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Species diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in the mountains of Indochina
Indochina is known as one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world with high diversity of plant and animal species. For terrestrial vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles and mammals), recent studies have discovered many new and cryptic species in the mountains of Vietnam and Laos. Intensive surveys of the species diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in these regions are expected to clarify various factors that form the species diversity of the Indochinese mountains. However, integrated and international research in these mountainous areas is not enough to understand the species diversity.
Therefore, in this project, researchers from Japan, Vietnam, and Laos will cooperate to conduct taxonomic and museum studies on terrestrial vertebrates, make the species inventories, prepare museum specimens, promote the capacity building of young researchers and disseminate research results to society.
Implementation Organisations (as of 10 April 2023)
Principal investigator
Dr. Masaharu Motokawa
Professor, The Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University
Collaborators
| Japan | Dr. K. Nishikawa (Professor, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University) + two young researchers and two Ph.D. students |
|---|---|
| Laos | Dr. D. Sanamxay (Faculty of Environmental Studies, National University of Laos) + one researcher |
| Vietnam | Dr. N.T. Son (Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology） + two researchers and one Ph.D. student |
Project Updates
The survey was conducted in Vietnam from September 24th to October 12th, 2023.
- Duration of the field survey: September 25th to October 8th, 2023
- Location: The mountainous area at an altitude of around 1,300 m in the Leng Su Sin District of the Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, Dien Bien Province, west of the capital Hanoi
- Activity photos: PDF 668KB)
The survey was conducted in Lao PDR from November 22 to December 12, 2023.
- Duration of the survey: November 22 to December 12, 2023
- Location: Phou Den Din National Protected Area, Phongsaly Province, Lao PDR
- Activity photos: Field survey in Phou Den Din National Protected Area, Phongsaly Province, Lao PDR (PDF 14MB) created by Prof. Motokawa
Seminars and workshops were held in Vietnam and Laos on March 19 and 20, 2024. The outline is as follows:
- Date and location: March 19 (Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science: Hanoi, Vietnam) and March 20 (National University of Laos: Vientiane, Laos).
- Outline: These seminars and workshops are introduced on Professor Motokawa's website. Please click here (to visit the corresponding page on the Motokawa Vertebrate Zoology Team's website).
Project Reports & Deliverables
In preparation.
Nagao Natural Environment Foundation
4-20-9 Midori, Sumida-ku
Tokyo 130-0021 Japan
Phone : +81-3-6659-2070
Fax : +81-3-6659-2272