Amphibians

Bufo crocus

Wogan, G. O. U., Htun Win, Thin Thin, Kyi Soe Lwin, Awan Khwi Shein, Sai Wunna Kyi, and Hla Tun.  2003.  A new species of Bufo (Anura: Bufonidae) from Myanmar ( Burma ), and redescription of the little known species Bufo stuarti Smith 1929. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 54:141-153.

Abstract

 A new species of Bufo is described from the Rakhine State near the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range in western Myanmar. This species is morphologically similar to Bufo melanostictus, but it is distinguished by its smaller body size at maturity, the bright breeding coloration of the males, and its advertisement call. The new species brings the total number of bufonid species known to occur in Myanmar to seven; all are referred to the genus Bufo. Additionally, Bufo stuarti Smith 1929 is redescribed from the type specimen and more recently acquired specimens from the vicinity of the type locality. Lastly, a key to the Bufo of Myanmar is provided.

Chirixalus punctatus

Wilkinson, Jeff ery A., Win, Htun, Thin, Thin, Lwin, Kyi Soe, Shein, Awan Khwi, Tun, Hla. 2003. A new species of Chirixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from western Myanmar ( Burma ). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 54(1- 8):17-26.

Abstract

 A new species of the rhacophorid genus Chirixalus is described from western Myanmar. As with other members of Chirixalus, this species possesses a hand in which the two outer fingers oppose the inner fingers. This species differs from other members of this genus by a dorsal pattern of many dark brown spots on a lighter background of the head, trunk, and legs.

Lizards

Calotes chincollium

Vindum, Jens V.,Win, Htun, Thin, Thin, Lwin, Kyi Soe, Shein, Awan Khwi, Tun, Hla. 2003. A new Calotes (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Indo-Burman range of western Myanmar ( Burma ). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 54(1-8):1-16.

Abstract

A new species of Calotes is described from the Indo-Burman Range , western Myanmar . It was found between elevations of 737 m to 1940 m in areas of shifting cultivation and secondary forest. It differs from other species of Calotes from Myanmar by a combination of its large size, SVL up to 142.9 mm, relatively small body scales, 59-74 midbody scale rows, the tail in adult males being swollen posterior to base and the presence of head spines. The new species increases the diversity of Calotes species in Myanmar to six. A key to the Calotes of Myanmar is provided.

Cyrtodactylus brevidactylus
Cyrtodactylus slowinskii

Bauer, A. M.  2002.  Two new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Myanmar. Proceedings of the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences 53:73-86.

Abstract

Two new species of the gekkonid lizard genus Cyrtodactylus are described on the basis of material collected in Popa Mountain Park and Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park in north central Myanmar. The species from Popa Mountain is highly distinctive and resembles members of the Indian-Sri Lankan subgenus Geckoella in external appearance. It is characterized by its short digits, large number of midventral scales, series of 8 precloacal pores and absence of precloacal groove, femoral pores and enlarged femoral scales. The larger species, from Alaungdaw Kathapa, is diagnosed by its long digits and tail, absence of precloacal groove, series of 9-11 precloacal pores separated from a series of 11-12 femoral pores on each side, enlarged subcaudal plates, and pattern of 6-8 pairs of more-or-less well-defined, dark dorsal blotches between the nape and sacrum. The larger of the two species may be allied to C. consobrinus and other large-bodied southeast Asian members of the genus. The gekkonid fauna of Myanmar is more diverse than previously recognized and includes as many as 12 species of Cyrtodactylus.

Cyrtodactylus aequalis
Cyrtodactylus annandalei
Cyrtodactylus ayeryarwadyensis
Cyrtodactylus chrysopylos
Cyrtodactylus gansi
Cyrtodactylus russelli
Cyrtodactylus wakeorum

Bauer, A. M. 2003. Descriptions of seven new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with a key to the species of Myanmar ( Burma). Proceedings of the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences 54: 461-496.

Abstract

Seven new species of the gekkonid lizard genus Cyrtodactylus are described on the basis of material collected by the Myanmar Herpetological Survey. These include four small to moderately sized species with relatively short digits and three larger species with long, slender digits. Among the smaller forms two are allied to C. khasiensis; one from the Ayeyarwady delta and adjacent lowlands, the other from higher elevations in the Chin Hills. The remaining small species, from Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (Sagaing Division) and Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range ( Rakhine State ) are probably most closely allied to C. consobrinoides. The large-bodied forms include the apparent sister species of C. slowinskii, from far northwestern Myanmar, and two other, distinctive species from Mon State and Shan State, respectively. A dichotomous key to the sixteen species of Cyrtodactylus known from Myanmar is presented. The discovery of seven new species of the genus suggests that each hill range, as well as isolated peaks, may be expected to harbor endemic species of geckos. The collections of the Myanmar Herpetological Survey in areas to the west of the Ayeyarwady River complement historical collections derived chiefly from areas to the south (the former Lower Burma) and to the west of the central and zone.

Ptyctolaemus collicristatus

Schulte, J. A., II, J. V. Vindum, Htun Win, Thin Thin, Kyi Soe Lwin, and Awan Khwi Shein. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Ptyctolaemus (Squamata: Agamidae) with a description of a new species from the Chin Hills of Western Myanmar. Proceedings of the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences 55:222-247.

