Biodiversity of freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds in
Transcription
Biodiversity of freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds in
A Publication of the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme Biodiversity of freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds in Lang Sen Nature Reserve, Long An Province, Vietnam Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa, Bui Huu Manh & Tran Thi Anh Dao MWBP.V.B.4.10.06 The designation of geographical entities in the book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme or other participating organisations, e.g. the Governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and Mekong River Commission (MRC) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This report or series of working papers may contain original research or unverified claims. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) or other participating organisations, e.g. the Governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, UNDP, IUCN and MRC. Published by: Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use (MWBP) Copyright: © 2007 Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purpose is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa, Bui Huu Manh & Tran Thi Anh Dao. (2006). Biodiversity of freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds in Lang Sen Nature Reserve, Long An Province, Vietnam. MWBP. Vientianne, Lao PDR. Cover design by: Cover photo: Produced by: Studio Terra Co. Ltd. Mixed flock of cormorants and darters at Lang Sen. Alvin Lopez/MWBP Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) Available from: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Asia Regional Office 63, Sukhumvit Soi 39 Klongtan Nuae, Wattana Bangkok 10110, Thailand Phone: +662 662 4061 Fax: +662 662 4387 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mekongwetlands.org United Nations Development Programme - IUCN World Conservation Union Mekong River Commission - Global Environmental Facility MEKONG WETLAND BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMME REPORT ON BIODIVERSITY OF FRESHWATER-FISH, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES, AND BIRDS IN LANG SEN NATURE RESERVE October 2006 By: Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa, Bui Huu Manh, and Tran Thi Anh Dao. 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................2 2 METHODS ..............................................................................................................................................2 2.1 2.2 3 RESULTS: FISH .....................................................................................................................................5 3.1 3.2 4 HABITATS .........................................................................................................................................2 SAMPLING.........................................................................................................................................3 SPECIES COMPOSITION ......................................................................................................................5 ECONOMIC SPECIES AND FISHERY .....................................................................................................6 RESULTS: HERPS .................................................................................................................................8 4.1 4.2 SPECIES COMPOSITION ......................................................................................................................8 THE VALUE AND CURRENT STATUS OF HERP IN THE AREA .................................................................8 5 RESULTS: BIRDS ..................................................................................................................................9 6 DISCUSSIONS ........................................................................................................................................9 6.1 6.2 6.3 THREATS TO FISH FAUNA ..................................................................................................................9 THE IMPORTANCE OF LSWR FOR FISH CONSERVATION AND USAGE ...............................................10 THREATS TO HERP FAUNA ...............................................................................................................11 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................14 APPENDIX I: FISH LIST APPENDIX II: HERP LIST APPENDIX III: BIRD LIST ANNEX I: FISH PHOTOS ANNEX II: HERP PHOTOS ANNEX III: NOTES ON FISH PHOTOGRAPHY 1 Introduction Freshwater fish, amphibians, reptile, and waterbirds are known to be specially diverse and abundant in Mekong Delta and Plain of the Reeds wetland habitats and play an important role in economic development of local communities. In Lang Sen Wetland Reserve (LSWR), these groups are widely used by people for food (meat), income generating (hunting). Many fish species are believed to spend their breeding and spawning in Lang Sen. These important species groups, however, have not been appropriately studied and documented in Lang Sen yet. Buckton et al (1999) compared 10 key wetland sites in the Mekong Delta and recorded 61 bird species in Lang Sen reserve (Buckton et al. 1999). There are also few surveys on the reserve fish and herpetofauna by Vietnamese research institutes but the findings have not been published. At the same time the Lang Sen fauna faces strong human impact, including hunting, habitat destruction, anthropological disturbances, hydrological manipulation, etc. Lang Sen still has no management plan for conservation and development of its fauna. The baseline zoological/biodiversity assessment in LSWR is designed to understand the reserve’s fauna, particular focusing on freshwater fish, amphibians, reptile, and birds, to identify the key ecological threats to its biodiversity, and to assist in setting conservation management plan for the area. The assessment of zoological resources is to provide the following: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) a baseline assessment of fish, reptiles, amphibians and waterbirds in the LSWR, including identification of species and estimated levels of abundances; a scientific foundation for management plans and conservation activities; a baseline for determining the impacts of management interventions, a species monitoring programme as a basis for potential sustainable use. 2 Methods 2.1 Habitats The study area was the protected zone of LSWR (Figure 1). The area is characterized by around 2000 hectares of seasonally inundated grasslands, open swamp, and planted