New herpetofaunal observations from Laos based on photo records Author Nguyen, Tan Van Save Vietnam’s Wildlife Center, Nho Quan, Ninh Binh, VIETNAM Author Brakels, Peter IUCN Laos PDR, Vientiane, LAOS PDR Author Maury, Nathanael Chelonian Conservation Center Laos, Vientiane, LAOS PDR Author Sudavanh, Somchit Chelonian Conservation Center Laos, Vientiane, LAOS PDR Author Pawangkhanant, Parinya Division of Fishery, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, THAILAND Author Idiiatullina, Sabira Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, RUSSIA Author Lorphengsy, Sengvilay Division of Fishery, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, THAILAND & The Biotechnology and Ecology Institute Ministry of Science and Technology, LAOS PDR Author Inkhavilay, Khamla Department of Biology, Natural Science Faculty, National University of Laos, Vientiane, LAOS PDR Author Suwannapoom, Chatmongkon Division of Fishery, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, THAILAND Author Poyarkov, Nikolay A. Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, RUSSIA & Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, VIETNAM text Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 2020 e 248 2020-07-26 14 2 218 249 journal article 10.5281/zenodo.13258271 1525-9153 13258271 Glyphoglossus molossus Günther, 1869 Blunt-headed Balloon Frog ( Fig. 4D ) One individual of G. molossus was observed by K. Inkhavilay on 19 May 2018 in Xonnabouly District , Savannakhet Province ( 16°16.071’N , 105°38.594’E ; elevation 140 m asl ) . Morphological characters of the individual from Savannakhet Province agreed well with the descriptions of Taylor (1962) and Vassilieva et al. (2016) . The photographed individual ( Fig. 4D ) agrees with the diagnosis of G. molossus in the following characters: large body size with robust, stocky habitus; head wide and short, with sharply truncated snout; tympanum indistinct; supratympanic fold distinct; limbs short; webbing on toes developed; tips of fingers and toes without discs; eye small; skin on dorsum thick, glandular, ventral surfaces smooth; dorsal coloration dark gray, with obscure yellow speckling; ventral surfaces whitish. Ecological notes. Specimen was recorded near the bank of a small river in riparian forest, consisting partly of remains of seasonally dry dipterocarp forest with patches of mixed deciduous forest. Distribution. In Laos , this species has been previously recorded from Salavan Province , where it is sold in markets for food (Stuart 1999). This is the first confirmed country record of this species in the wild, as well as the first record from Savannakhet Province . Moreover, G. molossus is also regularly reported from the market near the city of Pakse, Champasak Province , and in Vientiane Province and Vientiane Prefecture , where it is also sold for food ( Manthey and Manthey 2017b ; N. Maury, pers. obs.). Elsewhere, this species has been reported from Myanmar , Vietnam , Cambodia , Thailand , and peninsular Malaysia ( Vassilieva et al. 2016 ).