Bat flies are highly specialized ectoparasites of the superfamily Hippoboscoidea and only associate with bats. They were rarely documented in Vietnam due to limited study in the country. Between 2017 and 2020, we conducted a series of field surveys in six localities in northern and central Vietnam with an emphasis on bat flies. Bats were captured using mist nets, harp traps, and handnets then morphologically identified following literatures relevant to the bats of each study site. Bat flies were collected using fine forceps and preserved in 70% alcohol for morphological identification. Twelve individuals of Brachytarsina cucullata and thirty-five individuals of Raymondia pseudopagodarum of the family Streblidae were collected over the surveys. Of which, B. cucullata is new to two localities in northern Vietnam (Nham Duong Mountain Area and Ha Long Bay) while R. pseudopagodarum is new to five localities in both northern and southern Vietnam (Bach Ma National Park, Cat Ba National Park, Ha Long Bay, Cu Lao Cham Island and Sop Cop Nature Reserve). Within Vietnam, B. cucullata and R. pseudopagodarum were only recorded from Cat Ba National Park and Vu Quang National Park, respectively. Notably, the previous records from Vietnam did not include either description or illustration. We here provide brief descriptions and illustrated photos of each species for morphological identification of these two bat fly species. A map showing the distributional records of each species is also included in this paper.
Myotis alticraniatus is a small mammal species with widespread distribution in Vietnam and other Asian countries. However, prior to the present study, its echolocation calls were poorly documented. Between 2018 and 2020, we conducted bat surveys in Cat Ba National Park and other areas of Vietnam. Echolocation calls of the species were obtained in different recording situations: handheld, flying inside a fight tent and foraging in natural habitats. The average initial frequency (iFM) and terminal frequency (tFM) of this species’ echolocation calls are in ranges of 113.2-140 kHz and 57.8-68.6 kHz, respectively. Its call duration is in a range of 1.6-3.9 ms. When detecting an object or prey in natural habitats, the species emitted echolocation calls in groups of up to 10 signals with the iFM and tFM values in ranges of 60.6-64.3 kHz and 28.2-31.0 kHz, respectively. Results from the present study exhibited a wide variation in frequencies and signal shapes of the species echolocation calls.
Prior to the present study, literature reviews revealed that 31 species of bats belonging to six families and 14 genera were identified in Cat Ba National Park in Northern Vietnam However, the conservation status of many species remains unclear and is still subject to debate. Among the 31 species, 11 are common while the remainder have been rarely captured since 1942. At least two species, Hipposideros alongensis and H. khaokhouayensis, which are globally considered vulnerable, are very common in Cat Ba National Park. This paper provides an update on the current status of each species based on data from recent field surveys with reference to previous publications and the current IUCN Red List (iucnredlist.org). Results from the recent surveys included eight individuals provisionally identified as Myotis cf. pilosus. The taxonomic status of five species (Aselliscus dongbacanus, Hipposideros gentilis, Hipposideros grandis, Miniopterus magnater, Murina harrisoni) are updated following recent assessments. This information will inform future research and conservation actions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.