RESEARCH REPORTThe NEF Bio-ecological Nature Conservation Project in Mountainous Regionof North Vietnam

Prepared by
REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN GROUP

Hanoi, September 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................1
1.1 Authors of the report ......................................................................................................1
1.2 Group name and names of all members.........................................................................1
2. RESEARCH ...................................................................................................................2
2.1 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................2
2.2 Background of the study ................................................................................................4
2.3. Literature review ...........................................................................................................4
2.3.1 Natural features of the study area ...............................................................................4
2.3.2 Overview of study sites ...............................................................................................6
2.4 Group’s purpose and subjects ......................................................................................12
2.5 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................132.5.1 Working schedule and study sites .............................................................................132.5.2 Methods .....................................................................................................................25
2.5.3 Taxonomic identification and data analysis .............................................................25
2.6 Results ..........................................................................................................................26
2.6.1. Species diversity of reptiles and amphibians ...........................................................26
2.6.2 Comparison of the herpetofaunal diversity ..............................................................39
2.6.3 Species of conservation concern ...............................................................................422.6.4 Ecological and conservation aspects ........................................................................46
2.7 Discussion ....................................................................................................................48
2.7.1 Biodiversity exploration ............................................................................................49
2.7.2 Conservation value ...................................................................................................49
2.7.3 Conservation issues ..................................................................................................49
2.8 References ....................................................................................................................51
2.9 Publications and products ............................................................................................54
3. EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS .......................................................54
3.1 Guiding principles for education and training .............................................................54
3.2 Achievement of each young scientist...........................................................................55
4. Appendices ....................................................................................................................57

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONSCITESConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora

CRES

Central Institute For Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam
National University, Hanoi

DARD

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

FPD

Forest Protection Department

GIS

Geographic Information System

HSCA

Habitat and Species Conservation Area

IEBR

Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature

MARD

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

NEF

Nagao Natural Environment FoundationNP

National ParkNR

Nature Reserve

PC

People’s Committee

VNMN

Vietnam National Museum of Nature

Photo credits: Photographs used on the cover page of this report: Evergreen forest in Phia
Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province (above); Rhacophorus kio, Tylototriton
ziegleri, Dopasia harti, and Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (below). Photos: Pham The
Cuong, 2020

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Authors of the report
Nguyen Quang Truong, Pham The Cuong, Le Trung Dung, Luong Mai Anh, Phan Quang
Tien & Do Hanh Quyen

1.2 Group name and names of all members
Group name:

Reptile and Amphibian Group (Herpetology)

Group leader:Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong (IEBR)
E-mail: nqt2@yahoo.com

Key researchers:

Dr. Pham The Cuong (IEBR)
E-mail: cuongiebr@gmail.com
Dr. Le Trung Dung (HNUE)
E-mail: letrungdung_sp@hnue.edu.vn

Research assistants:

Luong Mai Anh (PhD student, HNUE)
E-mail: luongmaianhsinhk62b@gmail.com
Phan Quang Tien (Master student, HNUE)
E-mail: quangtien120892@gmail.com
Do Hanh Quyen (Master student, HUS)
E-mail: quyendo.k59@gmail.com

12. RESEARCH

2.1 Abstract
This is the final report of a herpetological research, which was commissioned by the Nagao
Natural Environment Foundation, Japan. This project aims to explore the diversity andcommunity structure of the herpetofauna in the karst forests of northeastern Vietnam. This
report not only provides updated data about hereptofaunal diversity of four study sites but
also mentions concervation concerns that are essential to conservation planning forprotected areas as well as for the biodiversity protection in northern Vietnam. In addition,
the project also help to strengthen the professional capacity for young researchers inherpetology in Vietnam.
Eight field surveys were conducted by the between October 2018 and September 2021 innorthern Vietnam: two field trips in Cham Chu NR of Tuyen Quang Province, two field
trips Bac Me NR of Ha Giang Province, two field trips in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP of Cao
Bang Province, and two field trips Nam Xuan Lac HSCA of Bac Kan Province.
Taxonomic identification was based on morphological and molecular analyses.
Conservation concerns were evaluated based on direct observation in the field andinterview with local authorities and people.
Herpetofaunal exploration: Based on the specimen identification and direct observation in
the wild, a total of 126 species, comprising 65 species of reptiles and 61 species ofamphibians were recorded from four study sites in northeastern Vietnam. Remarkably, two
new species were discovered from Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, viz. Lycodon pictus andMegophrys caobangensis, and new provincial records were reported from northern
Vietnam.
• In Cham Chu NR, a total of 61 species (22 species of reptiles and 39 species ofamphibians) were documented and 17 species were recorded for the first time from
Tuyen Quang Province.
• In Bac Me NR, a total of 66 species (33 species of reptiles and 33 species ofamphibians) were documented and 20 of them were recorded for the first time fromHa Giang Province. The species composition of the herpetofauna of Bac Me NR issimilar to that of Cham Chu NR in Tuyen Quang Province.
• In Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, a total of 72 species (37 species of reptiles and 35 speciesof amphibians) was documented and 13 new provincial records for Cao Bang2

Province.
• In Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, a total of 53 species (22 species of reptiles and 31 speciesof amphibians) was documented and eight new provincial records for Bac Kan
Province.
• Species of conservation concern: 28 species are globally or nationally threatened at
different levels, including 12 species listed in Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007),
nine species listed in the IUCN Red List (2021), four species listed in the Vietnam
Governmental Decree No. 06/2019/ND-CP (2019), four species listed in CITES
appendices (2019), and 11 species are currently known only from Vietnam.
Education and training:• Luong Mai Anh, a PhD student of the Hanoi National University of Education, used
the amphibian collection from northern Vietnam for doctoral research. She
successfully defended her dissertation in June and will obtain the doctoral degree inthe end of 2021.
• Phan Quang Tien, a master student of the Hanoi National University of Education,used the collection of snakes from Tuyen Quang Province for his master thesis. He
obtained the master degree in December 2018.
• Do Hanh Quyen, a master student of the University of Science, Vietnam National
University, Hanoi, has used the collection of gecko specimens from northeastern
Vietnam for her master thesis. Her master course is expected to be complete in theend of 2021.
Conservation concern: Data about species richness, new findings and conservation valueof reptile and amphibian species from Cham Chu NR, Bac Me NR, Phia Oac-Phia Den NP
and Nam Xuan Lac HSCA underline the important role limestone karst forests inbiodiversity conservation in northern Vietnam. Based on this data, local authorities anddecision makers can develop a conservation plan for each species and an appropriate
operational plan for each nature reserve or at provincial level.
Publications: As a result of our research, we described two new species for science andreported a series of new provincial records of reptiles and amphibians from Vietnam. Five
articles were published in academic journals and another manuscript was recently
submitted to the Biodiversity Data Journal.

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2.2 Background of the study
Tropical rain forests are recognized as ideal natural laboratories for taxonomic, natural
history, and bio-geographic research (Dirzo & Raven 2003). Vietnam contains a large
proportion of tropical rain forests, which are mainly located on high mountains in thenorthern part of the country and Truong Son Range. A wide range of elevations and thecomplexity of landforms have given the montane region a great diversity of natural habitats
and a high level of biodiversity (Sterling et al. 2006). At present, a total of 770 species ofreptiles and amphibians have been recorded in Vietnam and approximately 190 new species
have been described from the country since 2010 (Frost 2021, Uetz et al. 2021). However,many species of reptiles and amphibians are under threat of extinction with anapproximately 15% of the total recorded species from Vietnam are listed in the globally or
nationally threatened categories due to habitat loss and degradation, overharvesting, andimpacts of climate change (IUCN 2021).
The NEF Bio-ecological Nature Conservation Project in Mountainous Region of North
Vietnam aims to explore the biodiversity and to evaluate conservation potentials of
limestone karst forests of northeastern Vietnam. As a part of this project, the herpetology
group intends to evaluate the species diversity, distribution pattern and conservation valueof reptiles and amphibians in four target protected areas, namely Cham Chu NR (Tuyen
Quang Province), Bac Me NR (Ha Giang Province), Phia Oac-Phia Den NP (Cao Bang
Province) and Nam Xuan Lac HSCA (Bac Kan Province).

2.3. Literature review
2.3.1 Natural features of the study area
Topography: The northeastern region’s geology is of largely south Chinese origin with hilly
and montane areas in the north and the Red River Delta in the south. The landscape here isformed by a combination of exposed ancient metamophic basement rock and eroded
marine sediments deposited in the late mid-Devonian (370–360 million years ago) andearly Triassic (245–224 million years ago) (Averyanov et al. 2003). Northeastern Vietnam
contains both karst and granite formations: Ngan Son and Bac Son are two large karst
formations, stand at 1000 m a.s.l., their hilltops rising between 100–600 m over theintervening lowland valleys and flat depressions. The karst formations are normally atelevation of 300–700 m, however nearer to the border with China they often reach 1400–
1600 m. A number of isolated granite mountain systems are Tay Con Linh (2419 m), Pu
4

Tha Ca (2274 m), Pia Da (1980 m), and Pia Oac (1930 m) (Averyanov et al. 2003). The
northeastern coastline is dotted by more than 2000 offshore islands in the Gulf of Tonkin(Sterling et al. 2006).
Climate: The northeastern region is charaterized by the monsoon tropical climate with cold
winter and summer rains. This coldness and seasonality is caused by the northeast monsoon
winds that bring cold air from the edge of the Tibetan Plateau into northern Vietnam in thewinter (from November to March). The hot weather and rain in summer result from thearrival of southwestern monsoon winds blowing in from southerly oceans. Average annual
temperature in the region are from 18oC to 23.5oC; average annual rainfall varies
considerably from 1343.5 mm (in Cho Ra, Bac Kan Province) to 2749.0 mm (in Huu Lung,
Lang Son Province); and the average annual humidity ranges between 81–84% (Nguyen etal. 2000) (Table 1).
Table 1. Climate stations in northeastern Vietnam
Name

Temperature (oC)Elevation(m a.s.l.)Rainfall (mm)AnnualaverageRangemonthly
averageAnnualaverageRangemonthly
average

Averageannualhumidity(%)

Ha Giang

118

22.7

15.4–27.8

2430.1

31.5–515.6

84

Nguyen Binh

208

20.3

12.3–26.1

1763.034.7–312.1

82

Cao Bang

258

21.6

14.0–27.3

1442.7

16.1–267.1

81

Trung Khanh

520

19.9

11.7–26.0

1646.4

31.6–301.5

81

Cho Ra210

22.0

14.1–27.5

1343.518.2–249.4

83

Ngan Son

566

20.1

12.3–25.7

1593.1

24.8–314.8

81Dinh Hoa

220

22.6

15.3–28.1

1666.914.8–315.1

83

Lang Son

258

21.2

13.3–27.0

1391.923.0–255.0

82

Huu Lung

40

22.8

15.3–28.4

2749.037.6–598.6

83

Source: Nguyen K. V. et al. (2000)

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Vegetation and habitats: The dominant habitat type in northeastern Vietnam is evergreen,
including both broad-leaved and coniferous plants (Averyanov et al. 2003). The forests
developed on highly eroded rocky limestone mountains are an important element of thenatural landscape in northeastern Vietnam, and house a number of endemic species. The
limestone forests are restricted to Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, and Lang
Son provinces in the mainland, as well as to many isolated islands in the Ha Long Bay.
Mangrove forests can also be found in coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Nam Dinhprovinces. Main dominants in these floristically richest forests are subendemic coniferous
trees: Pinus kwangtungensis, Pseudotsuga brevifolia, and Tsuga chinensis. Other rare
gymnosperm species like Amenthotaxus argotaenia, A. hatuyensis, A. yunnanensis;
Cupressus torulosa, Fokienia hodginsii, Kateleeria davidiana, Nageia fleurii, N.
wallichiana, Podocarpus brevifolius, P. neriifolius, Taxus chinensis, and Xanthocyparis
vietnamensis are also more or less regular components of the limestone forests innortheastern Vietnam (Averyanov et al. 2003).
2.3.2 Overview of study sites
Field surveys were conducted in four protected areas in northern Vietnam: Cham Chu
Nature Reserve in Tuyen Quang Province, Bac Me Nature Reserve in Ha Giang Province,
Phia Oac - Phia Den National Park in Cao Bang Province and Nam Xuan Lac Habitat andSpecies Conservation Area in Bac Kan Province. General information about study sites
was provided as the following, which was based on the Sourcebook of Existing andProposed Protected Areas in Vietnam: Second Edition (Birdlife International 2004) andofficial websites of provincial governments.
Cham Chu Nature Reserve
Management history: Cham Chu NR was established in 2001 by the Decision No 1536/QĐUBND of Tuyen Quang PC, however, without management board. An investment plan for
Cham Chu proposed nature reserve was prepared by Tuyen Quang Provincial FPD (2000).
The total area of the proposed nature reserve given in this investment plan is 58,187 ha,comprising a strict protection area of 17,904 ha and a forest rehabilitation area of 40,283
ha. Cham Chu was included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year
2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD, as a 58,187 ha nature reserve (FPD 2003). The NR
has been under the management of the Cham Chu Special-use Forest Management Board
since 2008.

