Luang Prabang Research Articles

Farmers' Perceptions of Imperata cylindrica Infestation in a Slash-and-Burn Cultivation Area of Northern Lao PDR

This paper discusses farmers’ perceptions of Imperata infestation and its impact on agricultural land uses in a slash-and-burn area of Nambak District in Luang Prabang Province, northern Laos. Our study showed that slash-and-burn cultivation (SBC), which has been practiced for generations, remains the main agricultural land use system and provides an important source of food and income for farmers. Imperata, which first took root one and a half decades ago, is gradually proliferating, affecting the livelihoods of nearly 38% of households in the five target villages of this study. The positive cause-and-effect relationship among such factors as accelerated land clearing, young fallows, declining soil fertility, and land shortages—suggested to be the main cause of the Imperata infestation—has reduced not only cultivable land but also its productivity. According to the majority of farmers, the most significant problems caused by Imperata infestation are reduced crop yields, increased weeding, and reduced crop growth. To overcome the problems, farmers employ a combination of strategies—the most common being weeding, fallowing the land, applying chemicals, and exchanging labor. However, the implementation of these strategies is encumbered by many constraints, primarily lack of labor and capital, rice insufficiency, and limited land. Given the constraints and the available technologies, it will be very difficult for farmers in the study area to adopt a more permanent, diversified, and productive agricultural system, which is a high priority of government development policy in the uplands. To meet this challenge, the thrust of research and development communities working in the uplands should be on more systematic and integrated interventions that combine technological, social, economic, and political resolutions based on knowledge of the causes of Imperata infestation, the problems it creates, management strategies to cope with the infestation, and the specific constraints perceived by farmers.

Can we make participatory NTFP monitoring work? Lessons learnt from the development of a multi-stakeholder system in Northern Laos

Monitoring natural resources is essential for their successful and sustainable management. Community participation should enable local people to take ownership of the monitoring and ensure that it is cost-effective. But even then, success is often elusive. We developed a participatory Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) monitoring system in 6 upland villages of Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR, using focus group discussions, interviews, village meetings and direct observations. We used simple approaches to select resources, discuss issues, and develop a cost-effective NTFP monitoring system. Communities usually relied on shifting cultivation, fishing and collection of NTFPs. Gold mining activities affected livelihoods in three villages, which had better access to markets. Participatory monitoring looks less successful when external economic pressures or a major environmental threat disturbs local livelihoods. In the case of gold mining, we observed the prioritization of villagers' activities towards this sudden new economic opportunity. In contrast, communities not impacted by mining participated more actively in data collection. They understood how the data could be used to influence the local government, to achieve more beneficial land management for all stakeholders concerned. We believe that participatory NTFP monitoring can work and is an important tool for decision-making and economic empowerment for local communities. We identified the conditions under which participatory NTFP monitoring could work: reaching a shared understanding of what needs to be monitored and how; testing and refining a simple monitoring system; and integrating local government concerns with those of other stakeholders.

Financial Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease on Large Ruminant Smallholder Farmers in the Greater Mekong Subregion

A retrospective investigation of financial losses incurred by large ruminant smallholder farmers due to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2010-12 in northern Laos was conducted in 2012. The aim was to support recommendations on sustainable transboundary animal disease control strategies in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Large ruminant smallholders in the three northern provinces of Luang Prabang (LPB), Xiengkhoung (XK) and Xayyabouli (XYL) were interviewed (n = 310). Financial losses were determined, including direct losses due to mortality (100% of pre-FMD sale value) and morbidity (difference between the expected sale price pre-FMD and 1 month following onset of FMD), and indirect losses due to costs of treatments. The losses due to FMD per household varied between provinces (P < 0.001) and were USD 1124, USD 862 and USD 381 in LPB, XK and XYL, respectively, being 60, 40 and 16% of annual household income. Comparison of the costs of FMD with annual household income from sales of large ruminants indicated losses of 213, 181 and 60% of the income in LPB, XK and XYL, respectively. The variation in losses between provinces was due to differences in levels of morbidity with highest in LPB, treatment methods with antibiotic use common in LPB, age of animals sold and sale prices with higher prices in XK. Partial budget analysis of biannual FMD vaccination indicated an average net benefit of USD 22 and USD 33 for cattle and buffalo, respectively. However, vaccination alone is unlikely to control FMD in the region. Promotion of multiple large ruminant health and production intervention programmes to stimulate interest in biosecurity in addition to vaccination is recommended, providing a more sustainable pathway for poverty reduction through the current expansion of livestock investments in the GMS.

