[Paleontology • 2012] Mamenchisauridae indet. • First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand

Mamenchisaurid posterior cervical vertebra from Phu Dan Ma, Kalasin Province, Thailand, Phu Kradung Formation, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. vertebra (SM KS26-4), right rib (SM KS26-2) and left rib (SM KS26-3)

An isolated posterior cervical vertebra of a sauropod discovered at Phu Dan Ma (Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand) is the first informative postcranial specimen from the Phu Kradung Formation, a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous continental unit. The vertebra is referred to the family Mamenchisauridae, otherwise mainly known from China. In addition, spatulate teeth from the same formation and a mid-dorsal vertebra from the Late Jurassic Khlong Min Formation of southern Thailand are reassigned to this family. The occurrence of mamenchisaurids in the earliest Cretaceous of Thailand supports a hypothesis of geographical isolation of Central, Eastern and Southeast Asia during the Late Jurassic. It also suggests that the main changes in their dinosaur assemblages occurred during the Early Cretaceous, rather than at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary.

Key words: Dinosauria, Mamenchisauridae, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Thailand.

Fig. 1. Sauropod distribution in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous of the Kalasin-Mukdahan region, northeastern Thailand. The formations are shown in shaded tones. A, Phu Dan Ma (KS26) in Kuchi Narai District, Kalasin Province; B, Dan Luang (MD3) in Khamcha-i District, Mukdahan Province. Both localities lie in the Jurassic-Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation (J/Kpk); C, distribution of main groups of vertebrates in the non-marine formations of Thailand (figure courtesy of Lionel Cavin, Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva).

First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand: http://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app20090155.html

Suteethorn, S., Le Loeuff, J., Buffetaut, E., Suteethorn, V., and Wongko, K. 201X. First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 5X (X): xxx-xxx.
10 DOI: 10.4202/app.2009.0155 
http://app.pan.pl/archive/published/app58/app20090155.pdf

[Paleontology • 2011] ราชสีมาซอรัส สุรนารีเอ • Ratchasimasaurus suranareae • A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand

Here we report a new iguanodontian dentary found from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand. A unique character, which is an elongated and flat shape of the dentary ramus, makes it possible to assign the specimen to the new genus of non-hadrosaurid iguanodontian, Ratchasimasaurus suranareae gen. et sp. nov. R. suranareae shows both primitive and derived characters, such as a caudally inclined coronoid process and alveolar trough with a primitive crown impression, and a derived buccal shelf between tooth row and coronoid process. The discovery of a new iguanodontian from the Indochina Terrene, considering that the previously reported “Probactrosaurus-like” iguanodontian, points out a great diversity of this group in the late Early Cretaceous in Thailand, and corresponds to the Asian iguanodontian diversity at that time.

http://www.encyklopedia.dinozaury.com/index.php/Ratchasimasaurus

Masateru Shibata, Pratueng Jintasakul, and Yoichi Azuma. 2011. A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand. Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition 85 (5): 969 – 976. DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2011.00230.x

[Paleontology • 2011] สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami • new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand

สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami

• new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand

Abstract

A new taxon of ornithopod dinosaur is described as Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., on the basis of a well-preserved maxilla from the Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. An isolated tooth and a braincase are referred to this taxon, and the status of other ornithopod specimens from Thailand and Laos is discussed. S. nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep. is considered as an advanced iguanodontian, apparently close to Probactrosaurus, from which it differs by various characters of the maxilla. Siamodon is an addition to the already long list of advanced iguanodontian taxa from the late Early Cretaceous of Asia. The diversity and abundance of these forms may suggest that advanced iguanodontians first appeared in Asia, before spreading to other parts of the world.

Keywords: Ornithopoda; Iguanodontia; Early Cretaceous; Aptian; Thailand; New taxon

Fig. 1. Holotype of Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., left maxilla, PRC-4, Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian), Ban Saphan Hin (Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand). A. Lateral view. B. Medial view. C. Dorsal view. Scale bar: 50 mm.

Eric Buffetaut and Varavudh Suteethorn. 2011. A new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. Annales de Paléontologie. 97 (1-2): 51-62. doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2011.08.001.

http://encyklopedia.dinozaury.com/index.php/Siamodon

[Palaeontology • 2011] Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis • First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar)

MFI-K171, holotype mandible of Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis n. sp.