6

Topography and hydrology: Cham Chu NR is located in Chiem Hoa and Ham Yen districts,
Tuyen Quang Province. The nature reserve is centred on Mount Cham Chu, which, at 1,587
m, is the highest point in Tuyen Quang province. Near Mount Cham Chu, there are several
other peaks above 1,000 m, although most of the proposed nature reserve is below 800 m
in elevation. In the southwest of the proposed nature reserve, about 8 km from Mount Cham
Chu, there is a large area of limestone karst, which is bisected by the Lo river.
The west of the proposed nature reserve is drained by the Lo river, while the east is drainedby the Gam river, which joins the Lo river upstream of Tuyen Quang town. The Lo riverjoins the Red River at Viet Tri City.
Biodiversity values: Cham Chu NR supports lowland evergreen forest, lower montane
evergreen forest and limestone forest. In November 1999, Fauna & Flora International andthe Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources conducted a rapid survey in Trung Ha
and Ha Lang communes, Chiem Hoa district (Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son
1999). This survey concentrated on the endemic and critically endangered Tonkin Snubnosed Monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus, which, prior to the survey, was only known tosurvive at Na Hang NR. Based on interview data and the remains of hunted animals, theauthors estimated that the Cham Chu area may support five groups of Tonkin Snub-nosed
Monkey, totalling 75 to 89 animals (Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son 1999).
Subsequent surveys have provided additional information about the Tonkin Snub-nosed
Monkey population at the site, and confirmed that Cham Chu NR is a globally importantsite for the conservation of this species.
Conservation issues: Tuyen Quang Provincial FPD (in litt. 2000) identified the main threats
to biodiversity at the site as illegal exploitation of forest products, clearance of forest for
agriculture, forest fire and hunting. Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son (1999)
received reports of five individuals of the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey being hunted there
between 1998 and 1999.
Bac Me Nature Reserve
Management history: In 1994, Ha Giang Provincial DARD prepared an investment planfor Bac Me, which proposed establishing a 27,800 ha special-use forest, comprising a strict
protection area of 9,450 ha, a forest rehabilitation area of 17,125 ha and an administrationand services area of 1,225 ha. This investment plan was approved by Official Letter No.
88/NL-TL of MARD, dated 8 March 1994, and by Decision No. 142/QD-UB of Ha Giang
Provincial People's Committee, dated on 22 April 1994. According to Bac Me Special-use
7Forest Management Board (in litt. 2003), the proposed nature reserve also contains anhistorical site, called Cang Bac Me (http://hagiang.gov.vn, 2020).
Topography and hydrology: Bac Me NR is situated in Bac Me District in southeastern Ha
Giang Province. The topography of the proposed nature reserve is mountainous, and there
are several peaks above 1,000 m, the highest of which is 1,420 m, on the border with Tuyen
Quang Province. The lowest point in the proposed nature reserve is under 200 m. Streams
originating in the north and west of the proposed nature reserve feed the Gam river, whichflows south, into Tuyen Quang Province, and eventually meets the Lo river. Streams
originating in the south-east of the proposed nature reserve feed the Pao Nam river, atributary of the Gam river.
Biodiversity values: Bac Me NR supports a representative example of the limestone forest
ecosystem typical of north-eastern Vietnam (Bac Me Special-use Forest Management
Board in litt. 2003). To date, however, the biodiversity of the site has not been
comprehensively surveyed.
Conservation issues: In 2003, around 7,000 people lived inside the nature reserve, and over
5,000 more lived in the buffer zone. The majority of these people belong to the H’Mong,
Tay and Dao ethnic groups. These people practice both fixed and shifting cultivation, andthere were 411 ha of wet rice land and 884 ha of hill agricultural land inside the nature
reserve (Bac Me Forest Enterprise in litt. 2000, Bac Me Special-use Forest Management
Board in litt. 2003). In recent years, human pressures on the proposed nature reserve haveincreased, particularly clearance of forest for agriculture.
Other documented values: Bac Me NR protects part of the catchment of the Gam river. In
addition, with its beautiful landscape and scenic caves, the nature reserve has potential for
ecotourism development. Furthermore, Bac Me NR includes the Cang Bac Me historicalsite, where political prisoners, including some senior members of the Vietnamese
Communist Party, were held by the French Colonial Regime, between 1938 and 1942 (Bac
Me Special-use Forest Management Board in litt. 2003).
Phia Oac - Phia Den National Park
Management history: Mount Phia Oac NR is located in Tinh Tuc Town and Quang Thanh,
Thanh Cong, Phan Thanh, Mai Long, Ca Thanh, Vu Nong and Hung Dao communes,
Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang Province (Tordoff et al. 2000). Mount Phia Oac wasincluded on Decision 194/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dated on 9
August 1986 (MARD 1997), which decreed the establishment of a 10,000 ha nature reserve8

for the protection of "subtropical mountain forests" (Cao Van Sung 1995). An investment
plan for Mount Phia Oac was prepared by the Vietnam Forestry University in 1994. This
investment plan was approved by Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee in the same
year. This investment plan proposed establishing a 13,312 ha nature reserve, comprising a5,244 ha strict protection area, a 8,053 ha forest rehabilitation area, and a 15 haadministration and services area (Anon. 1999).
Recently, Phia Oac - Phia Den was upgraded to the National Park by the Decision No.
57/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, dated on 11 January 2018. The national park has a total
area of 10,593.5 ha, located in Thanh Cong, Quang Thanh, Phan Thanh, Hung Dao
communes and Tinh Tuc Town of Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang Province(http://vpcp.chinhphu.vn, http://tapchimoitruong.vn, 2020).
Topography and hydrology: The NP is centred on Mount Phia Oac (1,931 m) andcharacterised by steep topography. In the west of the NP, there are patches of limestone
karst (Tordoff et al. 2000).
Biodiversity values: According to the investment plan (Anon. 1999), Mount Phia Oac NR
contained 11,839 ha of natural forest. However, 1998 land-use data provided by the Cao
Bang Provincial FPD and ground-truthed during a rapid field survey in 1999 indicated thatthe nature reserve supported only 3,174 ha of natural forest, which was mainly distributed
above 1,000 m. The forest has been subjected to high levels of disturbance in the past andis secondary in places. Natural regeneration does, however, appear to be taking place.
Below 700 m, the vegetation is dominated by scrub and grassland. In the west of the NP,
there were areas of limestone karst without forest, and, at lower elevations in the south,
there were Pinus massoniana plantations (Tordoff et al. 2000).
Mammal diversity at Mount Phia Oac has been severely reduced by hunting, and it would
appear that the site supports few viable populations of species of global conservation
importance. However, the area supports a number of bird species restricted to broadleaf
evergreen forest above 800 m, and may support one of the few remaining areas of suitable
habitat for such species in north-eastern Vietnam (Tordoff et al. 2000).
Conservation issues: Below 1,000 m, most of the natural forest in the NP has been clearedfor cultivation. Above, 1,000 m, however, the natural forest is distributed on steep hillsides
at high elevations, which are unsuitable for cultivation. Consequently, clearance for
agriculture is not a major threat to biodiversity at Mount Phia Oac (Tordoff et al. 2000).

9

Mount Phia Oac and the surrounding area are rich in minerals, particularly zinc. Mining
activities during the French colonial era resulted in clearance of large areas of forest andhigh levels of disturbance to remaining areas. Although these activities have now largely
ceased, the forest is under continued pressure from local people, who extract bamboo,
bamboo shoots, medicinal plants and firewood from the natinal park (Tordoff et al. 2000).
Another threat to biodiversity at Mount Phia Oac is hunting, as a result of which population
sizes of large and medium-sized mammal species have reportedly declined dramatically(Tordoff et al. 2000).
The proposed boundary defined in the investment plan for Mount Pia Oac (Anon. 1999)
includes 10,073 ha of non-forest land, a town, a zinc mine and several thousand people.
Consequently, both Wege et al. (1999) and Tordoff et al. (2000) recommended that theboundary be revised to exclude all areas of scrub, grassland, agricultural land andhabitation.
Other documented values: Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee are consideringdeveloping the area around Mount Pia Oac as a site for tourism. The potential for thedevelopment of tourism in the area is high for several reasons: the area is easily accessible
from Cao Bang town by surfaced road; there are several ruined French villas that could be
renovated; there is a colourful ethnic minority market in the area; and the summit of Mount
Pia Oac is easily accessible on foot (Tordoff et al. 2000).
Nam Xuan Lac HSCAManagement history: Nam Xuan Lac had not been included on any government decision
or official set of proposals regarding the national Special-use Forests system until the year
2000 (MARD 1997, FPD 2003). However, in 2001, a survey of Ban Thi and Xuan Lac
communes, Cho Don District, was conducted as part of the Creating Protected Areas for
Resource Conservation Using Landscape Ecology (PARC) Project. The objectives of thissurvey were to evaluate the biodiversity values of the site and to assess the suitability ofthe site for Special-use Forest status, either as part of a habitat extension of Na Hang
proposed nature reserve, or as a separate protected area. The survey revealed that the site
supports biodiversity of international importance (Le Trong Trai et al. 2001). Consequently,
Bac Kan Provincial FPD proposed establishing a 1,788 ha species/habitat conservation area(a sub-category of nature reserve), called Nam Xuan Lac, at the site (Bac Kan Provincial
FPD in litt. 2003).

10

In 2003, with the support of the PARC Project, Bac Kan Provincial FPD submitted a formal
proposal and five-year investment plan (2004-2008) to Bac Kan Provincial People's
Committee and MARD for the establishment of a species/habitat conservation area at Nam
Xuan Lac. This proposal was approved in November 2003 (PARC Project in litt. 2003).
With support from the PARC Project, Bac Kan Provincial FPD developed a trial
management structure for Nam Xuan Lac, which aimed to introduce a co-management
approach for the site. It was proposed that the management board included representativesof the provincial FPD, Xuan Lac commune and nearby villages in the buffer zone (PARC
Project in litt. 2003).
The Nam Xuan Lac SHCA was officially established by the Decision No. 342/QD-UB,
dated on 17 March 2004 by Bac Kan PC, with a total area of 1,788 ha, located in Na Da
and Ban Khang villages of Xuan Lac commune, Cho Don District. According to theDecision No. 109/QD-UB of Bac Kan PC, dated on 14 January 2014, the area of Nam
Xuan Lac HSCA was extended to 4,155.67 ha, comprising a core zone of 2,552.5 ha, arehabilitation zone of 1,586.12 ha and an administration zone of 9.04 ha(http://kiemlam.backan.gov.vn, 2020).
Topography and hydrology: Nam Xuan Lac is situated in western Bac Kan province. To
the west, the site is contiguous with the Ban Bung sector of Na Hang Nature Reserve. The
topography of the site is characterised by steep limestone karst formations, separated byflat-bottomed valleys.
Biodiversity values: In 2001, a globally endangered bird species, the White-eared Night
Heron Gorsachius magnificus, was recorded at the site (Le Trong Trai et al. 2001). This is
the first confirmed record of this restricted-range bird species in Vietnam since at least
1975, and indicates that Nam Xuan Lac may lie within the South-east China Mountains
Endemic Bird Area. Because of the occurrence of White-eared Night Heron, and theimportance of the site for biome-restricted bird species, some of which are known fromfew other sites in Vietnam, the site qualifies as an Important Bird Area, called Ban ThiXuan Lac (Tordoff 2002).
Le Trong Trai et al. (2001) recorded a number of other globally threatened species on thebasis of reports by local people, including the Francois's Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus
francoisi, a primate species endemic to northern Vietnam and southern China. Additional
surveys, by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, have also revealed that the11Nam Xuan Lac area is particularly important for several plant taxa, notably slipper orchids
Paphiopedilum.
Of particular significance, Nam Xuan Lac might support a population of the globally
critically endangered, endemic primate, the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Rhinopithecus
avunculus, or at least provide additional habitat for the population that occurs in the Ban
Bung sector of Na Hang Nature Reserve in Tuyen Quang Province. During a field survey
for the species in 1999, Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son (1999) received reports
of a group of 18 to 20 individuals, which ranged occasionally into forest in Xuan Lac
commune. During interviews with PARC Project staff in October 2003, residents of Na Da
village, near the north-western border of the site, stated that they had seen four or fiveindividuals at the site in 2002 (Bezuijen and Trinh Thang Long 2003).
Conservation issues: The principle threats to biodiversity at Nam Xuan Lac HSCA were
habitat fragmentation and loss, due to agricultural expansion and mining; and exploitationof wildlife, timber and non-timber forest products by local communities and mine workers
in and around the site (Le Trong Trai et al. 2001, Bezuijen and Trinh Thang Long 2003,
Momberg and Fredricksson 2003). Exploitation of forest products by local communities
and mine workers was for both domestic and commercial trade, particularly in the case of
wildlife (Bezuijen and Trinh Thang Long 2003, Nguyen Xuan Dang et al. 2003). The FPD
and the PARC Project had initiated environmental management activities with local
communities and mine companies in an attempt to address these issues.
Other documented values: Mining of non-ferrous metals has been conducted near thesouthern and eastern boundaries of the site for more than 80 years. In 2000s, most mining
operations were controlled by the Thai Nguyen Non-ferrous Metals Corporation,
consisting of four companies operating in three mine leases close to the site. Nam Xuan
Lac HSCA included 214 ha of the Pha Khao mine lease, and is adjacent to the Lung Chaymine lease (Bezuijen and Trinh Thang Long 2003). The mining corporation had agreed todevelop an environmental agreement with the FPD and appropriate management measures
to protect biodiversity within and near the proposed nature reserve (Bezuijen and Trinh
Thang Long 2003).

2.4 Group’s purpose and subjects
Purpose and subjects
1. This project aims to explore the diversity and community structure of the12herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) in the karst forests of northeastern Vietnam
based on morphological and molecular data with spatial information of species
assembly.
2. In addition, the project will help to strengthen the professional capacity for young
researchers in herpetology in Vietnam. Three students from the Institute of Ecology
and Biological Resources and Hanoi National University of Education will involvein this study in order to complete their doctoral and master degrees.
Objectives
Specific objectives of this study are:
1. To evaluate the species richness and genetic diversity of reptiles and amphibians inkarst forests of northeastern Vietnam.
2. To elucidate the functional composition of herpetological communities across abiogeographic gradient in northeastern Vietnam (i.e. Ngan Son and Bac Son karst
formations). It is expected to record about 100 species of reptiles and amphibians
from different studied sites.
3. To predict the potential distribution of some endemic or threatened species under
the influence of climate change;
4. To provide essential data for biodiversity conservation of the region. Based on the
results of our surveys and referred to the published literature we will define the hot
spots for the herpetofauna conservation in NE Vietnam. Criteria for hot spot
identification are as the following: 1) species richness, 2) number of rare, threatened
and/or endemic species, 3) forest area and habitat quality, and 4) human disturbancefactors. In each category, a higher number represents a better score (ranking scorebased on the number of survey sites).

2.5 Materials and Methods
2.5.1 Working schedule and study sites
Eight field surveys were conducted in Tuyen Quang Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Bac Kan
provinces in the three years, from October 2018 to September 2021.

- Trip 1 from 24 to 31 October 2018 in Cham Chu Nature Reserve, Nam Luong
Village, Phu Luu Commune, Ham Yen District, Tuyen Quang Province.

- Trip 2 from 12 to 19 April 2019 in Cham Chu Nature Reserve, Cao Duong Village,
13

Yen Thuan Commune, Ham Yen District, Tuyen Quang Province.

- Trip 3 from 24 to 31 May 2019 in Bac Me Nature Reserve, Minh Ngoc, ThuongTan, Lac Nong communes, Bac Me District, Ha Giang Province.

- Trip 4 from 14 to 21 October 2019 in Bac Me Nature Reserve, Minh Son and Minh
Ngoc communes, Bac Me District, Ha Giang Province.

- Trip 5 from 20 to 27 May 2020 in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Nguyen Binh
District, Cao Bang Province.

- Trip 6 from 24 to 31 August 2020 in Nam Xuan Lac Habitat and Species
Conservation Area, Cho Don District, Bac Kan Province.

- Trip 7 from 03 to 10 October 2020 in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Nguyen
Binh District.