Secondary Forests and Local Livelihoods along a Gradient of Accessibility: A Case Study in Northern Laos

Rural livelihoods in developing countries can be enhanced by improving access to natural resources, services, and markets. In remote rural areas of the humid or semihumid tropics, forests represent an important resource for livelihoods. In countries like Laos, where most primary forest has been converted to secondary forest, and where an intricate and interlinked mosaic of forest and farmland prevails, people depend on secondary forests as a prime source of goods and services. The linkages between local livelihoods and secondary forest resources are subject to changes caused by improving accessibility. This article studies how accessibility affects the condition of forests and local livelihoods by comparing three villages along a gradient of accessibility in Phonxay district, Luang Prabang province, northern Laos. The results of this research show that accessibility strengthens the influence of the government and of markets, and that local livelihoods improve with increasing accessibility, while forest condition deteriorates.

The rhetoric of Lao/French fusion: beyond the representation of the Western tourist experience of cuisine in the world heritage city of Luang Prabang, Laos

Inextricably interwoven into the Western tourist experience of Luang Prabang, former royal capital and former French colonial town, is a food encounter increasingly subsumed under the description of ‘Lao-French fusion cuisine’. There has been a conscious exploitation of the connection between the cultural heritage of this World Heritage town, and the distinctiveness of its cuisine as intangible heritage. This article explores the intersections between the way the cuisine is represented, the contestations around these representations (what is included and excluded, the use of the past) and the Western cuisine experience of Luang Prabang. We argue the rhetoric of fusion is partial, selective and strongly influenced by the various ways Luang Prabang (re)presents itself to Western tourists. Further, that the touristic image/experience of Luang Prabang's cuisine camouflages under the fusion description a highly mobile set of dynamics and understanding of the food scenarios within the historic city. In particular, the intermingling of many food traditions; the highly improvized nature of cuisine, the interplay between local farming, markets and food production, food imports from Thailand, China, Vietnam and France, the way cuisine marks and ritualizes social groups (Lao bourgeoisie, students, monks, hilltribe ethnic minorities, expatriates, Western tourists, etc.) and the ebb and flow between these groups in food production and consumption. The heritage tourist rhetoric of fusion masks complexity and freezes an open-ended process into a fixed representation.

The genus Hybos Meigen (Diptera: Empidoidea: Hybotidae) in Thailand.

The genus Hybos Meigen in Thailand is revised and full descriptions and keys provided for all 41 species. Thirty-four new species are recognized: H. aceriformis sp. nov., H. ancyclochiles sp. nov., H. anisoserratus sp. nov., H. bispinatus sp. nov., H. chaweewani sp. nov., H. daugeroni sp. nov., H. divisus sp. nov., H. grootaerti sp. nov., H. hylobates sp. nov., H. inthanonensis sp. nov., H. kaluang sp. nov., H. khamfui sp. nov., H. konkaogwang sp. nov., H. lannaensis sp. nov., H. mangraii sp. nov., H. meeamnat sp. nov., H. men sp. nov., H. merzi sp. nov., H. ngachang sp. nov., H. paknok sp. nov., H. phahompokensis sp. nov., H. pisadaanus sp. nov., H. saenmueangmai sp. nov., H. shamshevi sp. nov., H. sinclairi sp. nov., H. songbai sp. nov., H. steatopygus sp. nov., H. stigmaticus sp. nov., H. subapicalis sp. nov., H. tetricus sp. nov., H. thaosaeo sp. nov., H. thepkaisoni sp. nov., H. tilokarati sp. nov., H. yungyak sp. nov. Seven species known previously from China are recognized: H. ancistroides Yang & Yang, H. apicihamatus Yang & Yang, H. longus Yang & Yang, H. particularis Yang, Yang & Hu, H. serratus Yang & Yang, H. xishuangbannaensis Yang & Yang, and H. zhejiangensis Yang & Yang. Eight informal species-groups are tentatively proposed based on characters of male and female terminalia and attention is drawn to the many previously overlooked taxonomically useful characters of the female terminalia. Distribution maps of all species are presented and distributions categorised as ‘widespread’, ‘eastern’, ‘southern’, north-eastern’ or ‘northern and western’. Species richness and endemicity are greatest in mid to high elevation evergreen forest biotopes of the northern mountains and areas of endemism are identified on the Luang Prabang, Daen Lao, Thanon Thong-chai ranges and on the Isaan Plateau at least. Adult phenology is correlated with the rainy season in many species and preliminary analyses reveal that many high-elevation species have short emergence periods and restricted distributions, whereas some lowland species have longer emergence periods and wider distributions.

