />
Raphiocarpus maguanensis Shui & Chen Yunnan<br />
Rhododendron trancongii Argent & Rushforth Vietnam<br />
Rubia pseudogalium Ehrend. Yunnan<br />
Schefflera poomae Esser & Jebb Thailand<br />
Schizostachyum n<strong>in</strong>hthuanense Xia, Tran & Nguyen Vietnam<br />
Schizostachyum yalyense Xia, Tran & Nguyen Vietnam<br />
Siliquamomum oreodoxa Lý & Škorničk. Vietnam<br />
Sorbus burtonsmithiorum Rushforth Myanmar/Yunnan<br />
Sorbus guanii Rushforth Yunnan<br />
Sorbus hudsonii Rushforth Yunnan<br />
Sorbus spongbergii Rushforth Yunnan<br />
Sorbus yondeensis Rushforth Yunnan<br />
Stemona <strong>in</strong>voluta Inthachub Thailand<br />
Stemona rupestris Inthachub Thailand<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s atroviridis Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s fengiana Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s ovata Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s rostrata Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s spiciformis Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s taoana Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Strobilan<strong>the</strong>s wangiana Deng & Wood Yunnan<br />
Swertia lihengiana Ho & Liu Yunnan<br />
Thalictrum tamurae Kadota & Nob.Tanaka Myanmar<br />
Trigonostemon tuberculatus Du & He Yunnan<br />
Tupistra kressii Tanaka Thailand<br />
Tupistra laotica Tanaka Laos<br />
Tupistra malaiana Tanaka Thailand<br />
Tupistra urceolata Tanaka & Kress Thailand<br />
Typhonium neogracile Murata Myanmar<br />
Typhonium praecox Murata Myanmar<br />
Typhonium vermiforme Nguyen & Croat Vietnam<br />
Utricularia <strong>in</strong>thanonensis Suksathan & Parn. Thailand<br />
Utricularia phusoidaoensis Suksathan & Parn. Thailand<br />
Utricularia sp<strong>in</strong>omarg<strong>in</strong>ata Suksathan & Parn. Thailand<br />
Vitis yunnanensis Li Yunnan<br />
Wrightia karaketii Middleton Thailand<br />
Wrightia poomae Middleton Thailand<br />
Wrightia tokiae Middleton Thailand<br />
Subtotal: 145<br />
FISH<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Chaudhuria ritvae Britz Myanmar<br />
Garra bisangularis Chen, Wu and Xiao Yunnan<br />
Glyptothorax obliquimaculatus Jiang, Chen and Yang Yunnan<br />
Grammonus m<strong>in</strong>utus Nielsen and Prokofiev Vietnam<br />
Gymnothorax emmae Prokofiev Vietnam<br />
Lepidocephalichthys alkaia Havird and Page Laos, Myanmar, Thailand<br />
and Vietnam<br />
Lepidocephalichthys kranos Havird and Page Thailand, Laos, Vietnam<br />
and Myanmar<br />
Macrognathus aureus Britz Myanmar<br />
Macrognathus dorsiocellatus Britz Myanmar<br />
Macrognathus l<strong>in</strong>eatomaculatus Britz Myanmar<br />
Macrognathus obscurus Britz Myanmar<br />
Macrognathus pavo Britz Myanmar<br />
Oryzias songkhramensis Magtoon Laos/Thailand<br />
Pangio longimanus Britz and Kottelat, Laos<br />
Paracobitis nanpanjiangensis M<strong>in</strong>, Chen and Yang Yunnan<br />
Parapercis bicoloripes Prokofiev Vietnam<br />
Psilorhynchus brachyrhynchus Conway and Britz Myanmar<br />
Psilorhynchus gokkyi Conway and Britz Myanmar<br />
Psilorhynchus melissa Conway and Kottelat Myanmar<br />
Psilorhynchus pavimentatus Conway and Kottelat Myanmar<br />
Psilorhynchus piperatus Conway and Britz Myanmar<br />
Schistura udomritthiruji Bohlen and Slechtová Thailand<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ogastromyzon lixianjiangensis Liu, Chen and Yang Yunnan<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ogastromyzon macrostoma Liu, Chen and Yang Yunnan<br />
