Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I came across this news tidbit today, and found it a bit confusing:

"New reptile species found in Viet Nam and Laos
03/20/2006 -- 11:26(GMT 7)

SGGP (VNA) - A new reptile species has just been found in Central Viet Nam and Southern Laos, said scientists from the Viet Nam Institute for Ecology and Biological Resources and the Zoological Institute of Russia's Saint Petersburg University.

The newly-discovered reptile of Acanthosaura Nataliae Orlov belongs to the salamander family. They were found in the central provinces of Da Nang and Quang Nam and the Central Highlands Gia Lai and Kontum provinces in Viet Nam, Saravani and Xe Kong provinces in Laos.-Enditem"
(Originally found at: http://www.vnanet.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=32&NEWS_ID=191245)

This is rather confusing, since the "news" says that this new Acanthosaura species belongs to the salamander family. Unless there was a translation error? The range seems consistent with a potentially new Acanthosaura species, but I still find it a bit befuddling.

Any ideas or input? Has anyone seen any other news of this?

Thanks!

I Googled Acanthosaurs nataliae orlov...

http://www.manager.co.th/IndoChina/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000038000
An image apparently labelled as this "new species."

http://www.thiennhienmoitruong.com/apm/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1146
Here as well? This ones appears to have a reference: Nguyen and Nguyen, 2006.

So I searched for this paper, and info in the Russian Journal of Herpetology:
"A New Acanthosaura Allied to A. capra Günther, 1861 (Agamidae, Sauria) from Central Vietnam and Southern Laos

Nikolai L. Orlov, Nguyen Quang Truong, and Nguyen Van Sang

A new agamid species from central Vietnam and Southern Laos is described. It is distinguished from A. armata, A. coronata, A. crucigera, and A. lepidogaster by lacking a spine on the occiput between the tympanum and nuchal crest. The new species differs from coronata and lepidogaster by having a large crest and from armata, crucigera, and lepidogaster by lacking a dark marking on the nape. It most closely resembles A. capra, but differs from it by having large keeled scales intermixed with small scales on the lateral and dorsal surface of body (scales relatively uniform in capra). Strong difference in coloration in live of adult males and females of compared species of genus Acanthosaura are described.

Keywords: Agamidae, Acanthosaura, A. capra, a new species, Laos, Vietnam"
(Originally at: http://rjh.folium.ru/contents/2006/2006-01.htm)

But this paper refers to A. coronata, I've never seen that species name before (is it possibly a new name for A. capra?)

Anyways, let me know what you guys think and anything you've found!

I've never heard of the coronata but there is a beautiful picture of the nataliae on page 9 of the July Reptiles magazine. It's breath taking.

Coronata huh? That is a new one to me too. However, the other puzzle is one I posted about on May 8th. I am assuming that the numerous articles calling it a salamander must have been due to translation errors as the photos are clearly of an MHD not a salamander! ; )

The photo on the web with the article is a striking animal but not nearly as awesome as the breathtaking beauty they pictured in the July Reptiles clip. I am guessing this is another diversely colored group. In fact, whos to say that it isn't multiple groups? I guess we must leave that to the experts.

I know there is much color variation in my groupl of armata so who knows!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Hmm, so it isn't new news, really I've been absent from the boards and from reading Reptiles lately, so I'll have to check out the July issue.

I did a google on acanthosaura coronata and the only thing i found was a bird. so much of what I found wasn't in english.

I also got the book Agamid Lizards by Mathey and Schuster. Nice book. Anymore I should be looking for. I think Ingo or Jobi posted some but I can't find that post.

Bonnie, Check this thread for some books http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=979902,985802. The are in German but maybe they would be worth the photos!

We need them translated!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html