Acoustic measurements of the spatial distribution of suspended sediment at three sites on the Lower Mekong River

The Mekong River spans thousands of kilometers, flows through six countries, and its basin is one of the world’s richest in terms of biodiversity. However, land-use changes, dredging of the river bed, and the construction of dams are changing its sediment dynamics and morphology. The resultant increases in bank erosion and reduction in sediment supply to floodplains may have adverse effects on the economical and biological productivity of the region. In order to monitor these changes, the current conditions must be well understood. Comprehensive measurements of the spatial distribution of sediment (both suspended and bed load) were made at three locations in different physiographic regions of the Lower Mekong at the end of the 2012 rainy season. Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers and a multifrequency acoustic backscatter system, the AQUAscat, were used in combination with water sampling to provide high resolution measurements of concentration and grain size. The AQUAscat consisted of four monostatic transducers operating at 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 4 MHz. At each site, it was deployed horizontally at five across-stream positions and 5–10 depths per vertical; a 10 m profile was recorded at each point. The spatial distribution of particle size and concentration were determined using multifrequency inversions of (1) backscattered intensity and (2) attenuation calculated from the intensity profiles. This data set provides a baseline to which to compare future measurements at these sites.

Helminth communities in murid rodents from southern and northern localities in Lao PDR: the role of habitat and season

The helminth communities of wild murid rodents were investigated in Luang Prabang and Champasak province, Lao PDR. Thirteen species of rodents (404 individuals) were infected by 19 species of parasites (2 trematode, 3 cestode, 14 nematode species). Four of the recorded helminth species (Echinostoma malayanum, Raillietina sp., Hymenolepis diminuta and H. nana) are known to cause potential zoonotic helminthiases of medical importance in the South-East Asian region. Individual helminth infection was significantly higher in the wet season. Habitat significantly influenced individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abudance, with a decrease of individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abundance from forest habitat to agricultural and human settlement habitats. The reduction of helminth diversity and abundance is discussed in relation to the ongoing increase of human influence on habitats in Lao PDR.

Current Status of Human Taeniasis in Lao People's Democratic Republic

Human taeniasis was investigated in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) between 2000 and 2011 as part of the nation's helminthiasis survey. A total of 55,038 inhabitants, including 29,846 school children, were examined using the Kato-Katz and scotch-tape anal swab method, and morphological observation of adult worms. Molecular identification of Taenia tapeworms was performed by multiplex PCR or DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Taenia eggs were present at a rate of 1.5% (845/55,038) in the subject population. Adult tapeworms were identified as T. solium or T. saginata by analyzing the collectable stool specimens (n=126). Three specimens identified as T. solium were found in Luang Prabang, while the remaining 123 specimens, which were T. saginata, were found in Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouane, Luang Namta, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Saysomboune, Saravane, Savannakhet, Xayaboury, Xekong, Xieng Khouang Province, and Vientiane Municipality.

Contestation and negotiation of heritage conservation in Luang Prabang, Laos

This paper reports on the findings of a study into the interactions between entrepreneurs and heritage regulators in the conservation of historic buildings in the UNESCO listed town centre of Luang Prabang, Laos. Based on interviews and surveys conducted with property owners and business owners in this heritage zone, and with a representative of the town's heritage regulation authority, the research investigates the relation between enterprises, the heritage environment they occupy, and the Heritage House – the heritage regulation body that determines the way in which they may use and adapt their buildings. Issues include perceived benefits and constraints brought by preservation policies and practices, as well as changes in property usage and decline of traditional ways of life as spinoff effects of UNESCO listing, which threaten the town's intangible heritage. Entrepreneurs and regulators each perceive the other stakeholder group as a source of constraints and challenges. The paper proposes that understanding heritage in terms of collaborative, rather than adversarial, processes, could contribute to more socially sustainable conservation practice, and makes recommendations for institutional and organizational changes that could support such a culture of negotiation and collaboration in heritage conservation in Luang Prabang.

