Vu L.K., Bui H.T., Hoang T.T., Ly N.T., Motokawa M., Abramov A.V., Kruskop S.V., Nguyen V.K., Nguyen T.S. 2025. Small mammal surveys in the region of the Hue City, Central Vietnam // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.24. No.2. P.164–178 [in English].
Vu Kim Luong [vukimluong0101@gmail.com], Bui Tuan Hai [tuanhai@eulipotyphla.com], Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam; Nguyen Truong Son [truongsoniebr@gmail.com], Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam; Masaharu Motokawa [motokawa.masaharu.6m@kyoto-u.ac.jp], the Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606–8501, Japan; Alexei V. Abramov [alexei.abramov@zin.ru], Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, Moscow 119071, Russia and Joint Vietnamese-Russian Tropical Research and Technological Centre, Nguyen Van Huyen, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam; Sergei V. Kruskop [kruskop@zmmu.msu.ru], Zoological Museum, Moscow State University, ul. Bolshaya Nikitskaya 2, Moscow 125009, Russia, and Joint Vietnamese-Russian Tropical Research and Technological Centre, Nguyen Van Huyen, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam; Ly Ngoc Tu [ngoctu1890@gmail.com], Hanoi Metropolitan University, 96 Duong Quang Ham, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam; Nguyen Vu Khoi [info@wildlifeatrisk.org], 45/68 Nguyen Van Dau Street, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.24.2.09
ABSTRACT. Small mammal surveys were conducted within the globally significant Annamite Range of central Vietnam in 2018 and 2023, in three protected areas — Sao la Hue, Phong Dien, and Bac Hai Van nature reserves (NRs). A total of 38 mammal species were recorded during the surveys, with bats (Chiroptera, 57.85%) and rodents (Rodentia, 28.94%) predominating. Species richness varied considerably across the sites, with the Sao la Hue NR being the most diverse (35 species), followed by Phong Dien NR (19 species) and Bac Hai Van NR (12 species). Nine species represent new distributional records for the region, including: Chimarrogale varennei, Crocidura kegoensis, Crocidura tanakae, Hipposideros gentilis, Hipposideros grandis, Kerivoula kachinensis, Rhinolophus chaseni, Rhinolophus microglobosus, and Dacnomys millardi. The study has also confirmed the presence of IUCN-listed species, including the Near Threatened black giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), as well as VRDB-listed species: the Vulnerable Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) and the particolored flying squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger). Some abundant species were found in all three of nature reserves studied, including Hipposideros grandis, H. gentilis, Callosciurus erythraeus, Tamiops rodolphii, and Leopoldamys cf. revertens. The varied species composition of these reserves, which likely reflects differences in their habitat connectivity and ecological conditions, highlights the need for a coordinated landscape-related conservation strategy. This approach should primarily involve creating and maintaining of biological corridors to ensure the long-term conservation of small mammal populations in this biodiversity hotspot.
KEY WORDS: species richness, bats, rodents, insectivores, biodiversity, Sao la Hue, Phong Dien, Bac Hai Van..