- Trip 8 from 22 to 29 April 2021 in Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, Cho Don District.
For schedule of activities see Table 2. The coordinates of the sites were determined byusing the GPS Garmin 60CX (Table 2, Figs. 1–3).
Table 2. Information of survey sites in northeastern Vietnam
Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation(m)

Trip 1: Cham Chu NR, Tuyen Quang Province, from 24 to 31 October 201824/10

22o12.642’N, 105o02.962’E

124

Cave 122o18.185’N, 105o03.416’E

418Cave 222o12.239’N, 105o03.381’E

338Stream 1

22o12.322’N, 105o03.317’E

213

Cliff 122o20.996’N, 105o05.048’E

157

Cliff 222o20.871’N, 105o05.621’E

246

Stream 2

22o20.717’N, 105o05.495’E

286

Cliff 322o12.755’N, 105o04.047’E

388

Stream 3

22o12.728’N, 105o04.059’E

359

22o12.629’N, 105o03.925’E

240

22o12.603’N, 105o03.833’E

246

22o12.516’N, 105o04.895’E

315

22o12.445’N, 105o03.938’E

405

22o13.904’N, 105o02.666’E

420Camp 1: Nam Luong Village,
Phu Luu Commune

25/10

27/10

28/10

29/10

30/10

Stream 4

Cave 3
14

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation(m)Stream 5

22o13.978’N, 105o02.645’E

410

22o13.746’N, 105o02.766’E

374

26/10

Camp 2: Cham Chu Mountain

22o12.891’N, 105o04.647’E

980

26/10

Stream 6

22o12.565’N, 105o04.480’E

1024

22o12.466’N, 105o04.401’E

984

22o12.414’N, 105o04.423’E

981

22o12.462’N, 105o04.487’E

1023

22o12.891’N, 105o04.647’E

980

22o12.653’N, 105o04.536’E

1056

27/10

28/10

Stream 7

Forest path

Trip 2: Cham Chu NR, Tuyen Quang Province, from 12 to 19 April 201912/4

22o17.699’N, 104o59.310’E

685

Cave 122o17.349’N, 104o59.419’E

649

Cave 222o17.380’N, 104o59.438’E

664

Stream 1

22o17.329’N, 104o59.386’E

641

Stream 2

22o16.271’N, 104o59.501’E

631

22o16.167’N, 104o59.744’E

679

22o16.091’N, 104o59.831’E

750

Forest path 1

22o16.594’N, 104o59.561’E

650

Cave 322o18.036’N, 104o59.447’E

773

Cave 422o17.906’N, 104o59.623’E

641

Cliff 122o17.560’N, 104o59.535’E

685

Cave 522o17.587’N, 105o59.478’E

750

Stream 3

22o18.074’N, 104o59.087’E

679

22o17.588’N, 104o58.575’E

720

22o18.129’N, 104o59.384’E

693

22o18.266’N, 104o59.265’E

760

Pond 122o18.282’N, 104o59.192’E

785

Pond 2

22o18.333’N, 104o58.586’E

780

Pond 322o18.295’N, 104o59.013’E

776Camp 1: Cao Duong Village,
Yen Thuan Commune

13/4

14/4

15/4

16/4

Forest path 2

15

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation
(m)

17/4

Cave 622o17.128’N, 104o59.061’E

655

Pond 422o17.110’N, 104o59.117’E

644

Pond 522o17.100’N, 104o59.156’E

646

Stream 4

22o15.366’N, 104o59.143’E

705

22o15.255’N, 104o59.023’E

654

22o19.070’N, 104o58.669’E

640

22o19.230’N, 104o58.867’E

697

22o15.275’N, 104o59.175’E

698

22o16.476’N, 104o59.490’E

830

Stream 5

18/4

Forset path 3

Trip 3: Bac Me Nature Reserve, Ha Giang Province, from 24 to 31 May 201922o42.834’N, 105o11.268’E

217

22o42.528’N, 105o11.206’E

235

22o42.143’N, 105o10.916’E

369

22o41.991’N, 105o11.152’E

468

22o41.916’N, 105o11.169’E

520

22o43.102’N, 105o11.301’E

202

22o43.31’N, 105o11.304’E

209

Cliff 122o43.512’N, 105o12.213’E

175

Cliff 222o44.08’N, 105o12.03’E

169

Camp 2: Na Lai Village,

22o42.796’N, 105o15.626’E

1051

Stream 3

22o42.554’N, 105o15.110’E

655

Forest path 2

22o42.662’N, 105o15.494’E

834

Pond 122o42.893’N, 105o15.484’E

1005

Pond 222o42.920’N, 105o15.493’E

985

30/5

Camp 3: Lac Nong Commune

22o45.330’N, 105o15.353’E

195

30/5

Cave 122o45.657’N, 105o14.004’E

269

Cave 222o45.674’N, 105o14.009’E

285

24/5

Camp 1: Lung Cang Village,
Minh Ngoc Commune

25/5

Forest path 1

Stream 1

26/5

27/5

28/5

Steam 2Thuong Tan Commune
28/5

29/5

Trip 4: Bac Me NR, Ha Giang Province, from 14 to 21 October 2019
16

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation
(m)

14/10

22o50.828’N, 105o09.756’E

635

Stream 1S

22o51.087’N, 105o09.479’E

591

Stream 1F

22o50.974’N, 105o09.277’E

689

Stream 2S

22o50.823’N, 105o09.683’E

561

Stream 2F

22o50.913’N, 105o09.395’E

709

Cliff 122o51.056’N, 105o09.394’E

629

Cliff 222o50.965’N, 105o09.382’E

641

Forest path 1

22o51.144’N, 105o09.327’E

646

Camp1: Phieng Deng Village,
Minh Son Commune

15/10

16/10

17/10

18/10

19/10

o

o

Stream 3S

22 51.139’N, 105 09.137’E

693

Stream 3F

22o51.313’N, 105o09.247’E

616

o

o

Stream 4S

22 50.584’N, 105 08.961’E

863

Stream 4F

22o50.487’N, 105o08.894’E

938

Forest path 2

22o50.502’N, 105o08.912’E

912Stream 5S

22o50.438’N, 105o09.801’E

363

Stream 5F

22o50.385’N, 105o09.691’E

418

Forest path 3

22o50.535’N, 105o09.813’E

422

Stream 6S

22o50.908’N, 105o09.985’E

478

Stream 6F

22o50.905’N, 105o09.740’E

586Camp 2: Lung Cang Village,

22o42.834’N, 105o11.268’E

217

Stream 7S

22o42.650’N, 105o11. 219’E

242Stream 7F

22o42.473’N, 105o11. 204’E

275

Forest path 4

22o42.528’N, 105o11.206’E

235

22o42.143’N, 105o10.916’E

369

22o41.991’N, 105o11.152’E

468

22o41.916’N, 105o11.169’E

520

Minh Ngoc Commune
19/10

20/10

Stream 8

Trip 5: Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, Cao Bang Province, from 20 to 27 May 2020
21-26/05

22o36.394’N, 105o52.031’E

Surveying forest habitats
around Phia Oac mountain
17

1750

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation
(m)

21/05

Stream 1

Forest path 1

22/05

Stream 2

22o36.310’N, 105o52.133’E

1601

22o36.441’N, 105o52.116’E

1711

22o36.394’N, 105o52.031’E

1750

22o36.295’N, 105o52.121’E

1650

22o36.662’N, 105o53.036’E

1262

o

23/05

24/05

Forest path 2

Stream 3

Stream 4

25/05

26/05

Stream 6

Stream 7o

22 36.607’N, 105 52.862’E

1350

22o35.968’N, 105o52.906’E

1287

22o35.942’N, 105o52.424’E

1297

22o36.882’N, 105o52. 881’E

1226

22o36.834’N, 105o52. 739’E

1359

22o37.246’N, 105o52. 611’E

1159

22o37.236’N, 105o52. 505’E

1240

22o36.508’N, 105o52. 210’E

1566

22o36.526’N, 105o52. 095’E

1690

22o36.419’N, 105o52. 272’E

1517

22o36.507’N, 105o52. 211’E

1550

Trip 6: Nam Xua Lac HSCA, Bac Kan Province, from 24 to 31 August 202025-30/08

Binh Trai Ranger Station Area

25/08

Stream 1

26/08

22o16.503’N, 105o31.007’E
22o16.251’N, 105o30.390’E

696

22o16.270’N, 105o30.427’E

723

22o16.447’N, 105o31.456’E

650

22o16.484’N, 105o31.449’E

697

22o16.284’N, 105o30.194’E

646

22o16.380’N, 105o30.240’E

655

Forest path 1

22o16.216’N, 105o30.211’E

646

Forest path 2

22o15.303’N, 105o31.144’E

723

Stream 4

22o15.214’N, 105o31.126’E

709

22o15.182’N, 105o31.106’E

714

22o16.228’N, 105o31.115’E

740

22o16.165’N, 105o31.142’E

810

Stream 2
Stream 3

27/08

28/08

802

Stream 5

18

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation(m)o

22 17.413’N, 105 30.330’E

695

22o17.342’N, 105o30.185’E776

22o16.117’N, 105o30.548’E

747

22o16.270’N, 105o30.425’E

646

Pond 122o16.282’N,105o 31.202’E

699

Stream 7

22o16.295’N, 105o31.099’E

714

22o16.223’N, 105o31.090’E

762

Stream 6

29/05

30/08

o

Forest path 3

Trip 7: Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, Cao Bang Province, from 3 to 10 October 2020
04/10

05/10

06/10

07/10

08/10

22o36’29.9”N, 105o52’11.3”E1511

22o36’23.7”N, 105o52’16.9”E1574

22o36’39.7”N, 105o53’2.2”E1262

22o36’35.0”N, 105o52’47.4”E

1454

Forest path 1

22o36’36.7”N, 105o52’54.1’’E

1364

Stream 3

22o35’33.4”N, 105o52’51.9”E1229

22o35’26.2”N, 105o52’54.7”E1293

22o37.246’N, 105o52. 611’E

1159

22o37.236’N, 105o52. 505’E

1240

22o36’55.6” N, 105o51’49.5”E

1903

22o36’29.9”N, 105o52’11.3”E1574

22o36’33.0” N, 105o52’06”E1610

22o36’43.5”N, 105o52’05.3”E

1676

22o35’39.1”N, 105o53’ 06.2”E1257

22o35’43.6”N, 105o53’09.9”E

1300

22o36’29.9”N, 105o52’11.3”E1511

22o36’23.7”N, 105o52’16.9”E1574

22o36’39.7”N, 105o53’2.2”E1262

22o36’35.0”N, 105o52’47.4”E1454

22o36’36.7”N, 105o52’54.1’’E

1364

Stream 1

Stream 2

Stream 4

Forest path 2

Stream 5

09/10

04/10

05/10

Stream 6

Stream 1

Stream 2

Forest path 1
19

Date

Site

Coordinate

Elevation
(m)

06/10

Stream 3

22o35’33.4”N, 105o52’51.9”E1229

22o35’26.2”N, 105o52’54.7”E1293

Trip 8: Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, Bac Kan Province, from 24 to 31 April 2021
23-25/04

Ban Thi Commune

22o16’50.3”N, 105o29’31.6”E

288

23/04

Stream 1

22o15’51.6”N, 105o29’16.1”E342

22o16’0.8”N, 105o29’22.8”E371

22o14’45.1”N, 105o29’30.6”E276

22o14’45.5”N, 105o29’56.0”E434

22o16’23.1”N, 105o30’20.8”E652

22o16’38.7”N, 105o30’25.4”E659

22o17’15.6”N, 105o31’8.3”E864

22o17’35.2”N, 105o30’33.7”E746

22o13’55.3”N, 105o28’57.4”E388

22o14’10.4”N, 105o28’40.5”E

485

Forest path 1

24/04

Stream 2

Forest path 2

25/04

Forest path 326-28/04

Ta Vao Ranger Station Area

22o18’20.0”N, 105o33’49.1”E

278

26/04

Forest path 4

22o17’19.7”N, 105o33’14.6”E291

22o16’46.0”N, 105o33’20.0”E407

22o17’22.3”N, 105o33’17.9”E289

22o17’07.8”N, 105o33’25.7”E321

22o16’29.9”N, 105o33’17.2”E458

22o16’28.4”N, 105o33’17.0”E461

22o16’47.9”N, 105o33’21.5”E377

22o16’26.2”N, 105o33’12.6”E

537

27/04

28/04

Forest path 5

Stream 3

Stream 4

20

Figure 1. Map showing survey sites in Cham Chu Nature Reserve (Trip 1)

Figure 2. Map showing survey sites in Cham Chu Nature Reserve (Trip 2)

21

Figure 3. Map showing survey sites in Bac Me Nature Reserve (Trip 3)

Figure 4. Map showing survey sites in Bac Me Nature Reserve (Trip 4)22

Figure 5. Map showing survey sites in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP (Trip 5)

Figure 6. Map showing survey sites in Nam Xuan Lac (Trip 6)23

Figure 7. Map showing survey sites in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP (Trip 7)

Figure 8. Map showing survey sites in Nam Xuan Lac HSCA (Trip 8)24

2.5.2 Methods
Site selection: Survey transects were set up along streams, pools, small ponds or along theforest paths. Lizards and snakes usually inhabit rock crevices, under the leaf litter or ontree branches, we thus also surveyed some cave entrances and cliffs.
Sampling: Snakes, turtles, lizards, and few species of amphibians (e.g., toads) can be foundor observed during the day. However, most of amphibians and snakes are nocturnal,
therefore the bulk of our search effort was carried out in the evening from 18:00 to 24:00.
Most of specimens were collected by hand. Venomous snakes were collected by snake hookor snake tong, and lizards were collected by forceps. Collected amphibians were kept inplastic bags, while snakes and lizards were kept in cloth bags. After photographing in life,
common species (e.g., Gecko, Common Toad) were released at the collecting site, otherones were preserved for voucher specimens.
Specimen preservation:•

Euthanazia: Specimens were euthanized in a closed vessel with a piece of cottonwool containing ethyl acetate (Simmons 2002). For molecular analysis, tissue
samples of muscle and liver were preserved in 70% ethanol. The field tags waslabelled with an Indian ink, which are not ethanol- and water-soluble. Furthermore
the labels and thread were tearproof, ethanol- and waterproof. The field tags wereattached with a tearproof twine at the knee bend of lizards and amphibians or aroundthe neck in snakes.

•

Fixation: Specimens were arranged in a natural position and covered by tree-clothor blotting-paper, they were preserved in 80% ethanol for 3–10 hours. Specimens ofreptiles and large-sized amphibians were injected with 80% ethanol with ahypodermic needle into the body cavity to prevent internal rotting processes.

•

Specimen storage: Specimens were subsequently transferred into 70% ethanol for
longterm storage.

2.5.3 Taxonomic identification and data analysis
Specimen identification: Morphological comparisons were made with the voucher
specimens that are deposited in the collections of the Institute of Ecology and Biological
Resources and Vietnam National Museum of Nature in Hanoi. For taxonomic identification,
we used the following documents: Pope (1935), Smith (1935, 1943), Taylor (1962, 1963),
Inger et al. (1999), Bain & Nguyen (2004), Bain et al. (2003, 2007), Bourret (2009),
Nguyen (2011), Pham et al. (2012), Mcleod et al. (2015), Pham et al. (2016), Ye et al.
25

(2017), Luong et al. (2019), Yu et al. (2019), Nguyen et al. (2020) and other relevant papers.
Species names followed Nguyen et al. (2009), Frost (2021), Uetz et al. (2021), and somerecently published papers.
Molecular analysis was also applied to compare genetic divergence between species of thespecies complex for new species description or between tadpoles and mature individuals
in amphibian species.
Conservation status of threatened species was referred to the Vietnam Red Data Book
(2007); IUCN Red List (2021); CITES appendices (2019); the Governmental Decree No.
06/2019/ND-CP; and the Governmental Decree No. 64/2019/ND-CP. The endemic speciesof Vietnam are species that currenly known only from Vietnam.
Statistic analysis: The software PAST (Hammer et al. 2001) was used to calculate diversity
indices and cluster analysis. The Sorensen-Dice Index was used to compare the similarityof the species composition between two sites based on the presence/absence of the species
with the formula: djk = 2M/(2M+N), where M is the number of species found in both areas
and N is the total number of species found in each area only.