Late Triassic volcanic activity in South-East Asia: New stratigraphical, geochronological and paleontological evidence from the Luang Prabang Basin (Laos)

In South-East Asia, sedimentary basins displaying continental Permian and Triassic deposits have been poorly studied. Among these, the Luang Prabang Basin (North Laos) represents a potential key target to constrain the stratigraphic and structural evolutions of South-East Asia. A combined approach involving sedimentology, palaeontology, geochronology and structural analysis, was thus implemented to study the basin. It resulted in a new geological map, in defining new formations, and in proposing a complete revision of the Late Permian to Triassic stratigraphic succession as well as of the structural organization of the basin. Radiometric ages are used to discuss the synchronism of volcanic activity and sedimentation.The Luang Prabang Basin consists of an asymmetric NE-SW syncline with NE-SW thrusts, located at the contact between Late Permian and Late Triassic deposits. The potential stratigraphic gap at the Permian–Triassic boundary is therefore masked by deformation in the basin. The Late Triassic volcaniclastic continental deposits are representative of alluvial plain and fluvial environments. The basin was fed by several sources, varying from volcanic, carbonated to silicic (non-volcanic). U–Pb dating of euhedral zircon grains provided maximum sedimentation ages. The stratigraphic vertical succession of these ages, from ca. 225, ca. 220 to ca. 216Ma, indicates that a long lasting volcanism was active during sedimentation and illustrates significant variations in sediment preservation rates in continental environments (from ∼100m/Ma to ∼3m/Ma). Anhedral inherited zircon grains gave older ages. A large number of them, at ca. 1870Ma, imply the reworking of a Proterozoic basement and/or of sediments containing fragments of such a basement. In addition, the Late Triassic (Carnian to Norian) sediments yielded to a new dicynodont skull, attributed to the Kannemeyeriiform group family, from layers dated in between ∼225 and ∼221Ma (Carnian).

Changes in the sediment load of the Lancang-Mekong River over the period 1965–2003

Changes in the sediment load of a river can have important impacts on river channel evolution, nutrient fluxes, aquatic ecology and delta erosion and sedimentation, and the possibility of changes in the sediment load of the Lancang-Mekong River has attracted increasing concern in recent years. Existing studies present conflicting findings regarding the nature and magnitude of recent changes in the sediment load of the Lancang-Meking River and the authors have attempted to assemble the most reliable data on annual sediment loads for the period 1965–2003, to assess recent trends in the sediment load of the river. The changes in annual sediment load at 7 stations on the river are analyzed. Important sediment contributing areas are found in the reaches between Gajiu and Yunjinghong, Chiang Saen and Luang Prabang and downstream of Nong Khai. The sediment load increased at Gajiu, Yunjinghong and Chiang Saen over the period 1985–1992 because of serious soil erosion caused by the expansion of cultivation, the replacement of natural forest by plantations and land disturbance associated with hydropower dam construction. A marked reduction in sediment load occurred at Gajiu after the impoundment of the Manwan Hydropower dam on the Lancang River, but this reduction was not evident downstream at Yunjinghong and the stations further downstream. Significant increases in sediment load appeared at Mukdahan and Khong Chiam. These contrasting patterns of change reflect the influence of sediment contributions from the intervening catchment areas and channel systems as well as storage and remobilization of sediment from the channel system and the impact of hydraulic works such as irrigation systems. The long term mean annual sediment load of the Mekong River at its mouth is estimated to be ca. 145×106 t a−1, which is lower than previously reported values and it seems likely that this will be reduced in the foreseeable future.