Abstract 

For over a century, a Neogene fossil mammal fauna has been known in the Irrawaddy Formation in central Myanmar. Unfortunately, the lack of accurately located fossiliferous sites and the absence of hominoid fossils have impeded paleontological studies. Here we describe the first hominoid found in Myanmar together with a Hipparion (s.l.) associated mammal fauna from Irrawaddy Formation deposits dated between 10.4 and 8.8 Ma by biochronology and magnetostratigraphy. This hominoid documents a new species of Khoratpithecus, increasing thereby the Miocene diversity of southern Asian hominoids. The composition of the associated fauna as well as stable isotope data on Hipparion (s.l.) indicate that it inhabited an evergreen forest in a C3-plant environment. Our results enlighten that late Miocene hominoids were more regionally diversified than other large mammals, pointing towards regionally-bounded evolution of the representatives of this group in Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy Formation, with its extensive outcrops and long temporal range, has a great potential for improving our knowledge of hominoid evolution in Asia.

Systematic Paleontology Superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825, Family Hominidae Gray 1825, Subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913, Genus Khoratpithecus Chaimanee et al. 2004, Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov

Holotype. Left hemi-mandible with P3-M2 (MFI-K171, collection of the Paleontology Section of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), Bangkok – 10400, Rama VI Road, Thailand).

Figure 1. Location of the Khoratpithecus-bearing localities of Thailand and Myanmar.

J.-J. Jaeger, A. N. Soe, O. Chavasseau, P. Coster, E.-G. Emonet, F. Guy, R. Lebrun, A. A. Maung, H. Shwe, S. T. Tun, K. L. Oo, M. Rugbumrung, H. Bocherens, M. Benammi, K. Chaivanich, P. Tafforeau, and Y. Chaimanee. 2011. First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar). PLoS ONE 6 (4): 1–14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017065.

[Palaeontology • 2004] โคราชพิเธคัส พิริยะอิ 'เอปโคราช' | Khoratpithecus piriyai • A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand

The fossil record of the living great apes is poor. New fossils from undocumented areas, particularly the equatorial forested habitats of extant hominoids, are therefore crucial for understanding their origins and evolution. Two main competing hypotheses have been proposed for orang-utan origins: dental similarities support an origin from Lufengpithecus, a South Chinese and Thai Middle Miocene hominoid; facial and palatal similarities support an origin from Sivapithecus, a Miocene hominoid from the Siwaliks of Indo-Pakistan. However, materials other than teeth and faces do not support these hypotheses. Here we describe the lower jaw of a new hominoid from the Late Miocene of Thailand, Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov., which shares unique derived characters with orang-utans and supports a hypothesis of closer relationships with orang-utans than other known Miocene hominoids. It can therefore be considered as the closest known relative of orang-utans. Ancestors of this great ape were therefore evolving in Thailand under tropical conditions similar to those of today, in contrast with Southern China and Pakistan, where temperate or more seasonal climates appeared during the Late Miocene.

Systematics. Order Primates Linnaeus 1758; suborder Anthropoidea Mivart 1864; superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825; family Hominidae Gray 1825; subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913; Khoratpithecus gen. nov.

Type species. Khoratpithecus piriyai sp. nov.

Referred species. cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis Chaimanee et al. 2003, Middle Miocene of Thailand.

Etymology. Khoratpithecus means ape from Khorat.

FIGURE 1. Mandible of Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov. holotype (RIN 765).

Y. Chaimanee, V. Suteethorn, P. Jintasakul, C. Vidthayanon, B. Marandat and J.-J. Jaeger. 2004. A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand. Nature. 427 (6973): 439–441. doi:10.1038/nature02245.

[Palaeontology • 2003] Khoratpithecus (originally 'cf. Lufengpithecus' ) chiangmuanensis • A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins

Figure 3: cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis n. sp.