2.6 Results
2.6.1. Species diversity of reptiles and amphibians
Species diversity: Based on specimen identification and direct observations in the fields,
we recorded a total of 126 species, comprising 65 species of reptiles and 61 species ofamphibians from four protected areas in northeastern Vietnam (Table 3). For species list ofeach study site see Appendices. Remarkably, two new species were discovered from Phia
Oac-Phia Den NP, northern Vietnam, viz. Lycodon pictus and Megophrys caobangensis.
These new species were described based on morphological differences and molecular data.
In terms of species diversity, Colubridae is the most diverse family (26 recorded species),
followed by Rhacophoridae (18 species), Megophryidae (16 species), Scincidae (14species), Ranidae (10 species), Scincidae and Dicroglossidae (8 species each), Viperidae
and Microhylidae (6 species each), Agamidae (5 species), Gekkonidae (4 species),
Elapidae (3 species), Pareatidae and Salamandridae (2 species each), Pareatidae andElapidae (2 species each), Anguidae, Lacertidae, Typhlopidae, Xenodermidae,
Geoemydidae, and Bufonidae (1 species each) (Fig. 9).

26

Table 3. List of reptile and amphibian species recorded from four study sites innortheastern Vietnam
No

1.

Scientific nameCommon name

REPTILEREPTILESSQUAMATASQUAMATASAURIA

LIZARDS

Agamidae

Agamid Lizards

Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Cuvier,
1829)

Brown Pricklenape2.

Acanthosaura sp.

Pricklenape

3.

Draco maculatus (Gray, 1845)

Spotted Flying Dragon

4.

Pseudocalotes brevipes (Werner, 1904)

Vietnam False
Bloodsucker

5.

Physignathus cocincinus Cuvier, 1829

Green Water Dragon

Gekkonidae

Geckos6.

Gekko palmatus Boulenger, 1907

Palm Gecko

7.

Gekko reevesii (Gray, 1831)

Reeves’ Tokay Gecko

8.

Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836

Common House Gecko

9.

Hemidactylus platyurus (Schneider,1797)

Flat-tailed House Gecko

Scincidae

Skinks

10. Ateuchosaurus chinensis Gray, 1845

Study site
1

2

3

4

+

+

+

+

+
+
+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+
+

+

+
+

+
+

Chinese short-limbed
skink

+

Eutropis longicaudatus (Hallowell,
1857)

Longtail Mabuya

+

+

+

+

12. Eutropis macularius (Blyth, 1853)

Bronze Mabuya

+

+

+

+

13. Eutropis multifasciatus (Kuhl, 1820)

Common Sun Skink

14. Plestiodon quadrilineatus Blyth, 1853

Four-striped Skink

15. Scincella reevesii (Gray 1838)

Reeves’ Smooth Skink

11.

27

+
+
+

No

Scientific nameCommon nameStudy site
1

2

3

16. Scincella sp1.

Smooth Skink

17. Scincella sp2.

Smooth Skink+

18. Scincella sp3.

Smooth Skink+

19. Lygosoma sp.

Short-limbed Skink++

Sphenomorphus cryptotis Darevsky,
Orlov & Ho, 2004

Depressed-eared Forest
Skink

21. Sphenomorphus indicus (Gray, 1853)

Himalayan Forest Skink

22. Tropidophorus hainanus Smith, 1923

Hainan Water Skink

Tropidophorus murphyi Hikida, Orlov,
Nabhitabhata & Ota, 2002

Murphy’s water skink+

Hart's Glass Lizard+

Asian Grass Lizard

+

20.

23.

4

+

+
+

+

+

+

Anguidae
24. Dopasia harti (Boulenger, 1899)
Lacertidae
25. Takydromus sexlineatus Daudin, 1802
SERPENTESSNAKES

Typhlopidae

Blind snakes

26. Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803)
Colubridae

Flowerpot Snake+

Colubrids

27. Ahaetulla prasina (Boie, 1827)

Oriental Whip Snake

28. Boiga kraepelini Stejneger, 1902

Kelung Cat Snake

29. Boiga multomaculata (Boie, 1827)

Many-spotted cat snake+

30. Boiga guangxiensis Wen, 1998

Cat snake+Calamaria pavimentata Duméril,Bibron & Duméril, 1854

Collared Reed Snake

32. Coelognathus radiatus (Boi, 1827)

Radiated Ratsnakes

31.

33.

Gonyosoma coeruleum Liu & Hou &Lwin & Wang & Rao 2021

Green Ratsnake
28

+

+

+
+

+

+
+
+

No

Scientific nameCommon nameStudy site
1

2

3

+

+

34. Hebius sp.

Keelback

35. Hebius chapaensis (Bourret, 1934)

Vietnam Water Snake

36. Hebius boulengeri (Gressitt, 1937)

Boulenger’s keelback+

37. Lycodon fasciatus (Anderson, 1879)

Banded Wolf Snake+

38. Lycodon futsingensis (Pope, 1928)

Futsing Wolf Snake+

39. Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935)

Wolf snake

40. Lycodon sp.

Wolf snake

41. Pseudoxenodon sp.

Bamboo Snake

42. Oligodon taeniatus (Günther, 1861)

Striped kukri snake+

43. Oligodon sp1.

Kukri snake+

44. Oligodon sp2.

Kukri snake

4

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

45.

Opisthotropis lateralis Boulenger,
1903

Tonkin Mountain
Keelback+46.

Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor,
1839)

Red Bamboo Snake+

47. Elaphe moellendorffi (Boettger, 1886)

Flower Snake

+

+

+

48. Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837)

Chinese Ratsnake

+

+

+

49. Ptyas major (Günther, 1858)

Chinese Green Snake

50. Ptyas multicinctus (Roux, 1907)

Many-banded Green

+

Snake

51.

Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel,
1837)

Red-necked Keelback

52.

Trimerodytes percarinatus (Boulenger,
1899)

Eastern Water Snake

Pareatidae

Slug Snake

53. Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)+

Hampton's Slug Snake
29

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

No

Scientific name

54. Pareas margaritophorus (Jan, 1866)
Xenodermidae
55. Achalinus sp.
ElapidaeCommon nameStudy site
1

Mountain Slug Snake

2

3

+

Burrowing Snake
Burrowing Snake+

Kraits

56. Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801)

Banded Krait++

57. Naja atra Cantor, 1842

Chinese cobra++

58. Calliophis maculiceps (Günther, 1858)

Speckled Coral Snake

Viperidae
59.

Protobothrops mucrosquamatus(Cantor, 1839)+

VipersBrown Spotted Pitviper+

Protobothrops maolanensis Yang,
Orlov & Wang, 2011

Mao-lan pitviper

61. Ovophis monticola (Günther, 1864)

Chinese Mountain
Pitviper62. Trimeresurus albolabris Gray 1842

White-lipped Pitviper+

63. Trimeresurus stejnegeri Schmidt, 1925

Chinese Green Tree
Viper

+

Trimeresurus yunnanensis Schmidt,
1925

Yunnan Bamboo
PitviperTESTUDINESTURTLES

Geoemydidae

Pond Turtles

60.

64.

65. Cuora mouhotii (Gray, 1862)

1.

2.

4

+

AMPHIBIANS

ANURA

FROGS

Bufonidae

Toads

Duttaphrynus melanostictus(Schneider, 1799)

Asian Common Toad

Megophryidae

Asian Toads

Leptobrachella minima (Taylor, 1962)

Asian Toad

30

+

+
+
+

+
+
+

Keeled Box Turtle

AMPHIBIA

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

No

Scientific name3.

Leptobrachella nahangensis (Lathrop,
Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)

Common nameStudy site
1

2

Nahang Asian Toad

+

+

4.

Leptobrachella nyx (Ohler,
Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix,
Vences, Ziegler & Dubois, 2011)

Asian Toad

+

+

5.

Leptobrachella petrops (Rowley, Dau,
Hoang, Le, Cutajar, Nguyen, 2017)

Stone Litter Toad+

Sung’s Toad+

6.

Leptobrachella sungi (Lathrop,
Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)

3

4
+

+

+

7.

Leptobrachella sp.

Toad

8.

Leptobrachella sp1.

Toad

9.

Leptobrachella sp2.

Toad

+

10. Leptobrachella sp3.

Toad

+

11.

Leptobrachium chapaense (Bourret,
1937)

+
+

Chapa Spadefoot Toad+

Spadefoot Toad+

Cao Bang SpadefootToad+

14. Megophrys feae Boulenger, 1887

Kakhien Hill Frog+

15. Megophrys maosonensis Bourret, 1937

Maoson Horned Toad

+

+

+

+

Megophrys microstoma (Boulenger,
1903)

Asian Mountain Toad

+

+

+

+

12. Leptobrachium sp.
13.

16.
17.

Megophrys caobangensis Nguyen,
Pham, Nguyen, Luong & Ziegler, 2020

Megophrys palpebralespinosa Bourret,
1937
Microhylidae

Tonkin Spadefoot Toad+

Rice frogs

18. Microhyla butleri Boulenger, 1900

Butler's Rice Frog

19. Microhyla fissipes Boulenger, 1884

Ornamented Pygmy
Frog

20. Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911

Heymon's Narrowmouthed Frog
31

+

+

+
+

+

+

+

+

No

Scientific nameCommon nameStudy site
1

2

3

4

+

+

+

21. Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

Guangdong Rice Frog+

22. Microhyla sp.

Narrow-mouthed Frog+

23. Microhyla sp1.

Narrow-mouthed Frog

24.
25.
26.

Dicroglossidae

Fork-tongued frogs

Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst,
1829)

Grass Frog

+

+

+

+

Common Lowlanfrog

+

+

+

+

Banna Large-headed
Frog

+

+

+

+

Limborg's Frog+

Nguyen Large-head
Frog

+
+

+

Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Wiegmann,
1834)
Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei &Jiang, 2007

27. Limnonectes limborgi (Sclater, 1892)
28.

+

Limnonectes nguyenorum McLeod,
Kurlbaum & Hoang, 201529. Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889)

Boulenger's Spiny Frog

30. Quasipaa delacouri (Angel, 1928)

Doi Chang Asian Frog++

Quasipaa verrucospinosa (Bourret,
1937)

Granular Spiny Frog++

Ranidae

True Frogs
+

+

+

+

31.

32. Amolops ricketti (Boulenger, 1899)

Chinese Sucker Frog+

33. Amolops sp.

Cascade Frog+

34. Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1875)

Green Cascade Frog+

Odorrana lipuensis Mo, Chen, Wu,
Zhang & Zhou, 2015

Lipu Cascade Frog+

36. Odorrana nasica (Boulenger, 1903)

Tonkin Huia Frog

+

+

35.

+
+

37.

Odorrana tiannanensis (Yang & Li,
1980)

Big-eared Frog

+

+

38.

Odorrana geminata Bain, Stuart,
Nguyen, Che & Rao, 2009

Geminated Cascade
Frog

+

+

+

Johns's Frog

+

+

+

39. Rana johnsi Smith, 1921

32

+

+

No

Scientific nameCommon nameStudy site
1

2

3

4

40. Sylvirana guentheri (Boulenger, 1882)

Gunther's Amoy Frog

+

+

+

+

41. Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret, 1937

Maoson Frog

+

+

+

+

Rhacophoridae
42. Gracixalus gracilipes (Bourret, 1937)
43.

Gracixalus nonggangensis Mo, Zhang,Luo, Zhou & Chen, 2013

44. Rohanixalus vittatus (Boulenger, 1887)

Flying Frogs
Chapa Bubble-nest Frog+

Nonggang Treefrog
Two-striped Pigmy
Treefrog++

45.

Kurixalus hainanus (Zhao, Wang &Shi, 2005)

Hainan Small Treefrog

+

+

+

+

46.

Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell,
1861

Hong Kong Whipping
Frog

+

+

+

+

Burmese Whipping
Frog

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

47. Polypedates mutus (Smith, 1940)
48.

Raorchestes parvulus (Boulenger,
1893)

Karin bubble-nest Frog

49.

Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme,
2006

Black-webbed Treefrog

50.

Rhacophorus larissae Ostroshabov,
Orlov & Nguyen, 2013

Larisa Treefrog

51.

Rhacophorus orlovi Ziegler & Köhler,
2001

Orlov's Treefrog

52.

Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu,
1960

Red-webbed Treefrog

53. Rhacophorus sp.

+
+
+

+

+

+

Treefrog+

54.

Theloderma corticale (Boulenger,
1903)

Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog+

55.

Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu & Hu,
1962)

Dotted Bubble-nest
Frog

+

56.

Theloderma rhododiscus (Liu & Hu,
1962)

Warty Treefrog

57. Zhangixalus dennysi (Blanford, 1881)+

Denny's Whipping Frog
33

+

+

+

+
+

+

+

No

Scientific name58. Zhangixalus puerensis (He, 1999)

Common name1

2

Puere Treefrog

Zhangixalus pachyproctus Yu, Hui,
Hou, Wu, Rao & Yang, 2019

Treefrog

Salamandridae

Salamanders

60.

Paramesotriton guangxiensis (Huang,
Tang & Tang, 1983)

Guangxi Warty Newt

61.

Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa, Matsui& Nguyen, 2013

Ziegler's Knobby Newt

59.