Fishborne Trematode Metacercariae in Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Saravane Province, Lao PDR

Fishborne trematode (FBT) metacercariae were investigated in fish from 3 Provinces of Lao PDR. Total 242 freshwater fish of 40 species were collected in local markets of Luang Prabang (59 fish of 16 species), Khammouane (81 fish of 19 species), and Saravane (97 fish of 14 species), and each of them was examined by artificial digestion method. Four species of metacercariae (Opisthorchis viverrini, Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchis yokogawai, and Centrocestus formosanus) were detected. O. viverrini was detected in 35 fish (14.5%), and their density was 252 per infected fish (Luang Prabang, 88 metacercariae in 5 fish; Khammouane, 187 in 6 fish; Saravane, 303 in 24 fish). H. taichui was found in 102 fish (42.1%), and their density was 485 per infected fish (Luang Prabang, 260 metacercariae in 38 fish; Khammouane, 1,084 in 23 fish; Saravane, 359 in 41 fish). H. yokogawai was detected in 92 fish (38.0%), and their density was 222 per infected fish (Luang Prabang, 362 metacercariae in 17 fish; Khammouane, 126 in 20 fish; Saravane, 214 in 55 fish). Metacercariae of C. formosanus were found in 8 fish (3.3%), and their density was 3 per infected fish. In the present study, it has been confirmed that FBT metacercariae, in particular, H. taichui, H. yokogawai, and O. viverrini, are highly prevalent in fish from Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Saravane Province, Lao PDR.

Upper Permian (Late Changhsingian) marine strata in Nan Province, northern Thailand

In the Upper Permian of northeastern Thailand (Loei Province), continental plants have been found and to the north in Laos near Luang Prabang, continental vertebrates (Dicynodon species) have been discovered. The Middle Permian is in sharp contrast to this as it is represented only by marine sediments. West of these areas in the province of Nan in Thailand, the Upper Permian is represented by marine sediments which extend to a high level in the Upper Permian and continental beds appear to be entirely absent, at least at Pha Dang Khwai, a locality where limestone extends from the end of the Lower Permian to the Triassic.

Anapidae (Arachnida: Araneae), a spider family newly recorded from Laos

The spider family Anapidae is reported from Laos for the first time. One new species is described: Pseudanapis namkhan n. sp. from Nam Khan Valley, Luang Prabang Province. Another species is recorded for the first time from Champasak Province, Laos and the following new synonymy is proposed: Sinanapis thaleri Ono 2009 = Sinanapis crassitarsus Wunderlich & Song 1995 n. syn. Morphological descriptions, diagnoses and comparative illustrations are provided for the two species.

Mobility and modernity in Luang Prabang, Laos: re-thinking heritage and tourism

Numerous studies of tourism in Luang Prabang World Heritage site in Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic are critical of the perceived impacts on heritage values of the city. Criticisms relate to the incursion of new buildings into the historic core, the loss of older dwellings, increases in foreigners renting and restoring properties as guest houses and restaurants and the movement of locals out of the historic core. Other criticisms relate to the effects on community support for the monastic communities that create the sacred and ritual geography of the city, the loss of community diversity within the World Heritage boundaries and increasing uniformity as the development of tourism continues apace. While our research does not challenge these observations it raises questions about the type of analyses and conclusions reached. Too often ‘heritage’, ‘tourism’ and ‘community’ are considered self-evident and bounded entities, with tourism something faintly alien that causes disruption to the urban fabric of Luang Prabang and, consequently, to the values for which it was inscribed. We propose a different way of conceptualising the relationship between heritage, community and tourism by examining the interaction between global, regional and local mobilities in the context of globalisation and under the aegis of modernity.

ラオス山地部における焼畑実施の村落差とその要因―ルアンパバーン県シェンヌン郡の14村の比較から―

ラオス山地部における焼畑実施の村落差とその要因―ルアンパバーン県シェンヌン郡の14村の比較から―

A new species of Metzia (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Northern Laos

A new cyprinid fish, Metzia bounthobi, is described on the basis of 18 specimens (including 10 specimens in type series)from the Mekong River basin in Phongsaly and Luang Prabang Provinces, northern Laos. The species is distinguishedfrom congeners by having the following diagnostic traits: 18–20 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 10–18 in the others); 49–55lateral-line scale rows (vs. 35–48); 33–36 predorsal scale rows (vs. 15–20); 20–22 circumpeduncular scale rows (vs.14–18); 8–10 gill rakers on outer surface of first gill arch (vs. 12–18). The new species also resembles species of Hemic-ulterella, Ischikauia and at least some species of Anabarilius, in sharing a sharp keel developed only between the base ofthe pelvic fin and anus, soft last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, and air bladder composed of two chambers; however, M.bounthobi differs in having a considerably rounded snout (vs. pointed in Hemiculterella, Ischikauia and Anabarilius),18–20 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 8–17 in Hemiculterella, Ischiakuia and Anabarilius), 49–55 lateral-line scale rows (vs.more than 58 in Ischikauia and Anabarilius, except for A. transmontana with 54–57), air bladder with rounded posteriorend (vs. posterior end with a small lobe at least in Hemiculterella) and 39–40 vertebrae (vs. 40–43, 42–43 and 43–48 in Hemiculterella, Ischikauia and Anabarilius, respectively).

