Rhacophorus kio.

Vietnam is recognized as one of the most well-known countries in the world in term of herpetofaunal diversity. The species diversity of the Vietnamese herpetofauna has remarkably increased from 340 in 1996 to 566 in 2010 and more than 150 new species have been described from the country since 2000. However, reptiles and amphibians in Vietnam are threatened by extinction, and the principal threats to their populations are habitat loss, unsustainable wildlife trade, invasive species, pollution, diseases, and climate change. However, our knowledge about taxonomy, geography distribution and ecology of reptiles and amphibians in Vietnam is still limited, particularly in the remote areas. This research focuses on the diversity of the herpetofauna in unexplored limestone forests in northwestern Vietnam. Combining morphological and molecular data, we intend to evaluate the species richness, genetic diversity and the functional composition of herpetological communities across a biogeographic gradient in northwestern Vietnam.

Field surveys will be conducted in two limestone karst formations at elevations from 100 to 1500 m in Hoa Binh Province. Survey transects will be set up along streams, pools, small ponds, caves or along forest paths within Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve and Ngoc Son Proposed Nature Reserve. As these nature reserves are also recognized as key biodiversity areas in the northern Indochina limestone conservation corridor of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, threats to the unique karst ecosystem and its herpetofauna will be documented during the field work.

New discoveries and data obtained from faunistic inventory will help to underline the importance of diversity and endemism of the herpetofauna of Hoa Binh Province. It is expected that the results of our expeditions will provide critical data for provincial decision makers and conservation specialists in biodiversity conservation planning in Hoa Binh Province. We will also identify priority sites for conservation within two target protected areas. Appropriate conservation measures will be recommended to the local management authority based on the site evaluation.