Study site

Total

3

4

+
+

+

+

61

+

+

66

72

53

Study site: 1: Cham Chu NR, 2: Bac Me NR, 3: Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, 4: Nam Xuan Lac SHCA

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Figure 9. Species diveristy of the reptile and amphibian families in study sitesa) Cham Chu Nature Reserve
Species diversity: We recorded a total of 61 species, comprising 22 species of reptiles and 39
species of amphibians from Cham Chu Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang Province (Table 3).
New provincial records: 17 species were recorded for the first time from Tuyen Quang
Province, comprissing 6 species of reptiles (Calamaria pavimentata, Opisthotropis
34

lateralis, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Hebius sp., Protobothrops mucrosquamatus,
Trimererusus stejnegeri) and 11 species of amphibians (Leptobrachella minima,
Leptobrachella nyx, Leptobrachella sungi, Megophrys microstoma, Limnonectes limborgi,
Limnonectes nguyenorum, Odorrana lipuensis, Odorrana nasica, Rhacophorus kio,
Rhacophorus orlovi, and Zhangixalus smaragdinus) (Table 3).
In terms of species richness, Ranidae and Rhacophoridae are the most diverse families (10recorded species each), followed by Colubridae (9 species), Megophryidae andDicroglossidae (7 species each), and Scincidae (5 species) (Fig. 10).
Because the herpetofauna of Cham Chu Nature Reserve is relatively diverse (61 species)
and it is difficult to identify the precise names for all species in the field, it is impossible toestimate the population size or abundance of each species. However, we recorded somespecies that have a high frequency of occurrence (encountered more than 10 individuals):
Leptolalax sungi, Microhyla pulchra, Fejervarya limnocharis, Limnonectes bannaensis,
and Polypedates megacephalus. It is noted that three unidentified species are still under
examination (e.g., Achalinus sp., Hebius sp., Microhyla sp., Amolops sp.) (Table 3).
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Figure 10. Species diveristy of the reptile and amphibian families in Cham Chu NRb) Bac Me Nature Reserve
Species diversity: We recorded a total of 66 species, comprising 33 species of reptiles and
33 species of amphibians from Bac Me Nature Reserve, Ha Giang Province (Table 3).
New provincial records: 20 species were recorded for the first time from Ha Giang
35

Province, comprissing 13 species of reptiles (Draco maculatus, Eutropis macularius,
Sphenomorphus cryptotis, Indotyphlops braminus, Boiga multomaculata, Boiga
guangxiensis, Hebius chapaensis, Orthriophis moellendorffi, Ptyas multicinctus, Pareas
margaritophorus, Bungarus fasciatus, Naja atra, Trimeresurus albolabris) and sevenspecies of amphibians (Leptobrachella minima, L. nahangensis, L. sungi, Odorrana nasica,
Polypedates mutus, Rhacophorus orlovi, Zhangixalus dennysi).
In terms of species diversity, Colubridae is the most diverse family (13 recorded species),
followed by Ranidae and Rhacophoridae (8 species each), Megophryidae (7 species),
Scincidae and Dicroglossidae (5 species each), Gekkonidae, Viperidae and Microhylidae(3 species each), Pareatidae and Elapidae (2 species each), Typhlopidae, Bufonidae andSalamandridae (1 species each) (Fig. 11).
Because the herpetofauna of Bac Me Nature Reserve is relatively diverse (66 species) and
it is difficult to identify the precise names for all species in the field, it is impossible toestimate the population size or abundance of each species. However, we recorded somespecies that have a high frequency of occurrence (encountered more than 10 individuals):
Leptolalax sungi, Fejervarya limnocharis, Limnonectes bannaensis, Kurixalus bisacculus
and Polypedates megacephalus. It is noted that three unidentified species are still under
examination (e.g., Oligodon sp., Leptobrachella sp.) (see Table 3).

14
12

10
8
6
4
2
0

Figure 11. Species diveristy of the reptile and amphibian families in Bac Me NR
36c) Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park
Species diversity: We recorded a total of 72 species, comprising 37 species of reptiles and
35 species of amphibians from Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province(Table 3).
New provincial records: 12 species were recorded for the first time from Cao Bang
Province, comprissing nine species of reptiles (Ateuchosaurus chinensis, Eutropis
macularius, Gonyosoma coeruleum, Hebius chapaensis, Calliophis maculiceps, Ovophis
monticola, Trimeresurus albolabris, T. yunnanensis, Cuora mouhotii) and three species ofamphibians (Leptobrachella nyx, Theloderma rhododiscus, Zhangixalus puerensis). A a
result of this research, a new amphibian species (Megophrys caobangensis) and anothernew snake (Lycodon pictus) were described from Cao Bang Province by our working group.
In terms of species diversity, Colubridae is the most diverse family (11 recorded species),
followed by Scincidae (10 species), Megophryidae and Rhacophoridae (9 species each),
Ranidae (7 species), Viperidae and Dicroglossidae (4 species), Agamidae, Elapidae, andMicrohylidae (3 species each), Gekkonidae and Salamandridae (2 species each), Anguidae,
Lacertidae, Pareatidae, Geoemydidae, Bufonidae (1 species) (Fig. 12).
Because the herpetofauna of Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park is relatively diverse (72species) and it is difficult to identify the precise names for all species in the field, it is
impossible to estimate the population size or abundance of each species. However, werecorded some species that have a high frequency of occurrence (encountered more than
10 individuals): Fejervarya limnocharis, Gracixalus gracilipes, Kurixalus hainanus andPolypedates megacephalus. It is noted that six unidentified species are still under
examination (e.g., Acanthosaura sp., Scincella sp., Lygosoma sp., Leptobrachella sp.,
Leptobrachium sp.) (see Table 3).

37

12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Figure 12. Species diveristy of the reptile and amphibian families in
Phia Oac-Phia Den NPd) Nam Xuan Lac HSCA
Species diversity: We recorded a total of 53 species, comprising 22 species of reptiles and
31 species of amphibians from Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, Bac Kan Province (Table 3).
New provincial records: eight species were recorded for the first time from Bac Kan
Province, comprising one species of reptiles (Boiga guangxiensis) and seven species ofamphibians (Microhyla butleri, Leptobrachella nahangensis, Quasipaa boulengeri,
Odorrana lipuensis, Rana johnsi, Gracixalus nonggangensis, Rhacophorus orlovi).
In terms of species diversity, Rhacophoridae is the most diverse family (11 recorded species),
followed by Colubridae (9 species), Microhylidae, Megophryidae, and Ranidae (5 specieseach), Gekkonidae and Dicroglossidae (4 species each), Scincidae (3 species), Agamidae,
Gekkonidae, and Viperidae (2 species each), Pareatidae and Bufonidae (1 species each) (Fig.
13).

38

12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Figure 13: Species diveristy of the reptile and amphibian families in
Nam Xuan Lac HSCA
2.6.2 Comparison of the herpetofaunal diversitya) Between study sites
Statistic analysis showed that the herpetofauna of Cham Chu NR is most similar to thoseof Bac Me NR and Nam Xuan Lac HSCA (Sorensen-Dice index >0.5, djk = 0.67717
and 0.59459, respectively) and they are embedded in the same clade (Table 4, Fig. 14).
This can be explained based on the similarities in habitat and elevation as well as theclosely geographic position between Cham Chu NR and Bac Me NR/Nam Xuan Lac
HSCA.
The herpetofauna of Phia Oac-Phia Den NP differs from those of Cham Chu NR and
Nam Xuan Lac HSCA (Sorensen-Dice index < 0.5, djk = 0.45455 and 0.44628,
respectively) (Table 4, Fig. 14). This can be explained based on the difference in habitatand elevation between Phia Oac-Phia Den NP (containing both limestone karst forestand granitic forest, at elevations between 1000 and 1900 m) with Cham Chu NR and
Nam Xuan Lac HSCA (characterized by limestone karst forest only, at elevations lower
than 1000 m).
39

Table 4. Comparison of the species composition of the herpetofaunas between study
sites (Sorensen-Dice similarity index)
Site

Cham Chu

Bac MePhia Oac-Phia Den

Cham Chu

1

Bac Me0.67717

1

Phia Oac-Phia Den

0.454550.55474

1

Nam Xuan Lac

0.59459

0.603450.44628

Nam Xuan Lac

1Figure 14. Cluster analysis of the species composition of the herpetofaunas between
study sites (bootstrap value: 1000 replications)b) Between study sites and other limestone karst forests in northeastern Vietnam
Based on data of previous studies, i.e. Nguyen Quang Truong et al. (2018), Pham Thi
Kim Dung et al. (2015), Lehmann (2012), Pham et al. (2017), Nguyen Quang Truong
et al. (2018), Nguyen Thien Tao et al. (2018) and this study, we compare theherpetofaunal diversity of the Cham Chu NR, Bac Me NR, Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, andNam Xuan Lac HSCA with those of adjacent areas: Sinh Long-Lam Binh forest (Tuyen
Quang Privince), Kim Hy NR (Bac Kan Province), Phia Oac-Phia Den NP and Ha Langforest (Cao Bang Province), and Cat Ba NP (Hai Phong City). However, it is noted thenumber of recorded species from the afore mentioned areas is depended on various
aspects, for example the area of forest, habitat quality, and survey effort. At present,40

only preliminary results on the herpetofaunal diversity of Kim Hy NR and Ha Langforest are available for comparison.
Statistic analysis showed that the herpetofaunas of four study sites differ from those of
Cat Ba NP, Kim Hy NR and Ha Lang forest (Sorensen-Dice index, djk ranged between
0.3721 and 0.4477) (Table 5, Fig. 15). The herpetofauna of Cat Ba NP is distinct fromthose of four target sites in this study because Cat Ba habitat is characterized bylimestone karst forest on islands in the Gulf of Tonkin, that separated from the mainland.
Table 5. Comparison of the species composition of the herpetofaunas between study
sites and other limestone karst forests in northeastern (Sorensen-Dice similarity index)

Site

Cham
Chu

Bac
Me

Phia
Oac-Phia
Den

Nam
Xuan Lac

Ha
Lang

Kim
Hy

Sinh
LongLam

Cat
Ba

Bnh

Cham Chu

1

Bac Me0.6772

1

Phia OacPhia Den

0.4546

0.5547

1

Nam XuanLac

0.60000.60870.45001

Ha Lang

0.41380.38020.36510.4423

1

Kim Hy0.47270.5044

0.41670.55100.5192

1Sinh LongLam Binh

0.47620.43640.43480.4516

0.34340.3871

1

Cat Ba0.37210.44770.35970.41020.39020.49570.339341

1

Figure 15. Cluster analysis of the species composition of the herpetofaunas between
study sites and other limestone karst forests in northeastern Vietnam (bootstrap value:
1000 replications)
2.6.3 Species of conservation concern
Among 127 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from four study sites innortheastern Vietnam, 28 species are globally or nationally threatened at different levels(Table 6).
• Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007): 12 species, with one species categorized as CR,
five species as EN, and six species as VU.
• IUCN Red List (2021): Nine species, with three species categorized as EN, four
species as VU, and two species as NT.
• Governmental Decree No. 06 (2019): Four species listed in the Group IIB.
• CITES (2020): Four species listed in the Appendix II.
• Endemism: 11 species are currently known only from Vietnam.

42

Table 6. List of threatened and endemic species recorded from four study sites

No

Scientific name

RBVN
(2007)

IUCN(2021)VU

VU

Decree CITES
Endemic
06 (2019) (2019)

Study sites
1

2

3

4

+

+

Reptiles1.

Physignathus
cocincinus

2.

Gekko palmatus

3.

Gekko reevesii

4.

Tropidophorus
murphyi+5.

Sphenomorphus
cryptotis+

6.

Oreocryptophis
porphyraceus

VU

+

7.

Elaphe moellendorffi

VU

+

+

+

8.

Ptyas korros

EN

+

+

+

9.

Coelognathus
radiatus

VU

+

+

10.

Bungarus fasciatus

EN

+

+

11.

Naja atra

EN

+

+

12.

Cuora mouhotii

+
+

+

VU

+

VU

IIB

II

EN

IIB

II

+

+

+

+

Amphibia
13.

Leptolalax
nahangensis

+

+

+
+

14.

Leptobrachella nyx

+

+

15.

Leptobrachella
petrops++

16.

Megophrys
caobangensis

+

43

+
+

+

No

Scientific name

RBVN

IUCN

DecreeCITES(2007)(2021)

06 (2019)(2019)

1

17.

Megophrys
palpebralespinosa

18.

Limnonectes
nguyenorum

19.

Quasipaa boulengeri

20.

Quasipaa delacouri

21.

Quasipaa
verrucospinosa

22.

Odorrana geminata

23.

Rhacophorus kio

24.

Rhacophorus
larissae

25.

Theloderma
corticale

26.

Theloderma
rhododiscus

NT

27.

Paramesotriton
guangxiensis

EN

IIB

II

28.

Tylototriton ziegleri

VU

IIB

II

+

9

4

4

11

Total

Study sites

Endemic

2

CR

4

+

+

+

EN

+

EN

+

+

+

NT

+

+

VU

+

+

EN

EN

+

+

+

+

+

12

3

+

+

+

+

13

+

+

14

14

8

RBVN (2007) = Vietnam Red Data Book. Part I. Animals. Descriptions of nationally endangered
species of wild animals: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerabale. IUCN (2020) = The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerabale, NT = Near Threatened. Decree
06 (2019) = Governmental Decree No. 06/2019/ND-CP, dated on 22 January 2019, by theGovernment of Vietnam on the management of endangered wild flora and fauna: Group IB =prohibit exploitation and use for commercial purpose and Group IIB = limit exploitation and use
for commercial purpose. CITES (2019) = Convention on International trade in Edangered speciesof wild fauna and flora. Study site: 1: Cham Chu NR, 2: Bac Me NR, 3: Phia Oac-Phia Den NP,
4: Nam Xuan Lac SHCA
44a) Cham Chu Nature Reserve
Among 61 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from Cham Chu NR, 13 species areglobally or nationally threatened at different levels (Table 6):• Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007): six species, namely Ptyas korros (EN),
Quasipaa delacouri (EN), Rhacosphorus kio (EN), Theloderma corticale (EN)
Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (VU) and Elaphe moellendorffi (VU).
• IUCN Red List (2021): two species, namely Odorrana geminata (VU) andQuasipaa verrucospinosa (NT).
• Endemism: Six species, Sphenomorphus cryptotis, Leptolalax nahangensis,
Leptobrachella nyx, Leptobrachella petrops, and Limnonectes nguyenorum, arecurrently known only from Vietnam.
b) Bac Me Nature Reserve
Among 66 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from Bac Me NR, 14 species areglobally or nationally threatened at different levels (Table 6):• Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007): Six species, namely Ptyas korros (EN),
Bungarus fasciatus (EN), Quasipaa delacouri (EN), Physignathus cocincinus (VU),
Orthriophis moellendorffi (VU) and Coelognathus radiatus (VU).
• IUCN Red List (2021): Five species, namely Physignathus cocincinus (VU), Najaatra (VU), Odorrana geminata (VU), Tylototriton ziegleri (VU) and Quasipaa
verrucospinosa (NT).
• Decree No. 06 (2019): Two species, namely Naja atra (IIB) and Tylototriton ziegleri(IIB).
• CITES (2020): Two species, namely Naja atra (II) and Tylototriton ziegleri (II).
• Endemism: Six species Gekko palmatus, Sphenomorphus cryptotis, Leptobrachella
nahangensis, Leptobrachella nyx, Quasipaa delacouri and Tylototriton ziegleri are
currently known only from Vietnam.
c) Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park
Among 72 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, 14
species are globally or nationally threatened at different levels (Table 6).
• Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007): Two species, namely Bungarus fasciatus (EN),Naja atra (EN), Megophrys palpebralespinosa (CR).