Permian continental paleoenvironments in Southeastern Asia: New insights from the Luang Prabang Basin (Laos)

In Laos (Southeastern Asia), Late Paleozoic sediments were identified by early French explorations across Indochina during the late 19th century (Pavie missions), but little work was undertaken to characterize the sedimentological and stratigraphical context until now. From detailed sedimentological and paleontological studies, we propose an interpretation of the depositional environment and of the stratigraphic context of series located on the right bank of the Mekong River in the Luang Prabang Basin where three main formations were described. The silicoclastic Red Claystone Formation, attributed to alluvial plain environment, contains large fragments of unidentified dicynodonts. The Limestones and Sandstones Formation preserves a new macrofloral assemblage displaying affinities with Middle to Late Permian Cathaysian floras of South China. This assemblage occurs as an intercalation within marine calcareous sandstones that have yielded a marine fauna, including the ammonoid Pseudotirolites sp. which indicates a Late Permian (Changhsingian) age. The well-developed Purple Claystones Formation yielded an abundant and well preserved Late Permian fauna composed of a carnivorous amphibian and numerous Dicynodon cranial and postcranial elements. This formation shows a vertical evolution from braided river to alluvial plain with sheet-flood sand bed and bed-load rivers, with a constant supply of volcanic clasts. Results from the analysis of the paleontological associations in the Luang Prabang Basin suggest that a continental communication between Laurussia and the Indochina Block existed during the Permian, allowing for migration of the terrestrial Dicynodon fauna.

Asian species of the genera Anahita Karsch 1879, Ctenus Walckenaer 1805 and Amauropelma Raven, Stumkat &amp;amp; Gray 2001(Arachnida: Araneae: Ctenidae)

Specimens of the spider family Ctenidae from South, East and Southeast Asia were examined. Thirteen new species aredescribed: Anahita jinsi spec. nov. (male, female; China, Sichuan); Ctenus martensi spec. nov. (male; Nepal), Ctenuscladarus spec. nov. (male; Burma), Ctenus theodorianum spec. nov. (male, female; Laos, Oudomxai), Ctenus lishuqiangspec. nov. (female; China, Sichuan), Ctenus holthoffi spec. nov. (male, female; Laos, Champasak), Ctenus bayeri spec.nov. (male; Laos, Champasak); Amauropelma beyersdorfi spec. nov. (male; India, Himachal Pradesh), Amauropelmastaschi spec. nov. (male; India, Uttar Pradesh), Amauropelma ekeftys spec. nov. (male, ?female; India, Meghalaya),Amauropelma hoffmanni spec. nov. (male, female; Laos, Luang Nam Tha), Amauropelma jagelkii spec. nov. (male,female; Laos, Luang Prabang), Amauropelma annegretae spec. nov. (male, female; Laos, Luang Prabang). Ctenus simplexThorell 1897 (Luang Prabang, Vientiane) and C. robustus Thorell 1897 (Luang Nam Tha, Luang Prabang) are recordedfor the first time from Laos, and the female of C. simplex is described for the first time. Ctenus ramosus Thorell 1887, C.robustus and C. palembangensis Strand 1906 as well as internal copulatory structures of Anahita fauna Karsch 1879 areillustrated for the first time. Anahita feai (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge 1902) comb. nov., A. jucunda (Thorell 1897) comb.nov., A. denticulata (Simon 1884) comb. nov., A. smythiesi (Simon 1897) comb. nov. and Amauropelma fungifer (Thorell1890) comb. nov. are transferred from the genus Ctenus. The nomina nova “Ctenus karschi” and “Ctenus tamerlani” proposed by Roewer (1951) are recognised as unavailable and thus invalid names.