Tom tat tieng anh nghiên cứu thành phần loài và một số Đặc Điểm sinh thái học các loài lưỡng cư (amphibia) Ở công viên Địa chất toàn cầu unesco cao nguyên Đá Đồng văn, tỉnh hà giang, việt nam

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION SONEPHET SILIYAVONG THE STUDY OF COMPOSITION AND SOME ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF AMPHIBIANS SPECIES AMPHIBIA IN DONG VAN KARST PLATEAU

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

SONEPHET SILIYAVONG

THE STUDY OF COMPOSITION AND SOME ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF AMPHIBIANS SPECIES (AMPHIBIA) IN DONG VAN KARST PLATEAU UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK,

HA GIANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Speciality: Ecology Code: 9420120

DISSERTAYION SUMMARY

THAI NGUYEN, 2025

The dissertation was finished at:

UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION-THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

Supervisors: 1 Assoc Prof Dr Hoang Van Ngoc

2 Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thien Tao

Reviewer 1: ………

Reviewer 2: ………

Reviewer 3: ………

The dissertation will be defended in the university committee:

UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION - THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

At.…… time… day… month… ……year: 2025

The dissertation can be read at:

- National library of Vietnam;

- Digital Center - Thai Nguyen University;

- Library of Education;

PUBLICATIONS

1 Hoa Thi Ninh, Tao Thien Nguyen, Huy Quoc Nguyen, Ngoc Van

Hoang, Sonephet Siliyavong, Thinh Van Nguyen Dzung Trung

Le, Quyet Khac Le8& Thomas Ziegler (2022): A new species of mossy frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Northeastern Vietnam European Journal of Taxonomy, 794: 72– 90 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.794.1655

2 Sonephet Siliyavong, Ngoc Van Hoang, Tao Thien Nguyen,

Truong Quang Nguyen, Anh Van Pham (2023): New record and

dietary ecology of a poorly known frog, Amolops shihaitaoi

Wang, Li, Du, Hou et Yu, 2022 (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae), from

Ha Giang province, Vietnam Biodiversity Data Journal, 11: e104316, 1-16 https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.11.e104316

3 Sonephet Siliyavong, Hoang Van Ngoc, Ninh Thi Hoa, Nguyen

Quoc Huy, Tu Quang Trung, Vu Trong Lưong, Tu Quang Tan, Ta Thi Ngoc Ha (2023): Amphibian species composition in Chi San Nature Reserve, Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province TNU Journal of Science and Technology 228 (13): 90 – 94 https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.8288

4 Sonephet Siliyavong, Nguyen Thien Tao, Pham Van Anh, Ta Thi

Ngoc Ha, Cao Thi Phương Thao, Tran Thanh Tung, Hoang Van

Ngoc (2024): The diet composition of Fejervarya limnocharis

(Gravenhost, 1829) in Ha Giang and Lang Sơn Provinces, Northern Vietnam Scientific Report on Biology Research and Teaching in Vietnam, 6th National Scientific Conference, Natural Science and Technology Publishing House, 2024, pp 686 – 694 https://doi.org/10.15625/vap.2024.0070

Vietnam is a crossroads for plant and animal dispersal flows from Indonesia and Malaysia in the south, and from India, the Himalayas, Myanmar, and southern China in the north As a result, Vietnam is considered one of the 16 countries with high biodiversity potential in Asia [45] and is located in the Indo-Burma region (ranked 19th among the 36 global biodiversity hotspots) In Vietnam, the number of newly described species and additional records for the amphibian fauna in recent years have demonstrated the importance of combining basic research methods such as morphological analysis with modern techniques like molecular biology, bioacoustics, histopathology, etc Based on these studies, new research directions have also emerged, particularly related to the study of the nutritional biology of amphibian species This highlights that the amphibian fauna of Vietnam still requires further research, especially in highland species or groups with similar morphological characteristics, with the potential for many new species to be described and newly discovered in the country

The Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (DVKP) is of exceptional geological value and has been recognized by UNESCO since 2010 DVKP is a karst plateau that spans across four districts: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac in Ha Giang Province, Vietnam This area is characterized by a rugged limestone mountain landscape with steep slopes, deep valleys, and a complex hydrological network, with an average elevation ranging from 900m to 1,700m

above sea level [9] The entire region is covered by an evergreen

forest ecosystem on limestone mountains or relatively undisturbed primary forests, which may serve as habitats for many amphibian species, especially endemic and rare ones with narrow distribution ranges Therefore, the DVKP region holds significant potential for new scientific discoveries or new records in this area However, there have been no studies on the diversity, distribution, and biological

characteristics of amphibian species in this region to inform conservation strategies