Abstract

A new species of Ptyctolaemus is described from the Chin Hills , Chin State , western Myanmar. Specimens were found on the slopes of Mount Victoria between elevations of 709 m and 1,940 m in areas of secondary forest in close proximity to human habitation. The new species differs from P. gularis, by having a more developed nuchal crest in males, shorter limbs, larger and more heterogeneous dorsal body scales, and a shorter tail. P. phuwuanensis can be distinguished from P gularis and the new species by the presence of femoral pores and a distinct gular region. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of P. gularis, P. phuwuanensis, the new species of Ptyctolaemus from Chin State, and other species in the draconine clade indicates that P. phuwuanensis is sister to all other draconine agamids and we recommend the recognition of the genus name Mantheyus for P. phuwuanensis in light of these results. Ptyctolaemus from Chin State and P gularis are related but significantly different genetically and morphologically, representing separate species.

Snakes

Lycodon zawi

Slowinski, J. B., S. S. Pawar, Htun Win, Thin Thin, Sai Wunna Gyi, San Lwin Oo, and Hla Tun.  2001.  A new Lycodon (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Northeast India and Myanmar ( Burma). Proceedings of the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences 52:397-405.

Abstract

A new species of the colubrid snake genus Lycodon is described from western Myanmar and Northeast India . Morphologically, the new species is most similar to L. laoensis, but is distinguishable from it by its brownish black and white dorsal coloration (vs. brownish black and yellow in L. laoensis) and the absence of a well-developed nape band (present in L. laoensis). The new species increases the diversity of Lycodon to four in Myanmar and to five in Northeast India .

Naja mandaleyensis

Slowinski, J. B. and W. Wuster.  2000.  A new cobra (Elapidae: Naja) from Myanmar (Burma).  Herpetologica 56:257-270.

Abstract

We describe a new species of spitting cobra of the genus Naja from central Myanmar . Multivariate analyses of morphological characters and analyses of mtDNA sequences confirm the distinctiveness of the new species. Phylogenetic analysis of the mtDNA data indicate that, among the cobra species of the southeast Asian mainland, the new species is most closely related to the Thai spitting cobra, Naja siamensis. The new species is apparently endemic to an arid region in central Myanmar.

Fishes

Danionella translucida

Roberts, T R. 1986. Danionella translucida new genus, new species of cyprinid fish from Burma: One of the smallest living vertebrates. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 16(4):231-242.

Abstract

Danionella translucida, a new genus and species of danioin cyprinid fishes, is described from Burma. Females are mature at 10-11 mm standard length, and the largest known specimen is only 12 mm. Ripe eggs are few in number and relatively large, 0.4-0.6 mm in diameter. Adults are scaleless and largely transparent, with a complex pattern of large melanophores on the ventral surface of the abdomen. Specializations observed in skeletal preparations include the 'danioin notch' in the medial surface of the mandibles; a large maxillo-mandibulary cartilage; a cartilage (epibranchial 5?) uniting the branchial arches 4 and 5; pharyngeal bones with a single row of 4 tricuspid teeth; and pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins with fewer rays than reported or observed in any other members of the family Cyprinidae.

Gagata melanopterus
Gagata gasawyuh
Gangra viridescens
Nangra bucculenta
Nangra carcharhinoides
Nangra ornata

Roberts, Tyson R. and Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. 1998. Review of South Asian sisorid catfish genera Gagata and Nangra, with descriptions of a new genus and five new species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 50(14):315-345.

Abstract

The sisorid catfish genera Gagata and Nangra are endemic to southern Asia. The greatest concentration of species of these genera occurs in the Ganges basin, including four species of Gagata, all named previously, and four of Nangra, three of which are newly described here. Gagata gagata ( Hamilton ), G. sexualis (Tilak), G. youssoufi (Ataur Rahman), Nangra bucculenta n. sp., N. carcharhinoides n. sp., and N. ornata n. sp. are known only from the Ganges basin, while Gagata cenia ( Hamilton ) and Nangra nangra ( Hamilton ) also occur in the Indus basin, along with the endemic Nangra robusta Mizra and Awan. Gagata itchkeea (Sykes) is known only from peninsular India . Two species of Gagata from Myanmar , previously identified as Gangetic species are described as G. melanopterus, n. sp., from the Irrawaddy , Rangoon , Sittang, and lower Salween basins, and G. gasawyuh, n. sp., from the Irrawaddy , Salween and Tenasserim basins. The Gangetic species previously reported as Gagata (or Nangra) viridescens ( Hamilton ) does not belong in either of these genera and is placed in a new genus, Gangra. Once this monotypic genus is recognized, Nangra and Gagata are readily diagnosed as natural groups of the Nangrina. Nangra punctata Day, 1877, is a junior synonym of Gangra viridescens. A neotype is designated for Nangra nangra to stabilize the name according to current usage.

Sperata acicularis

Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. and Runge, Kathryn E. 1999. Revision of the South Asian bagrid catfish genus Sperata, with the description of a new species from Myanmar Source. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 51(10):397-424.

Abstract

The South Asian bagrid catfish genus Sperata Holly, 1939, comprises a group of four species distributed from Pakistan to Myanmar. All species of this genus are commercially important food fishes and among the largest catfishes of South Asia . The generic name for this group has undergone a series of replacements and corrections since the name Macrones Dumeril, 1856, was proposed for Bagrus lamarrii Valenciennes, 1840 (= Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839)) and several other species. Most recently, the genus was known as Aorichthys Wu, 1939, a name published several months after Sperata. Sperata aor ( Hamilton , 1822) and S. seenghala (Sykes, 1839) were found to be widely distributed in India and neighboring countries. Sperata aorella (Blyth, 1858), which has been included in the synonymy of one or the other of these species since shortly after the name was first proposed, was instead found to represent a valid species of the Ganges River delta and nearby areas. The species of Sperata distributed widely in Myanmar is not any of the named forms and is herein described as Sperata acicularis n. sp.