Triplophysa jianchuanensis Zheng, Du, Chen & Yang Yunnan<br />
Subtotal: 25<br />
AMPHIBIANS<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Amolops akhaorum Stuart, Ba<strong>in</strong>, Phimmachak, Laos<br />
& Spence<br />
Leptolalax aereus Rowley, Stuart, Richards, Laos<br />
Phimmachak & Sivongxay<br />
Leptolalax croceus Rowley, Huy , Duong , V<strong>in</strong>h Vietnam<br />
& Trung<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 19
AMPHIBIANS<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Limnonectes jaruj<strong>in</strong>i Matsui, Panha, Khonsue Thailand<br />
& Kuraishi<br />
Rhacophorus vampyrus Rowley, Duong, Tran, Dao, Stuart Vietnam<br />
& Huy<br />
Tylototriton notialis Stuart, Phimmachak, Sivongxay Laos<br />
& Robichaud<br />
Vietnamaptera bogiessa Zhang, Bai, Heiss & Cai Vietnam<br />
Subtotal: 7<br />
REPTILES<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Acanthosaura cardamomensis Wood, Grismer, Grismer, Neang, Cambodia/<br />
Chav & Holden Thailand<br />
Calamaria concolor Orlov, Truong, Tao, Ananjeva Vietnam<br />
& Cuc<br />
Cnemaspis chanardi Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis huaseesom Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis kamolnorranathi Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis laoensis Grismer Laos<br />
Cnemaspis narathiwatensis Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis neangthyi Grismer, Grismer & Chav Cambodia<br />
Cnemaspis niyomwanae Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Cambodia/<br />
Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis psychedelica Grismer, Ngo & Grismer Vietnam<br />
Cnemaspis punctatonuchalis Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cnemaspis vandeventeri Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Thailand<br />
Wood, Pauwels & Kunya<br />
Cyrtodactylus auribalteatus Sumontha, Panitvong & Dee<strong>in</strong> Thailand<br />
Cyrtodactylus bichnganae Tri & Grismer Vietnam<br />
Cyrtodactylus dumnuii Bauer, Kunya, Sumontha, Niyomwan, Thailand<br />
Pauwels, Chanhome & Kunya<br />
Cyrtodactylus phuquocensis Tri, Grismer & Grismer Vietnam<br />
Cyrtodactylus roesleri Ziegler, Nazarov, Orlov, Nguyen, Vu, Vietnam<br />
Dang, D<strong>in</strong>h & Schmitz<br />
Cyrtodactylus wayakonei Nguyen, K<strong>in</strong>gsada, Rösler, Auer Laos<br />
& Ziegler<br />
Cyrtodactylus yangbayensis Tri & Onn Vietnam<br />
Gekko canhi Rösler, Nguyen, Van Doan, Ho, Vietnam<br />
Nguyen & Ziegler<br />
Gekko lauhach<strong>in</strong>dai Panitvong, Sumontha, Konlek Thailand<br />
& Kunya<br />
Gekko takouensis Ngo & Gamble Vietnam<br />
Gekko vietnamensis Sang Vietnam<br />
Leiolepis ngovantrii Grismer & Grismer Vietnam<br />
Lycodon synaptor Vogel & David Yunnan<br />
Pseudocalotes ziegleri Hallermann, Truong, Orlov Vietnam<br />
& Ananjeva<br />
Sc<strong>in</strong>cella apraefrontalis Nguyen, Nguyen, Böhme & Ziegler Vietnam<br />
Tropidophorus boehmei Nguyen, Nguyen, Schmitz, Orlov Vietnam<br />
& Ziegler<br />
Subtotal: 28<br />
BIRDS<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Phylloscopus calciatilis Alström, Davidson, Duckworth, Laos/<br />
Eames, Le, Nguyen, Olsson, Vietnam<br />
Robson, Timm<strong>in</strong>s<br />
Subtotal: 1<br />
MAMMALS<br />
Species Scientist(s) Location<br />
Crocidura phanluongi Jenk<strong>in</strong>s, Abramov, Rozhnov Vietnam<br />