45

• IUCN Red List (2021): Six species, namely Naja atra (VU), Cuora mouhotii (EN),
Quasipaa boulengeri (EN), Theloderma rhododiscus (NT), Paramesotriton
guangxiensis (EN) and Tylototriton ziegleri (VU).
• Decree 06 (2019): Three species, namely Naja atra (IIB), Cuora mouhotii (IIB),
Paramesotriton guangxiensis (IIB), and Tylototriton ziegleri (IIB).
• CITES (2019): Three species, namely Naja atra (II), Cuora mouhotii (II),Paramesotriton guangxiensis (II) and Tylototriton ziegleri (II).
• Endemism:

SevenspeciesGekkopalmatus,

Tropidophorus

murphyi,

Leptobrachella nyx, Megophrys caobangensis, Rhacophorus larissae andTylototriton ziegleri are currently known only from Vietnam.
d) Nam Xuan Lac HSCA
Among 53 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, eightspecies are globally or nationally threatened at different levels (Table 6).
• Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007): five species, namely Gekko reevesii (VU),
Coelognathus radiates (VU), Orthriophis moellendorffi (VU), Ptyas korros (EN),and Rhacophorus kio (EN).
• IUCN Red List (2021): One species, namely Quasipaa boulengeri (EN).
• Endemism: Two species Gekko palmatus and Leptobrachella nahangensis are
currently known only from Vietnam.
2.6.4 Ecological and conservation aspects
Threats to the populations of reptiles and amphibians in four study sites are habitat
loss/degradation and illegal wildlife hunting.
Some parts of natural forest have been converted into agricultural land (planting fruit trees
or rice/corn fields). Ore mining activities have also influenced the natural forest in Phia
Oac-Phia Den National Park. Negative impacts on habitat and population of wildlife
species are timber logging and non-timber forest product exploitation, cattle raising andelectronic fishing.
Some species of reptiles and amphibians were collected by local people for food, forexample: Physignathus cocincinus, Coelognathus radiatus, Orthriophis moellendorffi,
Ptyas korros, Naja atra, Cuora mouhotii, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Hoplobatrachus
rugulosus, Limnonectes bannaensis, Quasipaa boulengeri, Quasipaa verrucospinosa,
Odorrana chloronota, Zhangixalus dennysi, Zhangixalus pachyproctus…
46a) Cham Chu Nature Reserve
Habitat loss and degradation: Some parts of natural forest in Phu Luu commune have been
degraded by cultivated activities (planting fruit trees) of local people. Cultivated activities
have negative impacts on habitat of wildlife species. Direct observation in the field showedthat natural forest in Cham Chu has been fragmented and degraded. The populations ofsome native species of hardwoods have been declined as a result of timber logging in thepast. Exploitation of plants for different puroposes is a major cause of natural habitat
degradation, particularly the sensitive ecosystem like limestone karst forest.
Illegal wildlife hunting: Hunting activities are uncommon in the Cham Chu NR. Only few
cases of collecting reptiles and amphibians for food were seen during our surveys.
b) Bac Me Nature Reserve
Habitat loss and degradation: Some parts of natural forest in Minh Son, Minh Ngoc, and
Lac Nong communes have been degraded by cultivated activities (corn fields) of local
people and ore mining in Minh Son Commune, and that has negative impacts on habitat ofwildlife species. Direct observation in the field showed that natural forest in Bac Me NR
has been fragmented, habitat quality has been degraded, and populations of some native
species of hardwoods have been declined as a result of timber logging in the past.
Exploitation of plants for different puroposes is a major cause of natural habitat degradation,
particularly the sensitive ecosystem like limestone karst forest.
Illegal wildlife hunting: Hunting activities are uncommon in the Bac Me NR. Only few
cases of collecting reptiles and amphibians for food were seen during our survey.
c) Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park
Habitat loss and degradation: Some parts of natural forest in Quang Thanh and Thanh Cong
communes have been degraded by cultivated activities (rice and corn fields). Ore mining
activities have also influenced the natural forest in Thanh Cong Commune and Tinh Tuc
Town. Direct observation in the field showed that natural forest in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP
has been fragmented, habitat quality has been degraded, and populations of some native
species of hardwoods have been declined as a result of timber logging in the past.
Exploitation of plants for different puroposes is another cause of natural habitat
degradation.
Illegal wildlife hunting: Hunting activities are uncommon in the Phia Oac-Phia Den NP.
Only few cases of collecting reptiles and amphibians for food were seen during our survey.
47d) Nam Xuan Lac HSCA
Habitat loss and degradation: Some parts of natural forest in Xuan Lac and Ban Thi
communes have been degraded by cultivated activities (corn fields) of local people and ore
mining near Binh Trai Ranger Station, and that has negative impacts on habitat of wildlife
species. Direct observation in the field showed that natural forest in Bac Me NR has been
fragmented, habitat quality has been degraded, and populations of some native species of
hardwoods have been declined as a result of timber logging in the past. Exploitation ofplants for different puroposes is a major cause of natural habitat degradation, particularly
the sensitive ecosystem like limestone karst forest.
Illegal wildlife hunting: Hunting activities are uncommon in the Nam Xuan Lac HSCA.
Only few cases of collecting reptiles and amphibians for food were seen during our survey.
Priority localities for conservation
To define the priority localities for conservation actions in each study sites, we use a tally
technique to rank the quality of all survey sites. The following criteria will be used: species
richness, estimated forest area, habitat quality, and human disturbance. In each criterion, ahigher number represents a better score. According to our evaluation, the relative value ofeach site is ranked as follows: Phia Oac - Phia Den NP with 15 points, Bac Me NR (13points), Cham Chu NR (eight poits), and Nam Xuan Lac SHCA with the lowest value offour points (Table 7).
Table 7. Evaluation of priority localties for conservation in four study sites
Site

SpeciesNumber of endemic
richness and threatened species

Forest area/
habitat quality

Human
Total
disturbance

Cham Chu

2

2

2

2

8

Bac Me

3

4

3

3

13

Phia Oac - Phia Den

4

3

4

4

15

Nam Xuan Lac

1

1

1

1

4

In Cham Chu NR, two priority locations for conservation are Cham Chu Mountain andforest near Cao Duong Village of Yen Thuan Commune. In Bac Me NR, two priority
locations for conservation are forest near Na Lai Village of Thuong Tan Commune andforest near Phieng Den Village of Minh Son Commune. In Phia Oac-Phia Den NR, apriority location for conservation is Phia Oac Mountain. In Nam Xuan Lac SHCA, apriority location for conservation is forest near Binh Trai Ranger Station.
48

2.7 Discussion
2.7.1 Biodiversity exploration
A total of 126 species, comprising 65 species of reptiles and 61 species of amphibians fromfour study sites. In Cham Chu NR, a total of 61 species (22 species of reptiles and 39
species of amphibians) was documented and 17 of them were recorded for the first timefrom Tuyen Quang Province. In Bac Me NR, a total of 66 species (33 species of reptiles
and 33 species of amphibians) was documented and 20 of them were recorded for the firsttime from Ha Giang Province. In Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, a total of 72 species (37 speciesof reptiles and 35 species of amphibians) was documented and 13 of them were recorded
for the first time from Cao Bang Province. Remarkably, two new species were discoveredfrom Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, viz. Lycodon pictus and Megophrys caobangensis. In Nam
Xuan Lac HSCA, a total of 53 species (22 species of reptiles and 31 species of amphibians)
was documented, eight of them were recorded for the first time from Bac Kan Province.
The herpetofaunas of study sites are relative similar to each other and somehow distinct
from those of other limestone karst forests in northeastern Vietnam.
2.7.2 Conservation value
The herpetofaunas of four study sites in northeastern Vietnam contain a high level ofconservation concern. Among 126 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians from study
sites, 28 species (approximately 22%) are globally or nationally threatened at different
levels. In Cham Chu NR, we recorded 13 threatened species, comprising two species listed
in the Vietnam Red Data Book, six species listed in the IUCN Red List, and six species areendemic to Vietnam. In Bac Me NR, we recorded 14 threatened species, comprising six
species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book, five species listed in the IUCN Red List, two
species listed in the Governmental Decree No. 06 , two species listed in CITES and six
species are endemic to Vietnam. In Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, we recorded 14 threatened
species, comprising two species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book, six species listed in
the IUCN Red List, three species listed in the Governmental Decree No. 06, three species
listed in CITES and seven species are endemic to Vietnam. In Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, werecorded 8 threatened species, comprising five species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book,
one species listed in the IUCN Red List and two species is endemic to Vietnam.
2.7.3 Conservation issues
Data about species richness, new findings, and conservation value of reptile and amphibian
species in Cham Chu NR (Tuyen Quang Province), Bac Me NR (Ha Giang Province), Phia
49

Oac-Phia Den NP (Cao Bang Province) and Nam Xuan Lac SHCA (Bac Kan Province)
underline the important role limestone karst forests in biodiversity conservation in northern
Vietnam. Based on this data, provincial authorities (i.e. Department of Agriculture andRural Development, Forest Protection Department) and decision makers can develop
conservation program for each species and an appropriate operational plan for each nature
reserve or at provincial level in the following aspects:• Target species of conservation: If a species is under the risk of extinction (e.g.,
habitat loss/degradation or population decline), it should be included in the list ofprotected species. In addition, urgent conservation measures should be applied toprotect the endangered species. We recently prepared a proposal for listing of all
salamander species in Vietnam, including Paramesotriton spp. and Tylototriton spp.,
in the CITES Appendix II and the Group IIB of the Governmental Decree No. 06 in2019 as well as the the Governmental Decree No. 84 in 2021. These species were
found in the project area. Other species of reptiles, for example Cuora mouhotii,
Naja atra, Physignathus cocincinus or the species endemic to Vietnam(Tropidophorus

murphyi,

Leptobrachellanyx,

Megophrys

caobangensis,

Rhacophorus larissae, Tylototriton ziegleri) should be considered as flagshipspecies of conservation in four protected areas.
• Priority sites of conservation: The site that habours a high level of species diversity,a high number of threatened/endemic species and provides a suitable habitat for
wildlife species should be considered as priority sites of conservation. In this study,priority localties for conservation were ranked based on site assessment as thefollowing: Phia Oac-Phia Den NP (15 points), Bac Me NR (13 points), Cham Chu
NR (8 points), and Nam Xuan Lac SHCA (4 points). The same method could be
apllied to identify the priority sites of conservation based on the data of all groups.
• Conservation activities: The follow up actions could be conducted at the nature
reserve, for instance habitat protection and restoration, improvement ofmanagement and patrolling activities, control of wildlife hunting and illegal trade,and of awareness programs. Afore mentioned activities should be included in theoperational plan of four protected areas for the period 2021-2025.
• Establishment of the conservation corridor: Isolated forest patches could be linked
in order to create green corridors or extend habitat for wildlife species. Proposed
green corridors could be identifed based on research findings of other biological and
GIS groups.
50

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species of the Limnonectes kuhlii complex from northern Vietnam (Anura:
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Nguyen T. Q., Pham C. T., Nguyen T. T., Luong A. M., Ziegler T. (2020). A new species ofMegophrys (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa 4722(5):401−422.
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53

2.9 Publications and products
Three papers were published in ISI journals by the herpetology group:
Janssen H.Y., Pham C.T., Ngo H.T., Le M.D., Nguyen T.Q., Zielger T. (2019): A new
species of Lycodon Boie, 1826 (Serpentes, Colubridae) from northern Vietnam.
Zookeys, 875: 1–29.
Truong Quang Nguyen, Cuong The Pham, Tao Thien Nguyen, Anh Mai Luong &Thomas Ziegler (2020): A new species of Megophrys (Amphibia: Anura:
Megophryidae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa, 4722: 401–422.
Dzung Trung Le, Loc Thi Nguyen, Minh Duc Le, Cuong The Pham & Truong Quang
Nguyen (2021): Tadpole description of Leptobrachella petrops (Rowley, Dau, Hoang,
Le, Cutajar et Nguyen, 2017) (Anura: Megophryidae), an endemic species ofVietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 28(3):145–151.
Two papers were published in the Vietnamese journals by our working group:
Pham The Cuong, Nguyen Quang Truong, Luong Mai Anh, Phan Quang Tien & Le
Trung Dung (2019): New records of cascade frogs (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae:
Odorrana) from Tuyen Quang Province. Pp. 173–177. In: Proceedings of the fourth
National Scientific Conference on Amphibians and Reptiles in Vietnam. Publishing
House for Science and Technology, Hanoi.
Pham The Cuong, Phan Quang Tien, Do Trong Dang, Nguyen Quang Truong (2019):
New provincial records of the genus Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae)
from Vietnam. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 41(2se1&2se2): 169–176.
Another manuscript was submitted to Biodiversity Data Journal in August 2021:
Anh Mai Luong, Quyen Hanh Do, Chung Van Hoang, Tien Quang Phan, Truong
Quang Nguyen & Cuong The Pham (under review): New records of amphibians fromBac Kan Province, Vietnam. Biodiversity Data Journal.

3. EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS

3.1 Guiding principles for education and training
Three young scientists have been involved in this project, one PhD student and one masterstudent from Hanoi National University of Education and another master student from54

Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In order to strengthen the professional capacity foryoung researchers in herpetology in Vietnam, students were participated in the fieldsurveys, specimens examination in laboratory and data analysis for publication.
PhD student:
Research of Luong Mai Anh, a PhD student of the Hanoi National University of Education,
focuses on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the amphibian family
Megophryidae in Vietnam.
Master students:
Research of Phan Quang Tien, a master student of the Hanoi National University of
Education, focused on the herpetofaunas of some selected forest areas in Quang Ninh andTuyen Quang provinces.
Research of Do Hanh Quyen, a master student of the Vietnam National University (Hanoi),
focuses on slender geckos of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus.
3.2 Achievement of each young scientist
Luong Mai Anh used the collection of amphibians from Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Cao Bang,and Bac Kan provinces for morphological and molecular analyses. She successfully
defended the dissertation in June and will obtain the doctoral degree in the end of 2021.
Luong Mai Anh is a co-author of two papers:
Pham The Cuong, Nguyen Quang Truong, Luong Mai Anh, Phan Quang Tien & Le
Trung Dung (2019): New records of cascade frogs (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae:
Odorrana) from Tuyen Quang Province. Pp. 173–177. In: Proceedings of the fourth
National Scientific Conference on Amphibians and Reptiles in Vietnam. Publishing
House for Science and Technology, Hanoi.
Nguyen T.Q., Pham C.T., Nguyen T.T., Luong A.M. & T. Ziegler T. (2020): A new
species of Megophrys (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa, 4722:
401–422.
Phan Quang Tien used the collection of snakes from Tuyen Quang Province as a part ofmaterials for his master thesis. He obtained the master degree in December 2018. Phan
Quang Tien is a co-author of two papers:
Pham The Cuong, Nguyen Quang Truong, Luong Mai Anh, Phan Quang Tien & Le
Trung Dung (2019): New records of cascade frogs (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae:
Odorrana) from Tuyen Quang Province. Pp. 173–177. In: Proceedings of the fourth55

National Scientific Conference on Amphibians and Reptiles in Vietnam. Publishing
House for Science and Technology, Hanoi.
Pham The Cuong, Phan Quang Tien, Do Trong Dang, Nguyen Quang Truong (2019):
New provincial records of the genus Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae)
from Vietnam. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 41(2se1&2se2): 169–176.
Do Hanh Quyen has used the collection of gecko specimens from northeastern Vietnam forher master thesis and it is expected to be complete in the end of 2021.