Figure: Khoratpithecus chiangmuanensis. A: Isolated teeth discovered onthe site of Chiang Muan, Thailand. The top two rows are male teeth, the lowertwo rows are female teeth. B: 3D analysis by X-ray synchrotron microtomographyof a second lower molar from a male. From left to right: 3D reconstruction, virtualvertical cut, and quantitative distribution map of enamel. The scale bars represent 1 cm.

Fossil teeth hint at orang-utan origins: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2823245.stm

http://wwwcsi.unian.it/educa/inglese/sis05024.html

Y. Chaimanee, D. Jolly, Benammi, M., Tafforeau, P., Duzer, D., Moussa, I. and J.-J. Jaeger. 2003. A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins. Nature 422 (6927): 61–65. doi:10.1038/nature01449.

[Palaeontology • 2010] Tarsius sirindhornae • A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method

Tarsius sirindhornae lived during the Middle Miocene in northern Thailand.

The new species— named Tarsius sirindhornae — lived about 13 million years ago. Based on the fossil jaws, the whole animal would have weighed up to 6 ounces (180 grams), making it the largest known tarsier, said study leader Yaowalak Chaimanee, a geologist with Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources.

Chaimanee, Y., Lebrun, R., Yamee, C., and Jaeger, J.-J. 2010. A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: –. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2062.

ซากฟอสซิลลิงชนิดใหม่ของโลก อายุ 13 ล้านปี: http://chm.forest.go.th/th/?p=1232

New Species Found: Thai Fossils Reveal Ancient Primate http://on.natgeo.com/g8yARJ

http://rhamphotheca.tumblr.com/post/12545617219/thai-fossils-reveal-ancient-tarsier-by-rachel

[Palaeontology] Tarsius eocaenus • Primitive Primate from middle Eocene of China

Tarsius eocaenus is known from the Middle Eocene in China.

http://site.sinodino.cc/_Primate/p06.htm

[Herpetology • 2011] Jarujinia: New Genus | จิ้งเหลนสองขาอาจารย์จารุจินต์ | Jarujinia bipedalis • A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand

Jarujinia bipedalis | จิ้งเหลนสองขาอาจารย์จารุจินต์

http://siamensis.org/species_index#35098

Abstract

 A new species of Lygosomine skink (Jarujinia bipedalis sp. nov.) from Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province in Central Thailand is described and assigned to a new monotypic genus (Jarujinia). This bipedal skink with only forearms possessing two clawless vestigial fingers appears morphologically to be an evolutionary link between the Lygosomine genera of Larutia and Isopachys, but clearly distinct from both.

Key words: new genus, new species, Jarujinia, Lygosomine.

Jarujinia bipedalis  Chan-ard, Makchai & Cota 2011

Holotype. - THNHM 15410

Type locality: Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, elevation ca. 600 m

Distribution: Thailand (Western mountain range in Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, ca. 150 km west-southwest of Bangkok)

Diagnosis: The only scincine genus (and species) in which a single species has only forelimbs with two clawless vestigial fingers and in which the hind-limbs are completely absent.

Etymology.- The genus is named for Dr. Jarujin Nabhitabhata (1950-2008), first Director of the Thailand Natural History Museum, to whom we owe much professional and personal gratitude. The species is named for its character of only possessing a pair of forelimbs: two legs are present, but the hind-limbs are absent.

Chan-ard, Tanya; Sunchai Makchai and Michael Cota. 2011. Jarujinia: A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand, with a Description of One New Species. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal .5 (1): 17-24

http://siamensis.org/species_index#35098

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia nubisilvicola | จิ้งเหลนป่าเมฆ -เขานัน • A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Peninsular Thailand

Abstract

During an expedition to study the biodiversity of the cloud forest of the Upper Khao Nan Mountain Range of Nakhon Si Thammarat in April 2007, a Larutia sp. was found. This proved to be morphologically distinct from any other known species of Larutia and is now described as Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov.

Key words: Reptilia, Lepidosauria, Squamata, Lacertilia, Sauria, Scincomorpha, Scincidae, Larutia, Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov., Southeast Asia, Thailand, taxonomy.

Holotype: THNHM 11799 female.

Paratypes: THNHM 11797 female, THNHM 11798 male, THNHM 11800 female; collected by T. Chan-ard, M. Cota, S. Makchai & S. Lhaoteaw on 20 April 2007. 

