Rapid forest clearing in a Myanmar proposed national park threatens two newly discovered species of geckos (Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus).

Myanmar's recent transition from military rule towards a more democratic government has largely ended decades of political and economic isolation. Although Myanmar remains heavily forested, increased development in recent years has been accompanied by exceptionally high rates of forest loss. In this study, we document the rapid progression of deforestation in and around the proposed Lenya National Park, which includes some of the largest remaining areas of lowland evergreen rainforest in mainland Southeast Asia. The globally unique forests in this area are rich in biodiversity and remain a critical stronghold for many threatened and endangered species, including large charismatic fauna such as tiger and Asian elephant. We also conducted a rapid assessment survey of the herpetofauna of the proposed national park, which resulted in the discovery of two new species of bent-toed geckos, genus Cyrtodactylus. We describe these new species, C. lenya sp. nov. and C. payarhtanensis sp. nov., which were found in association with karst (i.e., limestone) rock formations within mature lowland wet evergreen forest. The two species were discovered less than 35 km apart and are each known from only a single locality. Because of the isolated nature of the karst formations in the proposed Lenya National Park, these geckos likely have geographical ranges restricted to the proposed protected area and are threatened by approaching deforestation. Although lowland evergreen rainforest has vanished from most of continental Southeast Asia, Myanmar can still take decisive action to preserve one of the most biodiverse places on Earth

Phylogenetic placement of the two new species (1 = <i>Cyrtodactylus lenya</i> sp. nov. and 2 = <i>Cyrtodactylus payarhtanensis</i> sp. nov.) for COI (left) and ND2 (middle) mtDNA sequence data based on maximum likelihood analyses.

<p>The upper right tree shows close-up of ND2 relationships for the two new species. Middle and lower right are photos of: 1) <i>C</i>. <i>lenya</i> sp. nov. (USNM 587788; type); 2) <i>C</i>. <i>payarhtanensis</i> (USNM 587411; paratype). Both photos by Daniel G. Mulcahy.</p

Photo of <i>Cyrtodactylus lenya</i> sp. nov., USNM 587789 paratype (photo by Daniel G. Mulcahy).

<p>Photo of <i>Cyrtodactylus lenya</i> sp. nov., USNM 587789 paratype (photo by Daniel G. Mulcahy).</p

Photo of <i>Cyrtodactylus payarhtanensis</i> sp. nov., USNM 557792 paratype.

<p>(photo by Daniel G. Mulcahy).</p

New <i>Cyrtodactylus</i> species profiles.

<p>New <i>Cyrtodactylus</i> species profiles.</p

Rapid forest clearing in a Myanmar proposed national park threatens two newly discovered species of geckos (Gekkonidae: <i>Cyrtodactylus</i>) - Fig 3

<p>Percent of area forested inside the proposed Lenya National Park and at varying distances from the proposed park boundaries (left). Deforestation rates inside the proposed Lenya National Park and in surrounding areas within 10 km (right). The dotted line (right panel) indicates Myanmar’s nationwide deforestation rate between 2002 and 2014 [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0174432#pone.0174432.ref025" target="_blank">25</a>].</p

First record of the Malaysian Bridle Snake, Dryocalamus subannulatus (Dum&amp;eacute;ril, Bibron &amp;amp; Dum&amp;eacute;ril, 1854), in Myanmar (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae)

Dryocalamus subannulatus is reported for the first time from Myanmar. A single individual was found on the Thayawthadangyi Island Group in the Myeik Archipelago, Tanintharyi Region. Morphological features and a maximum likelihood analysis of the 16S mitochondrial gene confirm its identity. This specimen represents the first record of D. subannulatus north of the Isthmus of Kra

Deforestation in and around the proposed Lenya National Park (currently the Lenya and Nga Wun Reserve Forests).

<p>The highlighted focal region includes the proposed protected area as well as surrounding areas in Myanmar within 10 km.</p