56

4. Appendices
Appendix 1. Illustrational plates
Appendix 1.1: Cham Chu Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang Province
Figure 1. a & b) Limestone karst forests in Cham Chu Nature Reserve

Figure 2. a & b) Survey team in the field in Cham Chu Nature Reserve

Figure 3. New records of reptiles from Tuyen Quang: a) Calamaria pavimentata, b)
Opisthotropis lateralis

Figure 4. New records of reptiles from Tuyen Quang: a) Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, b)
Hebius chapaensis

Figure 5. New records of reptiles from Tuyen Quang: a) Protobothrops mucrosquamatus,b) Trimererusus stejnegeri

Figure 6. New records of amphibians from Tuyen Quang: a) Leptobrachella minima (male),b) Leptobrachella minima (female), c) Leptobrachella nyx, d) Leptobrachella sungi, e)
Megophrys microstoma, f) Limnonectes limborgi, g) Limnonectes nguyenorum, h)Odorrana nasica

Figure 7. New records of amphibians from Tuyen Quang: a) Odorrana lipuensis (male),b) Odorrana lipuensis (female), c) Rhacophorus orlovi (male), d) Rhacophorus orlovi(female), e) Rhacophorus kio, f) Zhangixalus smaragdinus

57Appendix 1.2: Bac Me Nature Reserve, Ha Giang Province

Figure 8. a) Karst forest in Bac Me NR, Ha Giang Province, b & c) Hatbitat types in Bac
Me NR, d & e) Survey team in the field

Figure 9. a) Acanthosaura lepidogaster, b) Draco maculatus, c) Pseudocalotes brevipes

Figure 10. a) Physignathus cocincinus b) Gekko palmatus, c) Hemidactylus frenatus

Figure 11. a) Eutropis longicaudatus, b) Sphenomorphus cryptotis, c) Tropidophorus
hainanus

Figure 12. a) Ahaetulla prasina, b & c) Boiga guangxiensis (adult & juveniles), d) Boiga
multomaculata, e) Lycodon meridionalis, f) Trimerodytes percarinatus, g) Pareas
hamptoni, g) Protobothrops maolanensis

Figure 13. a) Duttaphrynus melanostictus, b) Leptobrachella sp., c) Leptobrachella
nahangensis , d) Leptobrachella minima, e) Leptobrachella nyx , f) Leptobrachella sungi,g) Megophrys microstoma, h) Megophrys maosonensis

Figure 14. a) Microhyla heymonsi, b) Microhyla pulchra, c) Fejervarya limnocharis, d)Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, e & f) Limnonectes bannaensis (male & female), g) Quasipaa
delacouri, h) Quasipaa verrucospinosa

Figure 15. a) Amolops ricketti, b) Odorrana chloronota, c) Odorrana geminata, d)Odorrana nasica, e) Odorrana tiannanensis, f) Rana johnsi, g) Sylvirana maosonensis, h)Sylvirana guentheri

Figure 16. a) Kurixalus hainanus, b) Polypedates mutus, c) Polypedates megacephalus, d)Raorchestes parvulus, e) Rhacophorus orlovi, f) Rhacophorus rhodopus, g) Zhangixalus
dennysi, h) Tylototriton ziegleri

58

Appendix 1.3: Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province

Figure 17. a) Forest in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, Cao Bang Province b, c & d) Hatbitat types
in Phia Oac-Phia Den NP, e) Survey team in the field

Figure 18. a) Tropidophorus hainanus, b) Dopasia harti, c) Ptyas multicinctus, d)Gonyosoma prasinum, e) Hebius chapaensis, f) Lycodon fasciatus, g) Lycodon futsingensis,h) Lycodon meridionalis.
Figure 19. a) Trimerodytes percarinatus, b) Pareas hamptoni, c) Bungarus fasciatus, d)Naja atra, e) Protobothrops mucrosquamatus, f) Ovophis monticola, g) Trimeresurusalbolabris, h) Cuora mouhotii.

Figure 20. a) Duttaphrynus melanostictus, b) Leptobrachella nyx, c) Leptobrachiumchapaense, d) Megophrys microstoma, e) Megophrys maosonensis, f) Megophrys
palpebralespinosa, g) Microhyla heymonsi, h) Microhyla pulchra.

Fingure 21. a) Limnonectes bannaensis, b) Quasipaa boulengeri, c) Amolops ricketti, d)Odorrana nasica, e) Rana johnsi, f) Gracixalus gracilipes.

Fingure 22. a) Kurixalus hainanus, b) Rhacophorus larissae, c) Theloderma rhododiscus,d) Zhangixalus puerensis, e) Paramesotriton guangxiensis, f) Tylototriton ziegleri.

59

Appendix 1.4: Nam Xuan Lac HSCA, Bac Kan Province

Fingure 23. Hatbitat types in Nam Xuan Lac HSCA.

Fingure 24. Survey team in the field.

Fingure 25. a) Acanthosaura lepidogaster, b) Pseudocalotes brevipes, c) Gekko palmatus,d) Hemidactylus frenatus.

Fingure 26. a) Ahaetulla prasina, b) Boiga guangxiensis, c) Lycodon meridionalis, d)Trimerodytes percarinatus, e) Pareas hamptoni , f) Trimeresurus stejnegeri.

Fingure 27. a) Duttaphrynus melanostictus, b) Microhyla butleri, d) Microhyla heymonsi,c) Microhyla pulchra, d) Leptobrachella sp., e) Leptobrachella nahangensis g) Megophrys
maosonensis, h) Megophrys microstoma.

Fingure 28. a) Fejervarya limnocharis, b) Limnonectes bannaensis, c) Quasipaa
boulengeri, d) Odorrana chloronota, f) Odorrana lipuensis, e) Rana johnsi, f) Sylvirana
maosonensis, h) Gracixalus nonggangensis.

Fingure 29. a) Kurixalus hainanus, b) Polypedates megacephalus, c) Raorchestes parvulusd) Rhacophorus kio, e) Rhacophorus orlovi, f) Theloderma albopunctatum, g) Zhangixalus
pachyproctus, h) Zhangixalus dennysi.

60

Appendix 2: List of reptiles and amphibians recorded from study sites
Table 1. List of reptiles and amphibians recorded from Cham Chu Nature Reserve,
Tuyen Quang Province
No

1.

2.

Scientific nameCommon name

REPTILEREPTILESSQUAMATASQUAMATASAURIA

LIZARDS

Agamidae

Agamid Lizards

Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Cuvier,
1829)
Pseudocalotes brevipes (Werner, 1904)

Brown Pricklenape

Trip 1

Trip 2(10/2018)(4/2019)++

Vietnam False+

Bloodsucker

Gekkonidae

Geckos3.

Gekko palmatus Boulenger, 1907

Palm Gecko

+

+

4.

Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836

Common House Gecko++

Scincidae

SkinksLongtail Mabuya

+

+

5.

Eutropis longicaudatus (Hallowell,
1857)

6.

Eutropis macularius (Blyth, 1853)

Bronze Mabuya+

7.

Scincella reevesii (Gray 1838)

Reeves’ Smooth Skink+

Sphenomorphus cryptotis Darevsky,

Depressed-eared Forest

Orlov & Ho, 2004

Skink

Tropidophorus hainanus Smith, 1923

Hainan Water SkinkSERPENTESSNAKESColubridae

Colubrids

8.
9.

10. Ahaetulla prasina (Boie, 1827)
11.

12.

Calamaria pavimentata Duméril,Bibron & Duméril, 1854*

Oriental Whip Snake
Collared Reed Snake

Opisthotropis lateralis Boulenger,

Tonkin Mountain

1903*

Keelback
61

+
+

+

+
+

+

No

13.

Scientific name
Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor,
1839)*

Common name

Trip 1

Trip 2(10/2018)(4/2019)

Red Bamboo Snake+

14. Elaphe moellendorffi (Boettger, 1886)

Flower Snake+

15. Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837)

Chinese Ratsnake+

16.

Trimerodytes percarinatus (Boulenger,

Eastern Water Snake+

17. Hebius sp.*

Keelback+

18. Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)

Hampton's Slug Snake+

19. Achalinus sp.*Burrowing Snake

+

1899)

Viperidae
20.

VipersProtobothrops mucrosquamatus(Cantor, 1839)*

Brown Spotted Pitviper+

21. Trimeresurus albolabris Gray 1842

White-lipped Pitviper+

22. Trimeresurus stejnegeri Schmidt, 1925*

Chinese Green Tree Viper+

AMPHIBIA

1.

2.
3.

AMPHIBIANS

ANURA

FROGS

Bufonidae

Toads

Duttaphrynus melanostictus(Schneider, 1799)

Asian Common Toad

Megophryidae

Asian Toads

Leptobrachella minima (Taylor, 1962)*

Asian Toad

Leptobrachella nahangensis (Lathrop,
Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)

Nahang Asian Toad

+

+

+
+

+

Leptobrachella nyx (Ohler, Wollenberg,
4.

Grosjean, Hendrix, Vences, Ziegler &Asian Toad+

Dubois, 2011)*
5.
6.

Leptobrachella petrops (Rowley, Dau,
Hoang, Le, Cutajar, Nguyen, 2017)
Leptobrachella sungi (Lathrop,

Stone Litter Toad++

Sung’s Toad

+

+

62

No

Scientific nameCommon name

Trip 1

Trip 2(10/2018)(4/2019)

Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)*
7.
8.

9.

Megophrys maosonensi Bourret, 1937
Megophrys microstoma (Boulenger,
1903)*

Narrow-mouthed Frog+

Butler's Rice Frog+

Dicroglossidae
Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst,
1829)
Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Wiegmann,
1834)
Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei &Jiang, 2007

16. Limnonectes limborgi (Sclater, 1892)*
17.

Limnonectes nguyenorum McLeod,
Kurlbaum & Hoang, 2015*18. Quasipaa delacouri (Angel, 1928)
19.

Quasipaa verrucospinosa (Bourret,
1937)
RanidaeHeymon's Narrow-+

mouthed Frog
Guangdong Rice Frog+

Fork-tongued frogs
Grass Frog++

Common Lowlanfrog++

Banna Large-headed Frog++

Limborg's Frog+

Nguyen Large-head Frog+

Doi Chang Asian Frog+

Granular Spiny Frog

+

+

+

True Frogs

20. Amolops ricketti (Boulenger, 1899)

Chinese Sucker Frog+

21. Amolops sp.

Cascade Frog+

22. Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1875)

Green Cascade Frog

+

23.

+

Microhyla sp.

12. Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

15.

+

Rice frogs

11. Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911

14.

Asian Mountain Toad+

Microhylidae

10. Microhyla butleri Boulenger, 1900

13.

Maoson Horned Toad

Odorrana lipuensis Mo, Chen, Wu,
Zhang, and Zhou, 2015*

Lipu Cascade Frog

63

+
+

Trip 1

Trip 2(10/2018)(4/2019)

Big-eared Frog++

Geminated Cascade Frog+

27. Rana johnsi Smith, 1921

Johns's Frog+

28. Sylvirana guentheri (Boulenger, 1882)

Gunther's Amoy Frog++

29. Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret, 1937

Maoson Frog

+

+

No

Scientific nameCommon name

24. Odorrana nasica (Boulenger, 1903)*
25.

26.

Tonkin Huia Frog

Odorrana tiannanensis (Yang & Li,
1980)
Odorrana geminata Bain, Stuart,
Nguyen, Che & Rao, 2009*

Rhacophoridae

Flying Frogs
Two-striped Pigmy Tree

30. Rohanixalus vittatus (Boulenger, 1887)

31.

32.

Kurixalus hainanus (Zhao, Wang &Hainan Small Treefrog

Shi, 2005)
Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell,Hong Kong Whipping

1861

Frog

33. Polypedates mutus (Smith, 1940)
34.

35.

36.

37.

Burmese Whipping Frog

Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme,
2006*
Rhacophorus orlovi Ziegler & Köhler,
2001*
Theloderma corticale (Boulenger,
1903)
Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu & Hu,
1962)

38. Zhangixalus dennysi (Blanford, 1881)
39.

+

Frog

Zhangixalus pachyproctus Yu, Hui,
Hou, Wu, Rao & Yang, 2019*

+

+

+

+

+

+

Black-webbed Treefrog+

Orlov's Treefrog+

Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog+

Dotted Bubble-nest Frog+

Denny's Whipping Frog+

Treefrog

+

Total

32

Notes: * New record for Tuyen Quang Province
64

50

Table 2. List of reptile and amphibian species recorded from Bac Me NR,
Ha Giang ProvinceNo

1.

Scientific nameCommon name

REPTILEREPTILESSQUAMATASQUAMATASAURIA

LIZARDS

Agamidae

Agamid Lizards

Acanthosaura

lepidogaster(Cuvier,1829)

Brown Pricklenape

Trip 1

Trip 2(5/2019)(10/2019)+

2.

Draco maculatus (Gray, 1845)*

3.

Pseudocalotes brevipes (Werner, 1904)

4.

Physignathus cocincinus Cuvier, 1829

Green Water Dragon

Gekkonidae

Geckos5.

Gekko palmatus Boulenger, 1907

Palm Gecko+

6.

Gekko reevesii (Gray, 1831)*

Reeves’ Tokay Gecko+

7.

Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836

Common House Gecko+

Scincidae

Skinks8.
9.

Eutropislongicaudatus(Hallowell,

1857)
Eutropis macularius (Blyth, 1853)*

10. Eutropis multifasciatus (Kuhl, 1820)
11.

Spotted Flying Dragon
Vietnam False
Bloodsucker

Longtail Mabuya

Common Sun Skink
Depressed-eared Forest

Orlov & Ho, 2004*

Skink
Hainan Water SkinkSERPENTESSNAKES

Typhlopidae

Blind snakes

13. Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803)* Flowerpot Snake
Colubridae+

Colubrids
65

+

+

+

+

+

Bronze Mabuya

Sphenomorphus cryptotis Darevsky,

12. Tropidophorus hainanus Smith, 1923

+

+
+
+
+

+

14. Ahaetulla prasina (Boie, 1827)

Oriental Whip Snake+

15. Boiga multomaculata (Boie, 1827)*

Many-spotted cat snake+

16. Boiga guangxiensis Wen, 1998*

Cat snake++

17. Hebius chapaensis (Bourret, 1934)*

Vietnam Water Snake++

18. Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935)

Wolf snake++

19. Oligodon taeniatus (Günther, 1861)

Striped kukri snake+

20. Oligodon sp.

Kukri snake+

Flower Snake+

Chinese Ratsnake+

21.

Orthriophis moellendorffi (Boettger,1886)*

22. Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837)
23. Ptyas multicinctus (Roux, 1907)*
24. Coelognathus radiatus (Boi, 1827)
25.

26.

Rhabdophis

subminiatus(Schlegel,

1837)
Trimerodytes percarinatus (Boulenger,
1899)
Pareatidae

Many-banded GreenSnake
Radiated Ratsnakes

Eastern Water Snake

28. Pareas margaritophorus (Jan, 1866)*

Mountain Slug Snake

Elapidae

+

+

+
+

Kraits

29. Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801)*

Banded Krait

30. Naja atra Cantor, 1842*

Chinese cobra

Viperidae++

VipersProtobothrops mucrosquamatus(Cantor, 1839)
Protobothrops maolanensis Yang,
Orlov & Wang, 2011

33. Trimeresurus albolabris Gray 1842*

Brown Spotted Pitviper+

Mao-lan pitviper+

White-lipped Pitviper+

AMPHIBIA
ANURA+

Slug Snakes
Hampton's Slug Snake

32.

+

+

Red-necked Keelback

27. Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)

31.

+

+

AMPHIBIANS
FROGS
66

+

+

Bufonidae
1.

Toads

Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider,1799)

Asian Common Toad+

Megophryidae

Asian Toads

2.

Leptobrachella sp.

Toad

+

3.

Leptobrachella minima (Taylor, 1962)*

Asian Toad+

4.

