Until this decade, no new large mammal species have been described for many years. Our knowledge of the faunal diversity of Vietnam was impeded by years of war and limited international contacts.
This is the first of the new mammal species discovered. First found in Vu Quang forest reserve, which is in Ha Tinh province of north central Vietnam. Specimens are also known from Nghe An province just to the north, and it is suspected from Thua Thien-Hue province and Dak Lak in the southern central highlands. Based on this information, we believe that Pseudoryx nghetinhensis has a wider distribution.
Sao La: Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
This photo shows the characteristic long, recurved spindle-shaped horns of this species.
Credit: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute and V. Weitzel
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This robust muntjak deer was discovered in Vu Quang forest reserve, in Ha Tinh province. Specimens have been found in Nghe An province, and in Dak Lac province. This suggests that Megamuntiacus vuquangensis also has a wider much distribution than is known. See also Schaller and Verba (1996) for recent analysis of material from Laos.
Mang Lon: Megamuntiacus vuquangensis
This specimen shows the robustness of this deer, which is about the size of a large dog. The antlers have shorter, thicker pedicel or base and longer tines than the common Muntiacus muntjac.
Credit: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute and V. Weitzel
Another new species of muntjak deer, Muntiacus trungsonensis has been identified in scrub forest in the heavily war-damaged but dense scrub forest of Quang Tri in Vietnam'centre.
In addition to these mammals, a pheasant was discovered in 1975. Sometimes called Vo Quy's pheasant after its discoverer, Lophura hatinhensis is now being successfully bred in captivity in Hanoi Zoo (who I wish to thank).
Ga Lung: Lophura hatinhensis
The male is contrastingly black deep blue, red and white and the and female a less conspicuous brown colour.
Credit: Hanoi Zoological Gardens, Ms Nguyen Thi Cuc Phuong and V. Weitzel
We suspect that the taxonomic position of some mammals we have known for a while will change as we learn more about their distributions. We have a program to map primate distribution by asking international colleagues travelling to help us. We work with the Institute for Ecology and Biological Resources in Hanoi and the National University of Hanoi (Faculty of Biology).
News: Rediscovery of Edwards Pheasant
We can help organise scientific expeditions and tours through our Vietnamese colleagues. Please contact us <vern.weitzel@gmail.com> for details.
Australia Vietnam Science Technology Link
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Vern Weitzel PO Box 4013 Ainslie, ACT 2602 Australia <vern.weitzel@gmail.com> |