Dozens of New Geckos, Snakes, Frogs and Other Species Discovered

Photos of some of the 162 new wildlife species discovered by World Wildlife Fund in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia.

By Dan Shapley

Gecko

gecko, mekong new species, wwf cnemaspis-biocellata-gecko-l-grismer-lg.jpg This gecko (Cnemaspis biocellata) is endemic to the isolated karsts of the Nakawan Range spanning the Thai-Malaysian border. This species was one of the new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Tiger-striped pitviper

tiger-striped pitviper, mekong new species, wwf tiger-striped pitviper The tiger-striped pitviper (Cryptelytrops honsonensis) is endemic to Hon Son Island in Rach Gia Bay in the Kien Giang Province of southern Vietnam. This species was one of the new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Wild banana

mekong new species wild banana new species This wild banana (Musa rubinea) is known only to occur in the Nujiang watershed, Cangyan County in the western Chinese province of Yunnan on the border with Myanmar. This species was one of 100 new plants discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Rough-Coated Tree Frog

rough-coated tree frog, mekong new species, wwf rough-coated tree frog Rough-coated tree frog (Philautus quyeti) was discovered in Vietnam’s Truong Son mountain range. This is one of the new species discoveries found in the Greater Mekong region in 2008.

Cat Ba Leopard Gecko

cat ba leopard gecko, mekong new species, wwf cat ba leopard gecko The Cat Ba leopard gecko (Goniurosaurus catbaensis) is found exclusively in Cat Ba Island National Park in northern Vietnam. This species was one of the new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Khorat Big-Mouthed Frog

khorat big-mouthed frog, mekong new species, wwf khorat big-mouthed frog Khorat big-mouthed frog (Limnonectes megastomias) has only been found in three isolated and remote locations in a protected area in Thailand. The frog’s fangs protrude from its bottom jawbone and it is known to be an opportunistic eater, lying and waiting for prey in streams. The species is known to eat birds as feathers were found in its feces. This species was one of the new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Nonggang Babbler

mekong new species, Nonggang babbler, wwf new species babbler mekong The Nonggang babbler (Stachyris nonggangensis) was discovered in the karst rainforest of the Nonggang Natural Reserve, located in south Guangxi province of China near the Vietnamese border. This is the only new species of bird discovered in the Greater Mekong region in 2008.

khorat Big-Mouthed Frog

mekong new species new frog species mekong new species Khorat big-mouthed frog (Limnonectes megastomias) has only been found in three isolated and remote locations in a protected area in Thailand. The frog’s fangs protrude from its bottom jawbone and it is known to be an opportunistic eater, lying and waiting for prey in streams. The species is known to eat birds.

Oligodon deuvei

mekong new species, snake, wwf new snake species mekong new species This new snake (Oligodon deuvei) has so far been recorded in southern Vietnam and parts of Cambodia. This is one of 18 new reptiles discovered in the Greater Mekong region in 2008.

Wild Banana

mekong new species, wild banana, wwf wild banana new species This wild banana (Musa rubinea) is known only to occur in the Nujiang watershed, Cangyan County in the western Chinese province of Yunnan on the border with Myanmar. This species was one 100 new plant species discovered in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia during 2008.

Cat Ba Leopard Gecko

mekong new species, wwf, cat ba leopard gecko cat ba leopard gecko Another shot of the Cat Ba Leopard Gecko, one of 18 new species of reptiles discovered by WWF in the Mekong region.