Based on these reasons, the dissertation is carried out with the

topic: "The study of species composition and some ecological

characteristics of amphibians species (Amphibia) in Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, Ha Giang province, Vietnam"

-Content 1: Survey and assess the current status of species

composition and distribution characteristics of species at representative sites of forest habitats, according to elevation zones and sample collection locations in the Dong Van Karst Plateau area

-Content 2: Study some biological and ecological characteristics

of representative species groups in the Dong Van Karst Plateau area

4 Scientific and practical significance of the dissertation

The research results of the project have provided updated scientific data on the current status of the amphibian fauna in the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam

The results and recommendations of the project provide important scientific foundations to assist local management in the planning and conservation of species

5 New contributions of the dissertation

The research results of the project provide updated information on the current status of species diversity, distribution characteristics, and some biological and ecological traits of amphibian species in the study area, including:

- A list of 45 amphibian species from 8 families, such as: Toads, True frogs, Tree frogs, Burrowing toads, Puddle frogs, Tree frogs, Tree frogs, and Mudfish for the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau

- New discoveries and records:

+ A new tree frog species has been described and published:

+ A new distribution record has been reported for 7 species from 2

families: 2 species from the Frog family (Amolops shihaitaoi, Amolops wenshanensis) and 5 species from the Tree Frog family (Rhacophorus orlovi, Theloderma gordoni, Theloderma lateriticum, Vietnamophryne orlovi, and Zhangixalus pachyproctus) in Ha Giang

Province, located in the northeastern region of Vietnam

- Additional descriptions of morphological characteristics and the recording of some ecological traits of 35 amphibian species observed

in the study area

- Provision of dietary data for 4 amphibian species in the study

area, including: Amolops shihaitaoi, Fejervarya limnocharis, Kurixalus hainanus, and Polypedates mutus

Chapter 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 History of research on amphibian species diversity worldwide and in the region

1.2 History of research on amphibians (Amphibia) in Vietnam

1.2.1.History of research on amphibian species composition in

Vietnam

1.2.2 History of research on the distribution characteristics of

amphibian species in Vietnam

1.2.3 History of research on the ecological characteristics of

amphibians in Vietnam

1.3 History of research on amphibians in Ha Giang province, Vietnam

1.4 Overview of the natural conditions and socio-economic

situation in the study area

Chapter 2 STUDY SITE, DURATION, DATA, AND

RESEARCH METHODS 2.1 Study site anh duration

-Study sites

Field surveys were conducted at the following locations: Chi San Nature Reserve (Meo Vac District), Du Gia National Park (Yen Minh District), the Cao Ma Po Commune Forest (Quan Ba District), and the Dong Van District Forest, which contains well-preserved high-mountain forest ecosystems, located in the buffer zone of the

UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam (Figure 2.1)

- Study duration

The thesis was conducted from November 2020 to December 2023 Field surveys were primarily carried out from April to August 2022 Specimen analysis and comparison were conducted at the Department of Zoology, University of Education - Thai Nguyen University, the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, and the Institute of Genome Research - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

2.2 Research data

We analyzed 412 amphibian specimens collected, along with some photographs taken during field surveys; we also dissected the stomachs of 4 representative species from the total number of specimens collected to study their diet

2.3 Research methods

2.3.1 Field survey

2.3.2 Laboratory research methods

2.3.2.1 Analysis of amphibian morphological characteristics

2.3.2.2 Identification of amphibian specimens

2.3.2.3 Methods for studying ecological characteristics of amphibians

2.3.3 Methods for analyzing the distribution characteristics of amphibian species in the study area

2.3.4 Methods for identifying species with conservation value 2.3.5 Data processing and statistical methods

Chapter 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Amphibian species composition recorded in the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang province, Vietnam

3.1.1 Species diversity

From December 2020 to December 2023, we collected and analyzed 412 specimens from field surveys and referenced recently published materials

The results showed that a total of 2 orders, 8 families, 25 genera, and 45 species were recorded in this area Among them, the order Anura had the highest diversity, with 7 families, 24 genera, and 44

species; while the order Caudata had only 1 family, 1 genus, and 1 species recorded