Leptobrachella nahangensis (Lathrop,
Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)*++

Nahang Asian Toad+

Asian Toad+

Leptobrachella nyx (Ohler,
5.

Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix,
Vences, Ziegler & Dubois, 2011)

6.
7.
8.

Leptobrachella

sungi(Lathrop,

Murphy, Orlov & Ho, 1998)*
Megophrys maosonensi Bourret, 1937
Megophrys microstoma (Boulenger,
1903)

Sung’s Toad++

Maoson Horned Toad++

Asian Mountain Toad++

Microhylidae

Rice frogs

9.

Microhyla butleri Boulenger, 1900

Butler's Rice Frog

10.

Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 191111.

Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

Guangdong Rice Frog

Dicroglossidae

Fork-tongued frogs

12.

13.

14.
15.
16.

Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst,
1829)
Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Wiegmann,
1834)
Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei &Jiang, 2007
Quasipaa delacouri (Angel, 1928)
Quasipaa
1937)

verrucospinosa(Bourret,

Heymon's Narrowmouthed Frog+++

Grass Frog+

Common Lowlanfrog+

Banna Large-headed Frog+

Doi Chang Asian Frog
Granular Spiny Frog

67

+

+
+

+

+

Ranidae

True Frogs

17.

Amolops ricketti (Boulenger, 1899)

Chinese Sucker Frog

+

+

18.

Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1875)

Green Cascade Frog

+

+

19.

Odorrana nasica (Boulenger, 1903)*

Tonkin Huia Frog+

Big-eared Frog+

Geminated Cascade Frog

+
+

20.

21.

Odorrana tiannanensis (Yang & Li,
1980)
Odorrana

geminata

Bain,

Stuart,Nguyen, Che & Rao, 200922.

Rana johnsi Smith, 1921

Johns's Frog

23.

Sylvirana guentheri (Boulenger, 1882)

Gunther's Amoy Frog+

24.

Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret, 1937)

Maoson Frog++

Rhacophoridae

Flying Frogs
+

+

+

+
+

25.

26.
27.
28.

29.
30.
31.
32.

33.

Kurixalus hainanus (Zhao, Wang & Shi,
2005)

Hainan Small Treefrog

Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, Hong Kong Whipping
1861

Frog

Polypedates mutus (Smith, 1940)*

Burmese Whipping Frog+

Karin bubble-nest frog+

Orlov's Treefrog+

Raorchestes

parvulus(Boulenger,

1893)
Rhacophorus orlovi Ziegler & Köhler,
2001*

Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960 Red-webbed Treefrog
Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu & Hu,+

Dotted Bubble-nest Frog+

Zhangixalus dennysi (Blanford, 1881)*

Denny's Whipping Frog+

Salamandridae

Newts1962)*

Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa, Matsui& Nguyen, 2013

Ziegler's knobby newt

Total

+
53

Notes: * New record for Ha Giang Province

68

38

Table 3. List of reptile and amphibian species recorded from Phia Oac-Phia Den NP,
Cao Bang ProvinceNo

1.

Scientific nameCommon name

REPTILEREPTILESSQUAMATASQUAMATASAURIA

LIZARDS

Agamidae

Agamid Lizards

Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Cuvier,

Trip 1

Trip 2(5/2020)(10/2020)

Brown Pricklenape+

Acanthosaura sp.

Pricklenape+

Pseudocalotes brevipes (Werner,

Vietnam False

1904)

Bloodsucker

Gekkonidae

Geckos4.

Gekko palmatus Boulenger, 1907

Palm Gecko+

5.

Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836

Common House Gecko+

Scincidae

Skinks

2.
3.

6.

7.

1829)

Ateuchosaurus chinensis Gray, 1845*
Eutropis longicaudatus (Hallowell,
1857)

+

Chinese short-limbedLongtail Mabuya+

Bronze Mabuya+++

Eutropis macularius (Blyth, 1853)*

9.

Plestiodon quadrilineatus Blyth, 1853 Four-striped Skink+

10.

Scincella sp1.

Smooth Skink+

11.

Scincella sp2.

Smooth Skink+

12.

Lygosoma sp.

Short-limbed Skink+

13.

Sphenomorphus indicus (Gray, 1853)

Himalayan Forest Skink+

14.

Tropidophorus hainanus Smith, 1923

Hainan water skink+

Murphy’s water skink+

Tropidophorus murphyi Hikida,
Orlov, Nabhitabhata & Ota, 2002
Anguidae

+

+

skink

8.

15.

+

Glass Lizards
69

+

+

16.

17.

18.
19.

Dopasia harti (Boulenger, 1899)

Hart's Glass Lizard

Lacertidae

Grass Lizards

Takydromus sexlineatus Daudin, 1802

Asian Grass Lizard

SERPENTESSNAKESColubridae

Colubrids

Boiga kraepelini Stejneger, 1902

Kelung Cat Snake+

Green Ratsnake+

Gonyosoma coeruleum Liu & Hou &Lwin & Wang & Rao 2021 *

+

+

20.

Hebius chapaensis (Bourret, 1934)*

Vietnam Water Snake+

21.

Hebius boulengeri (Gressitt, 1937)

Boulenger’s keelback+

22.

Lycodon fasciatus (Anderson, 1879)

Banded Wolf Snake+23.

Lycodon futsingensis (Pope, 1928)

Futsing Wolf Snake

+

+

24.

Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935)

Wolf snake

+

+

25.

Pseudoxenodon sp.

Bamboo Snake

26.

Ptyas major (Günther, 1858)

Chinese Green Snake

27.

Ptyas multicinctus (Roux, 1907)

28.

Trimerodytes percarinatus(Boulenger, 1899)

Many-banded Green
Snake

+
+
+

Eastern Water Snake+

Pareatidae

Slug Snakes

Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)

Hampton's slug snake

ElapidaeKraits30.

Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801)

Banded Krait+

31.

Naja atra Cantor, 1842

Chinese Cobra+

Speckled Coral Snake

+

29.

32.

Calliophis maculiceps (GÜNTHER,
1858)*
Viperidae

33.

34.

Protobothrops mucrosquamatus(Cantor, 1839)
Ovophis monticola (GÜNTHER,
1864)*++

VipersBrown Spotted Pitviper

Chinese Mountain Pitviper
70

+

+

35.
36.

37.

Trimeresurus albolabris Gray 1842*
Trimeresurus yunnanensis Schmidt,
1925*

White-lipped Pitviper
Yunnan Bamboo Pitviper

TESTUDINESTURTLES

Geoemydidae

Pond Turtles

Cuora mouhotii (Gray, 1862)*

Keeled Box Turtle

AMPHIBIA

1.

2.

3.

FROGS

Bufonidae

Toads

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

5.

Asian Common Toad

(Schneider, 1799)
Megophryidae

Asian Toads

Leptobrachella sp.

Toad

+

+

+

+

+

(Ohler,Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix,
Vences, Ziegler & Dubois, 2011)

4.

+

AMPHIBIANS

ANURA

Leptobrachella nyx+

Asian Toad+*

Leptobrachium chapaense (Bourret,
1937)
Leptobrachium sp.

Chapa Spadefoot Toad+

Spadefoot Toad++

Megophrys caobangensis Nguyen,
6.

Pham, Nguyen, Luong & Ziegler,

Cao Bang Spadefoot Toad+

Kakhien Hill Frog

+

2020
7.
8.

9.

10.

11.

Megophrys feae Boulenger, 1887
Megophrys microstoma (Boulenger,
1903)
Megophrys maosonensis Bourret,
1937
Megophrys palpebralespinosa
Bourret, 1937

Asian Mountain Toad++

Maoson Horned Frog++

Tonkin Spadefoot Toad

Microhylidae

Rice frogs

Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911

Heymon's
71

Narrow-++mouthed Frog
Heymon's

Narrow-

12.

Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 191113.

Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

Guangdong Rice Frog

Dicroglossidae

Fork-tongued frogs

14.

Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst,

mouthed Frog

+

+

+

Grass Frog+

Common Lowlanfrog+

Banna Large-headed Frog++

Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889)

Boulenger's Spiny Frog++

Ranidae

True Frogs

18.

Amolops ricketti (Boulenger, 1899)

Chinese Sucker Frog+

19.

Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1875)

Green Cascade Frog+

Geminated Cascade Frog

+

15.

16.
17.

20.

1829)
Hoplobatrachus rugulosus(Wiegmann, 1834)
Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei &Jiang, 2007

Odorrana geminata Bain, Stuart,
Nguyen, Che & Rao, 2009+21.

Odorrana nasica (Boulenger, 1903)

Tonkin Huia Frog

+

+

22.

Rana johnsi Smith, 1921

Johns's Frog++

Gunther's Amoy Frog+

Mao-Son frog

+

23.

24.

25.
26.

27.

Sylvirana guentheri (Boulenger,
1882)
Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret,
1937)

+

Rhacophoridae

Flying Frogs

Gracixalus gracilipes (Bourret, 1937)

Chapa Bubble-nest Frog+

Hainan Small Treefrog

+

+

+

+
+

Kurixalus hainanus (Zhao, Wang &Shi, 2005)

Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, Hong Kong Whipping
1861

Frog

28.

Polypedates mutus (Smith, 1940)

Burmese Whipping Frog+

29.

Raorchestes parvulus (Boulenger,

Karin bubble-nest Frog+72

1893)
30.

31.

32.
33.

34.

35.

Rhacophorus larissae Ostroshabov,Larisa Treefrog+

Dotted Bubble-nest Frog+

Warty Treefrog+

Zhangixalus puerensis (He, 1999)*

Treefrog+

Salamandridae

Newts

Orlov & Nguyen, 2013
Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu &Hu, 1962)*
Theloderma rhododiscus (Liu & Hu,
1962)*

Paramesotriton guangxiensis (Huang,
Tang & Tang, 1983)
Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa,Matsui & Nguyen, 2013

Guangxi Warty Newt+

Ziegler's knobby newt

+

Total

60

Notes: * New record for Cao Bang Province

73

+

37

Table 4. List of reptiles and amphibians recorded from Nam Xuan Lac HSCA,
Bac Kan Province
TT

1.

2.

Scientific nameCommon name

REPTILEREPTILESSQUAMATASQUAMATASAURIA

LIZARDS

Agamidae

Agamid Lizards

Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Cuvier,
1829)
Pseudocalotes

brevipes

Brown Pricklenape(Werner, Vietnam False

1904)

Bloodsucker

Gekkonidae

Geckos3.

Gekko reeesii (Gray, 1831)

Tokay Gecko

4.

Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836

Common House Gecko

5.

Hemidactylus platyurus (Schneider,
1797)
Scincidae

6.

Eutropis longicaudatus (Hallowell,
1857)

Trip 1

Trip 2(8/2020)(4/2021)

+

+

+

+
+

Flat-tailed House Gecko++

SkinksLongtail Mabuya

+

+

+

+

7.

Eutropis macularius (Blyth, 1853)

Bronze Mabuya

8.

Scincella sp.

Forest SkinkSERPENTESSNAKESColubridae

Colubrids

9.

Ahaetulla prasina (Boi, 1827)

Gunther’s whip snake

10.

Boiga guangxiensis Wen, 1998*

Guangxi cat snake+

11.

Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935)

Wolf snake+

12.

Lycodon sp.

Wolf snake+

13.

Oligodon sp.

Kukri Snake+

Flower Snake+

14.

Orthriophis moellendorffi (Boettger,1886)*

74

+

+

+

TT

Scientific nameCommon name

Trip 1

Trip 2(8/2020)(4/2021)

+

+

15.

Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837)

Indo-Chinese Rat Snake16.

Coelognathus radiatus (Boie, 1827)

Radiated Rat Snakes+

Red-necked Keelback

+

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel,
1837)
Trimerodytes

percarinatus(Boulenger, 1899)

Eastern Water Snake

Pareatidae

Slug Snakes

Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905)

Hampton's Slug Snake

Viperidae

VipersTrimeresurus stejnegeri Schimidt,

Stejneger’s Bamboo

1925

pitviperProtobothrops mucrosquamatus(Cantor, 1839)

FROGS

Bufonidae

Toads(Schneider, 1799)

+

+

+

+

+

AMPHIBIANS

ANURA

Duttaphrynus melanostictus+

Brown Spotted Pitviper

AMPHIBIA

1.

+

Asian Common Toad++

Microhylidae

Rice frog

2.

Microhyla sp.

Rice frog

+

+

3.

Microhyla butleri Boulenger, 1900*

Butler's Rice Frog

+

+

4.

Microhyla fissipes Boulenger, 1884

Ornamented Pygmy Frog

+

+

5.

Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911

Heymon's Ricefrog

+

+

6.

Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

Guangdong rice frog++

Megophryidae

Asian Toads

7.

Leptobrachella sp1.

Toad

+

+

8.

Leptobrachella sp2.

Toad

9.

Leptobrachella nahangensis (Lathrop,
Murphy, Orlov, and Ho, 1998)*

Nahang Asian Toad
75

+
+

+

TT

10.

11.

13.

14.
15.

16.
17.

18.

19.
20.

21.

22.

23.

Trip 2(8/2020)(4/2021)

Asian Mountain Toad++

Maoson Horned Toad

+

+

+

+

Common name

Megophrys microstoma Boulenger,
1903
Megophrys maosonensis (Bourret,
1937)
Dicroglossidae

12.

Trip 1

Scientific nameFork-tongued frogs

Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst,
1829)
Hoplobatrachus

rugulosus(Wiegmann, 1834)
Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei &Jiang, 2007

Grass Frog

Common Lowland Frog

Banna Large-headed Frog

Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889)* Boulenger's Spiny Frog
Ranidae

True Frogs

Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1876)

Green Cascade Frog

Odorrana lipuensis Mo, Chen, Wu,
Zhang, and Zhou, 2015*
Sylvirana guentheri (Boulenger,
1882)
Sylvirana maosonensis (Bourret,

Lipu Cascade frog

+

+

+

+

+
+

Guenther's Frog++

Mao-Son frog++

Rana johnsi Smith, 1921*

Johns's Frog++

Rhacophoridae

Flying Frogs

1937)

Gracixalus nonggangensis Mo,
Zhang, Luo, Zhou & Chen, 2013*
Kurixalus hainanus (Zhao, Wang &Shi, 2005)

Nonggang Treefrog

Hainan Small Treefrog

Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, Hong

Kong

Whipping

+

+

+

+

+

1861

Frog

24.

Polypedates mutus (Smith, 1940)

Burmese Whipping Frog+

25.

Raorchestes(Boulenger, Karin Bubble-nest Frog+

parvulus

76

TT

Trip 1

Trip 2(8/2020)(4/2021)

Black-webbed Treefrog++

Orlov's Treefrog++

Treefrog++

Dotted Bubble-nest Frog++

Scientific nameCommon name

1893)
26.

27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

Rhacophorus kio Ohler and Delorme,
2006
Rhacophorus

orlovi

ZieglerandKöhler, 2001*
Rhacophorus sp.
Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu andHu, 1962)
Zhangixalus dennysi (Blanford, 1881)
Zhangixalus pachyproctus Yu, Hui,
Hou, Wu, Rao, and Yang, 2019

Denny's Whipping Frog
Treefrog

Total
Notes: * New record for Bac Kan Province

77

+
+

+

34

49