Reptile Diversity in Food Markets in Laos – via Herp Digest

Current Herpetology 34(2):112-119. 2015 

https://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.34.112

Dai Suzuki, Kengo Fuse, Mitsuhiro Aizu, Satoshi Yoshizawa, Wataru Tanaka, Kunio Araya and Bounthob Praxaysombath

The Herpetological Society of Japan

(Editor-Yes, the paper is over a year old, but I believe still relevant and if anyone has published or know of a more recent account please send them to me. Also the attached bibliography provides a great source for anyone interested in tracking what reptiles are being sold in various Asian markets.)

Accepted: June 6, 2015

Author Affiliations

Dai Suzuki

Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN Current address: Graduate Education and Research Training Program in Decision Science for a Sustainable Society, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN

Author for correspondence: suzuki.dai.0923@gmail.com

Kengo Fuse

Current address: Graduate Education and Research Training Program in Decision Science for a Sustainable Society, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, JAPAN

Mitsuhiro Aizu

Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN

Satoshi Yoshizawa

Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN

Wataru Tanaka

Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN

Kunio Araya

Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, JAPAN

Bounthob Praxaysombath

Faculty of Science, National University of Laos, Dong Dok Campus, Vientiane 7322, Lao PDR

Abstract:

Wildlife is one of the most important food resources in Laos, and many species are sold at the local markets, but the fauna of the country remains poorly known. As a result of human impacts, including overharvesting for food consumption, many wild animals in Asia face imminent extinction. Our study focused on reptile species that were sold at local markets in Laos. The data were recorded in February, August, and September 2013. We found 16 reptile species in the local market: eight freshwater turtle species, Cuora amboinensis, Cyclemys oldhamii, Malayemys macrocephala, M. subtrijuga, Sacalia quadriocellata, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Amyda ornata, and Pelodiscus sinensis, one tortoise species, Manouria impressa, four lizard species, Calotes versicolor, Physignathus cocincinus, Varanus nebulosus and V. salvator, and three snake species, Malayopython reticulatus and two species of Ptyas. Most of these reptile species are used by local people as foods. Two species are recorded for the first time from Laos or the surveyed region. Our results suggested that the cryptic diversity of the reptile fauna of Laos still exists and highlighted the importance of field surveys and conservation actions.

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