In the study sites, Dong Van District recorded the fewest amphibian species, with 1 order of Anura (tailless frogs) consisting of

3 families, 3 genera, and 3 species Compared to other sites in the study area, the terrain of Dong Van District is entirely limestone mountains, with little forest cover and a very limited surface water source, consisting of a few small streams that flow during the rainy season and some small ponds and lakes

- Among the 45 species in the study area, 35 species were identified from the specimens collected during field surveys, and 10 species were identified from previously published materials

Diversity of genera: The family Rhacophoridae (tree frogs) has the highest diversity, with 8 genera (accounting for 32% of the total amphibian genera in the study area) Next is the family Ranidae (true frogs) with 5 genera (accounting for 20%), followed by the two main families of Dicroglossidae (frogs) and Megophryidae (burrowing toads), each with 3 genera (accounting for 12%) Then come the families Bufonidae (toads) and Microhylidae (narrow-mouthed frogs), each with 2 genera (accounting for 8%) The remaining two families are Hylidae (tree frogs) and Salamandridae (newts), each with at least

1 genus (accounting for 4%)

Species diversity: The family Rhacophoridae (tree frogs) has the highest number of species, with 21 species (accounting for 46.66% of the total species); followed by the family Ranidae (true frogs) with 10 species (accounting for 22.22%) The remaining families have fewer species: the family Megophryidae (burrowing toads) and the family Dicroglossidae (true frogs) each have 4 species (each accounting for 8.88%); the family Microhylidae (narrow-mouthed frogs) is recorded with 3 species (accounting for 6.66%); the family Bufonidae (toads) has 2 species (accounting for 4.44%), while the families Hylidae (tree frogs) and Salamandridae (newts) each have 1 species (each accounting for 2.22%)

3.1.2 New discoveries

- New species for science: In this study, we discovered and

described a new species for science, the Rough-skinned Tree Frog

(Theloderma khoii), with the type specimen collected in Quan Ba

District, Ha Giang Province This species shares many morphological

similarities with the Bicolored Tree Frog (Theloderma bicolor) found

in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces (Nguyen et al., 2014), but there are distinct morphological differences between the two species, such as: A clearly visible tympanum, round eyes, eye diameter about half the length of the snout, spines on the eyelids, leaf-like teeth, a sharp and truncated snout, no bony ridges from the eyes to the head spot, the head skin protrudes, the leg joints reach the edge of the eye or the tip

of the snout, very rough dorsal skin with large, irregular warts and glands, a granular ventral surface, webbing on the fingers and toes, a clear brown coloration on the flanks, a yellowish stripe on the belly with a few small bluish-green spots on the throat, a dorsal coloration

of moss green or olive with dark red spots, black lateral and ventral surfaces with irregular lemon-yellow patterns and some white spots; males have a vocal sac [76]

- New distribution records for Ha Giang province: Among the

amphibian species collected in the Cao Nguyen Da Dong Van (KNVC), based on comparisons with the literature of Nguyen et al., (2009) [28] and morphological analysis, we recorded 7 species with

new distribution records for Ha Giang Province, including: Amolops shihaitaoi Wang, Li, Du, Hou & Yu, 2022, and Amolops wenshanensis Yuan, Jin, Li, Stuart & Wu, 2018, collected in Du Gia National Park, Yen Minh District; Rhacophorus orlovi (Ziegler &

Kohler, 2001), collected in Chi San Nature Reserve, Meo Vac

District; Theloderma gordoni (Taylor, 1962), collected in Cao Ma Pờ Commune Forest, Quan Ba District, and T lateriticum Bain, Nguyen

& Doan, 2009, collected in Chi San Nature Reserve and Cao Ma Po

Commune Forest; Vietnamophryne orlovi Poyarkov, Suwannapoom,

Pawangkhanant, Aksonneam, Doung, Korost & Che, 2018, collected

in Chi San Nature Reserve, Meo Vac District; Zhangixalus pachyproctus Yu, Hui, Hou, Wu, Rao & Yang, 2019, collected in Chi

San Nature Reserve, Meo Vac District

3.1.3 Rare, endemic, and conservationally valuable species

Table3.3 Endemic, rare, and conservationally valuable amphibian

species in the study area

STT Scienctific name Endemic SĐVN

(2007)