& Olsson<br />
Rh<strong>in</strong>opi<strong>the</strong>cus strykeri Geissmann, Lw<strong>in</strong>, Aung, Aung, Myanmar<br />
Aung, Hla, Gr<strong>in</strong>dley, Momberg<br />
Subtotal: 2<br />
20 <strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers<br />
GRAND TOTAL: 208
REFERENCES<br />
1 <strong>WWF</strong>. 2008. FIRST CONTACT IN THE GREATER MEKONG. <strong>WWF</strong> GREATER MEKONG PROGRAMME, LAO PDR.<br />
2 <strong>WWF</strong>. 2009. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: GREATER MEKONG NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES. <strong>WWF</strong> GREATER MEKONG PROGRAMME, LAO PDR.<br />
3 <strong>WWF</strong>. <strong>2010</strong>. NEW BLOOD: GREATER MEKONG NEW SPECIES DISCOVERIES 2009. <strong>WWF</strong> GREATER MEKONG PROGRAMME, LAO PDR.<br />
4 TORDOFF ET AL. 2007. ECOSYSTEM PROFILE: INDO-BURMA BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT INDOCHINA REGION. FINAL VERSION MAY 2007.<br />
USA: CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP FUND, CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL.<br />
5 GEISSMANN ET AL. <strong>2010</strong>. A NEW SPECIES OF SNUB-NOSED MONKEY, GENUS RHINOPITHECUS MILNE-EDWARDS, 1872 (PRIMATES,<br />
COLOBINAE), FROM NORTHERN KACHIN STATE, NORTHEASTERN MYANMAR. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY.<br />
6 BOHLEN, J AND V ŠLECHTOVá. 2009. SCHISTURA UDOMRITTHIRJUI, A NEW LOACH FROM SOUTHERN THAILAND (CYPRINIFORMES:<br />
NEMACHEILIDAE). ICHTHYOLOGICAL ExPLORATION OF FRESHWATERS 20, PP. 319–324. [PAPER RECEIVED 20 JANUARY 2009; REVISED<br />
4 NOVEMBER 2009; ACCEPTED 5 JANUARY <strong>2010</strong>].<br />
7 FISHES OF THE MEKONG – HOW MANY SPECIES ARE THERE? CATCH AND CULTURE. VOLUME 15, NO.2, AUGUST 2009.<br />
8 JESSE L. GRISMER & L. LEE GRISMER. <strong>2010</strong>. WHO’S YOUR MOMMY? IDENTIFYING MATERNAL ANCESTORS OF ASExUAL SPECIES OF<br />
LEIOLEPIS CUVIER, 1829 AND THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ENDEMIC SPECIES OF ASExUAL LEIOLEPIS CUVIER, 1829 FROM SOUTHERN<br />
VIETNAM. ZOOTAxA 2433: 47–61.<br />
9 VOGEL, GERNOT & PATRICK DAVID. <strong>2010</strong>. A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS LYCODON (BOIE, 1826) FROM YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA<br />
(SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE). BONN ZOOL. BULL. 57 (2): 289–296.<br />
10 WOLF SNAKE. 2011. IN ENCYCLOPæDIA BRITANNICA. RETRIEVED FROM HTTP://WWW.BRITANNICA.COM/EBCHECKED/TOP-<br />
IC/646525/WOLF-SNAKE<br />
11 AMAZING DISCOVERIES FROM KEW’S ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS. ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW. ACCESSED 5 SEPTEMBER 2011.<br />
12 ANTARA (INDONESIA). 2006. INDONESIA BELIEVED TO HAVE LOST 70 ORCHID SPECIES. 1 APRIL.<br />
13 ZHOU FANG AND JIANG AIWU. 2008. A NEW SPECIES OF BABBLER (TIMALIIDAE: STACHYRIS) FROM THE SINO-VIETNAMESE BORDER<br />
REGION OF CHINA. THE AUK 125(2): 420–424.<br />
14 L. LEE GRISMER, NGO VAN TRI & JESSE L. GRISMER. <strong>2010</strong>. A COLORFUL NEW SPECIES OF INSULAR ROCK GECKO (CNEMASPIS<br />
STRAUCH 1887) FROM SOUTHERN VIETNAM. ZOOTAxA 2352: 46–58.<br />
15 CATALANO, M. <strong>2010</strong>. NEPENTHES ANDAMANA M. CATAL. SP. NOV. IN: NEPENTHES DELLA THAILANDIA. PRAGUE. P. 34.<br />
16 CATALANO, M. <strong>2010</strong>. NEPENTHES CHANG M. CATAL. SP. NOV. IN: NEPENTHES DELLA THAILANDIA. PRAGUE. P. 38.<br />