Diagnosis: A small species of Larutia. Mid-body scale row is 24. Possesses 4 supraoculars, 6 supralabials and 5 infralabials. The first infralabial is separate from, but appears as an extension of the mental. The postmental contacts the first and second infralabials as well as the first pair of chin shields. A single gular scale is present between the second pair of chin shields.

Etymology: Larutia nubisilvicola is named as an inhabitant of the cloud forest, where it is found. 

Larutia nubisilvicola 

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

Chan-ard, T., M. Cota, S. Mekchai and S. Lhaoteaw. 2011. A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) Found in Peninsular Thailand. Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 5 (1): 57–65.

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia penangensis | Penang Legless Skink • Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus

Abstract

A new species of the scincid genus Larutia, L. penangensis sp. nov., from Pulau Pinang, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from all other congeners by having the unique characteristics of the complete absence of limbs, four supralabials, large body scales, and no banding or striping pattern. Additionally, it has the following unique combination of characters that further separates it from all congeners: a single presubocular; separated nasals; paired frontoparietals; small, widely separated prefrontals; no supranasals or postnasal; two postsupralabials; and large, posterior chinshields that contact the infralabials. A molecular phylogeny based on one mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from all species of Larutia from Peninsular Malaysia indicates L. penangensis sp. nov. is most basal and that L. seribuatensis is the sister lineage to a clade containing L. miodactyla and the sister species L. trifasciata and L. larutensis. Consistencies and inconsistencies between this phylogeny and a previously proposed morphological phylogeny are discussed.

Key words: Larutia, Larutia penangensis, Malaysia, new species, Penang, Pulau Pinang, Scincidae, taxonomy, phylogeny

GRISMER, L. LEE; EVAN QUAH SENG HUAT, CAMERON D. SILER, CHAN, K. O., PERRY L. WOOD,JR., JESSE 2011. Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus. Zootaxa. 2799: 29–40

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02799p040f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2003] Larutia seribuatensis & L. puehensis • Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships

Top: Holotype of Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088

Bottom: (left)  Nuchal bands  of  Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088  and (right) L. trifasciata BM 3853.  First nuchal band of L. seribuatensis makes contact with the posterior edge of the eye. 

Abstract

Two  new species  of  Larutia are described, one  from Pulau Tulai, located  38  km off the southeast coast of Pahang, West Malaysia, in the Seribuat Archipelago and another from Gunung Berumput in the Pueh Mountains of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The Pulau Tulai species differs from all others in having a pair of light yellow dorsolateral stripes, light yellow markings on the head, small maximum snout-vent length (115 mm), and characteristics of nuchal banding. The Gunung Berumput species differs from all others in having radiating nuchal markings. Both  represent new  island records (Pulau Tulai and Borneo) and, based  on morphology, are members of different monophyletic species groups within Larutia. 

Key words:  Borneo; Gunung Berumput; Larutia; Malaysia; New species; Phylogeny; puehensis; Seribuat 

Archipelago; seribuatensis

Larutia seribuatensis  sp. nov. 

Suggested common name.- Two-lined  two-toed skink. 

Holotype.- ZRC  2.5088,  adult male (Figs. 2, 3) from Pulau Tulai (2? 95'  N,  104.17? W), Pahang, West  Malaysia; collected  by  J.  L. Grismer on 13 July 2001.

Larutia puehensis  sp. nov. 

Suggested common name.- Berumput  two-toed skink. 

Holotype.- BM  1927 8.11  2,  adult female (Figs. 6, 7) from Gunung Berumput (10 70' N, 1090  75'  E),  Pueh Mountains, Sarawak, East Malaysia; collector  and  date  of  collection unknown (C.  McCarthy, personal communication).

Fic.  1.- The  distribution of the species of Larutia. L = L. larutensis, T =  L. trifasciata, M =  L. miodactyla, S = L.  sumatrensis,  P  =  L.  puehensis,  and  Sr  =  L. seribuatensis.