IUCN (2024)

CITES (2023)

Note: EN (Endangered), NT (Near Threatened), VU (Vulnerable), II (Appendix II)

A total of 15 species with conservation value have been recorded,

as follows:

- 2 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2007) Among them, 1

species is classified as EN (Endangered): Theloderma corticale, and 1 species is classified as VU (Vulnerable): Ingerphrynus galeatus

- 4 species listed in the IUCN Red List (2024), all classified as VU

(Vulnerable), namely: Quasipaa boulengeri, Zhangixalus duboisi, Odorrana jingdongensis, and Tylototriton ziegleri

- 1 species is listed in Appendix II of CITES (2023) and

NĐ84/2021/NĐ-CP: Tylototriton ziegleri

- 11 endemic species to Vietnam: Leptobrachella nyx, Rhacophorus hoanglienensis, R robertingeri, R viridimaculatus, Theloderma corticale, T khoii, T lateriticum, Zhangixalus franki, Z jodiae, Vietnamophryne orlovi, and Tylototriton ziegleri

Therefore, according to this study, the proportion of species with conservation value in the study area is high (35.55%) of the total species recorded in the area

3.1.4 Morphological characteristics of amphibian species recorded

in the study area

By analyzing the morphological characteristics of newly collected specimens and previous samples, we describe the species recorded in the study area, which includes 35 species The analysis is based on direct measurements taken from the newly collected specimens, while also comparing them with previous publications This includes the number of specimens studied, certain morphological indicators, ecological characteristics recorded at the sampling points, and the distribution range of some species as follows:

ORDER ANURA FISCHER VON WALDHEIM, 1813

Family Bufonidae Gray, 1825

1 House Toad - Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

2 Forest Toad - Ingerophrynus galeatus (Gunther, 1864)

Family Dicroglossidae Anderson, 1871

3 Rice Frog - Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829)

4 Banna Narrow-Mouthed Frog - Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei,

Xie & Jiang, 2007

5 Boulenger’s Bullfrog - Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889)

Figure 3.10 Images of species from the family Dicroglossidae

A Fejervarya limnocharis B Limnonectes bannaensis

C, D Quasipaa boulengeri

Family Hylidae Rafinesque, 1815

6 Sticky Tree Frog - Hyla annectans (Jerdon, 1870)

Figure 3.12 Images of species from the family Hylidae

A Hyla annectans (male) B Hyla annectans (female)

Family Megophryidae Bonaparte, 1850

7 Small-browed Toad - Leptobrachella nyx (Ohler, Wollenberg,

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

8 Spotted-bellied Toad - Leptobrachella ventripunctata (Fei, Ye &

Li, 1990)

9 Small-mouthed Mountain Toad - Ophryophryne microstoma

Boulenger, 1903

10 Mao Son Horned Toad - Xenophrys maosonensis (Bourret, 1937)

Figure 3.17 Images of species from the family Megophryidae

A Leptobrachella nyx B Leptobrachella ventripunctata

C Ophryophryne microstoma D Xenophrys maosonensis

Family Microhylidae Günther, 1858 (1843)

11 Heymon's narrow-mouthed frog - Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911

12 Banded narrow-mouthed frog - Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861)

13 Northeastern dwarf frog - Vietnamophryne orlovi Poyarkov,

Suwannapoom, Pawangkhanant, Aksornneam, Duong, Korost, and Che, 2018

Figure 3.21 Images of species from the family Microhylidae

A Microhyla heymonsi B Microhyla pulchra

C D Vietnamophryne orlovi

Family Ranidae Rafinesque, 1796

14 Rock-dwelling frog-Amolops shihaitaoi Wang, Li, Du, Hou, and

Yu, 2022

15 Wen-shan rock-dwelling frog-Amolops wenshanensis Yuan, Jin,

Li, Stuart & Wu, 2018

16 Annamite stream frog-Hylarana annamitica Sheridan & Stuart, 2018

17 Mao Son frog - Hylarana maosonensis Bourret, 1937

18 Grass frog-Odorrana graminea (Boulenger, 1900)

19 Long-nosed frog-Odorrana nasica (Boulenger, 1903)

Figure 3.28 Images of species from the family Ranidae

A Amolops shihaitaoi B Amolops wenshanensis C Hylarana annamitica

D Hylarana maosonensis E Odorrana graminea F Odorana nasica