Rainbow 'Ziggy Stardust' snake among new Mekong delta discoveries

A new species of snake called 'parafimbrios lao', discovered in LaosWWF/AFP

The spectacularly-coloured reptile, discovered in Laos, was featured in an annual report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) charity. The report likens the snake to David Bowie's iconic character Ziggy Stardust.

A new species of snake called 'parafimbrios lao', discovered in LaosWWF

Scientist Alexandre Teynié and his team came across the snake which was perched on a mossy rock. “We approached with shock, bringing to mind all known species in Asia that it may resemble but there was no match,” he said.

Orange-eyed litter frogWWF

A tiny orange-eyed frog, measuring less than 3cm long, was also discovered in the small rocky streams of north-eastern Cambodia.

A new species of newt called the 'tylototriton anguliceps', discovered in Chiang Rai, ThailandWWF/AFP

In neighbouring Thailand, a total of 32 new species like this brightly-coloured newt were found this year.

A new species of lizard called the 'acanthosaura phuketensis', discovered in Phuket, ThailandWWF/AFP

This medium-sized lizard with dragon-like horns was discovered in the jungles of Phuket, a popular tourist destination in Thailand. The harmless beast was seen hunting insects in a tree.

Klingon NewtWWF

This is the 'Klingon Newt'. Measuring between 6cm and 7cm, it is only the fourth newt species found to exist in Thailand.

Murina kontumensis, a new species of batWWF/Reuters

Among the discoveries was also this fearsome-looking, woolly bat from the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Musa Nanensis, a rare banana speciesWWF/Reuters

The Greater Mekong region also includes Myanmar and south-eastern China. It is often described as one of the most ecologically-diverse regions on earth.

Gekko BonkowskWWF/Reuters

But there are fears that many species will die out before they are ever discovered by scientists, as the illegal wildlife trade remains rampant in the region.