Grismer, J.L., Leong, T.M. and Yaakob, N.S. 2003. Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships. Herpetologica. 59(4): 552-564. http://jstor.org/stable/3893647

[Herpetology • 2012] Lygosoma veunsaiensis • A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia

Abstract 

We describe a new species of the genus Lygosoma from northeastern Cambodia based on a single voucher specimen collected from Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Veun Sai District, Ratanakiri Province. Lygosoma veunsaiensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all congeners occurring in mainland Southeast Asia by the combination of the following characters:  outer ear opening absent; supranasals distinct and separated from each other by frontonasal; supranasals not fused with  nasals; midbody scales in 22 rows; fontoparietals paired; five supralabials; a light stripe present on outer edge of the dorsum; and a dark dorsolateral stripe present, from behind the eye to the tail. A key to the Southeast Asian mainland species of Lygoma is provided.

Key words: taxonomy, L. veunsaiensis sp. nov., Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Ratanakiri Province, Indochina

PETER GEISSLER (Germany), TIMO HARTMANN (Germany) & THY NEANG (Combodia).

2012. A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia 

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/list/2012/3190.html

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03190p068f.pdf

Iridescent Lizard Discovered in Northeastern Cambodia http://blog.conservation.org/2012/02/iridescent-lizard-discovered-in-northeastern-cambodia/

http://lg-media.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-iridescent-lizard-species-found-in.html

[Herpetology • 2011] A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key

Lygosoma angeli, L. haroldyoungi & L. corpulentum

Abstract

We review the supple skinks (Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827) known to occur in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). Here, the existence of seven species is documented: L. angeli, L. boehmei, L. bowringii, L. corpulentum, L. haroldyoungi, L. isodactylum (type of Squamicilia Mittleman, 1952), and L. quadrupes (type of Lygosoma). Based on morphological characters, L. carinatum Darevsky & Orlova, 1996 is shown to be a synonym of L. corpulentum. Although L. bowringii is expected to turn out as a complex of cryptic species when molecular methods are applied to a broad sampling, Indochinese representatives form a homogenous group based on morphology. Two further Lygosoma listed by Bourret (2009), viz. L. albopunctatum and L. punctatum (generotype of Riopa Gray, 1839) are distributed further west and probably fail to reach the Indochinese realm. We also provide natural history notes and an identification key for the seven species currently recognized from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Key words: Scincidae; Lygosoma; Indochina; Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam; taxonomy; natural history

Lygosoma angeli

A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key. Biologia, 66(6). 1159-1176, doi: 10.2478/s11756-011-0130-2  via http://academia.edu/

http://www.vncreatures.net/e_news_2.php

[Herpetology • 2007] Lygosoma boehmei • A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position

Lygosoma boehmei

Abstract

 A new Lygosoma species is described from the Central Truong Son (Annamite mountain range) of Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. The description is based on a single female specimen, collected during the dry season in the karst forest of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The new Lygosoma differs from any other congener by the dorsal scales with pseudokeels in combination with a pair of frontoparietals; a scaly lower eyelid; seven supralabials; seven infralabials; 32 midbody scale rows; 66 middorsal (paravertebral) scales; smooth ventral scales, arranged in 81 transverse rows; 108 smooth, not enlarged median subcaudal scales; the fourth toe with 14 keeled subdigital lamellae; a reddish brown to brownish black dorsum and an orange-yellowish to greyish ventral side in life; as well as greyish black edged sutures of anterior supra- and infralabials. The new Lygosoma species is the third karst-adapted scincid species that has been described from Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park since 2005. A first molecular positioning of the new species within the genus Lygosoma is given as well as a key to the Vietnamese Lygosoma species.

Author Keywords: Central Truong Son; Lygosoma boehmei sp. n.; Phylogeny; Sauria; Scincidae; Taxonomy; Vietnam

Index Keywords: Lygosoma; Sauria; Scincidae; Squamata

Distribution: Vietnam (Quang Binh)

Type locality: karst forest of Cha Noi, 350-400 m elevation, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam.

Ziegler, T; Schmitz, A; Heidrich, A; Vu, NT; Nguyen, QT 2007. A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 114 (2): 397-415

Thompson, C. & Thompson, T. 2008. First contact in the Greater Mekong - new species discoveries. WWF, 40 pp. http://worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFBinaryitem10994.pdf

New species discovered in Greater Mekong : http://telegraph.co.uk/