17 MEY ET AL. <strong>2010</strong>. NEPENTHES HOLDENII (NEPENTHACEAE), A NEW SPECIES OF PYROPHYTIC PITCHER PLANT FROM THE<br />
CARDAMOM MOUNTAINS OF CAMBODIA. IN: S.R. MCPHERSON CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS. VOLUME 2. REDFERN<br />
NATURAL HISTORY PRODUCTIONS, POOLE. PP. 1306–1331.<br />
18 CATALANO, M. <strong>2010</strong>. NEPENTHES KERRII M. CATAL. ET T. KRUETR. SP. NOV. IN: NEPENTHES DELLA THAILANDIA. PRAGUE. P. 32.<br />
19 CATALANO, M. <strong>2010</strong>. NEPENTHES SURATENSIS M. CATAL. SP. NOV. IN: NEPENTHES DELLA THAILANDIA. PRAGUE. P. 36.<br />
20 STUART ET AL. <strong>2010</strong>. PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS OF THE AMOLOPS MONTICOLA GROUP (AMPHIBIA: RANIDAE), WITH<br />
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM NORTHWESTERN LAOS. HERPETOLOGICA, VOL. 66, N. 1, P. 52-66.<br />
21 STUART ET AL. <strong>2010</strong>. A NEW SPECIES IN THE TYLOTOTRITON ASPERRIMUS GROUP (CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM CENTRAL<br />
LAOS. ZOOTAxA 2650: 19–32.<br />
22 ROWLEY ET AL. <strong>2010</strong>. IMPENDING CONSERVATION CRISIS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMPHIBIANS. BIOLOGY LETTERS, 6, 336–338.<br />
23 STUART ET AL. 2006. SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION CAN IMPERIL SPECIES. SCIENCE, 312, 1137.<br />
24 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION AUTHORITY (WMPA). 2005. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT<br />
FRAMEWORK AND 1ST OPERATIONAL PLAN. NAM THEUN 2. WMPA, VIENTIANE, LAOS.<br />
25 UNEP. 2011. TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY: PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ERADICATION.<br />
<strong>Wild</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong>: <strong>New</strong> <strong>species</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> forests, wetlands and waters of <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, Asia’s land of rivers 21
Greater <strong>Mekong</strong> <strong>in</strong> numbers<br />
208<br />
new <strong>species</strong> discovered <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong>, add<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> 1,345<br />
newly identified s<strong>in</strong>ce 1997<br />
300 million<br />
people depend on healthy<br />
natural systems such as<br />
rivers, forests and<br />
wetlands for <strong>the</strong>ir food<br />
security, livelihoods and<br />
customs<br />
Today <strong>the</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong><br />
region is an <strong>in</strong>tegral part of one<br />
of <strong>the</strong> top five most threatened<br />
biodiversity hotspots <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world<br />
850<br />
freshwater fish <strong>species</strong><br />
live <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mekong</strong> and<br />
its tributaries<br />
© 1986 Panda symbol <strong>WWF</strong> – World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World <strong>Wild</strong>life Fund)<br />
® “<strong>WWF</strong>” is a <strong>WWF</strong> Registered Trademark.<br />
<strong>WWF</strong> Greater <strong>Mekong</strong>, D13 Thang Long International Village Cau Giay District, PO Box 151, Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Tel: +84 4 3719 3049 Fax: +84 4 3719 3102<br />
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RECYCLED