Melaleuca forest. The biodiversity survey sought to determine the species composition and abundance of species found in the four main habitat types as briefly described below. Melaleuca plantation Melaleuca forest is the characteristic vegetation type of Lang Sen with Melaleuca cajuputi (Myrtaceae) is the dominant canopy tree. Some other tree species also occur in the forest canopy but are much less abundant, such as Alstonia spathulata (Apocynaceae), Ilex cymosa (Aquifoliaceae), and Euodia lepta (Rutaceae). Most of the observed treess are at a young stage, growing in small-tree, high-density stands. This condition suggests that the plantation have been planted recently. There was no observed living Melaleuca tree which was taller than 20 meters, or had a diameter at breast height (dbh) larger than 30 centimeters. Ferns are not observed in this forest type. 2 Grassland dominated by Eleocharis Grasslands are probably a secondary formation occurring on forestlands after the forest cover was removed by fires or by man-made clearing. Only one type of grasslands are identified: grassland dominated by Eleocharis spp.. Eleocharis dulcis grassland often occupies areas of low ground, which is deeply inundated and highly acidic. Open Swamp The term “open swamp” is used to refer to permanently and/or seasonally inundated natural water bodies, which are not occupied by large woody trees. Open swamps are inhabited by herbaceous species, most often with the presence of open water. Two different types of open swamp are identified in Lang Sen: lotus ??? swamp and open water swamp. The outside boundaries of the protected zone of LSWR abut agricultural and residential lands. Figure 1: Lang Sen Wetland Reserve and survey area 2.2 Sampling The complete habitat and biodiversity survey required 6 days (from October 5th to 10th 2006, ca. 50 working hours) of field time and was undertaken in the October 2006 rainy season. Due to the flooding condition and the limited number of surveying days, comprehensive active collecting fish and herp specimens were not always possible. Five working days have been used to carry out the field survey and one day has been used to check the fish and herp market in Tan Hung town. Engine boat has been used to travel along the canals inside and outside the protected area. The area covered and survey sites are represented in Figure 1. All specimens 3 are collected from fishermen and hunters at canals right next to the reserve and connected to the canal system inside the reserve. Therefore, species that are collected appear to reflect the fish and herp fauna of the reserve and also the region. Fish Fishing activities in the area around the reserve is very high with different methods. The fishing sampling methodology is roughly categorized in four groups as follow: - - Checking the fishing activities next to the reserve, collecting species from fishermen right at their fishing sites, and hiring fishermen for fishing by gill net, trap net (Figure 2), and dip net. Using gill net and dip net to collect some species inside the Reserve. Interviewing experienced fishermen for overview of fish species and the changes in fish fauna in the area. Checking the nearby local fish market in Tan Hung town, where all fish collected in the area around the Reserve are gathered there. The identification is based on various taxonomy literatures for the region (Mai Đình Yên et al. 1992; Rainboth 1996; Poulsen et al. 2004) Herp The existence of herp species is recorded either by photo taken or by specimen collected. Small reptiles were caught by pit fall traps set up around the headquarter area of the reserve and long the main dike. The pit fall trap has the dimension of 30 x 30 x 30cm, and is set on the ground. Depending on trap location, there are one or two traps with nets set up to direct the animals toward the traps. Traps are usually set up in places with lots of debris, surround by bushes, about 1-2 meters away from water body margins. Traps are checked daily in early morning (about 0600-0700) and late in the evening (1830-2030). Specimens collected during the survey are kept in Zoological Lab of Biology Faculty, Natural Science University of Ho Chi Minh City. The specimens are preserved in 10% formaldehyde. The identification is based on taxonomical literatures of Dao Van Tien (Đào Văn Tiến 1977; Đào Văn Tiến 1979; Đào Văn Tiến 1981). The names that are used in the report follow the name in checklist of herps in Vietnam 2005 (Nguyễn Văn Sáng et al. 2005). [More about herp survey route...]............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... Bird Bird species list has been compiled by direct sightings, local knowledge, and literature reviews (Buckton et al. 1999). Nomenclature and order follow Inskipp et al. (Inskipp et al. 1996). 4 Figure 2: Trap net, a common fishing method in LSWR and its vicinity Figure 3: Pit fall trap 3 Results: Fish 3.1 Species composition During the survey, about 80 species has been recorded (see Appendix I). A number of fish specimens have not been identifed to species level due to a few reasons; bad specimens collected from fish market, not enough literature or young specimens that have not been described in taxonomical literatures, some groups have been totally being reviewed are among the limiting factors. The fish fauna is typically the lowland Mekong fauna with many common economic species like snakeheads Channa spp., Climbing perch Anabas testudineus, Walking catfish Clarias spp., Bronze featherback Notopterus notopterus, Loaches Botia spp., Paralaubuca spp., Henichorhynchus sp.... The highest number of individuals recorded in gill nets and trap nets are Paralaubuca spp., Henichorhynchus siamensis, Botia spp.... Some species that have conservation value 5 also exist in the area like the Giant barb Catlocarpio siamensis, Black sharkminnow Morulius chrysophekadion. The Clown featherback Chitala ornata is now very rare. No specimens of this species are observed or collected during the survey. Wallago leeri, a very big silurid species, is also likely to exist in the area (from interview). This species, however, according to fishermen becomes very rare recently. The LSWR management board has announced a protected status for the Micronema spp. due to this species had been over caught lately. During the survey period, Micronema spp. fish are recorded in fish catch of local fishermen but mostly at small size of 1030 cm in standard length with low numbers. The protected status for this species involves banning fishing on small size. Many species have been recorded in smaller-than-standard sizes during the survey period. They are probably bred in the beginning of rainy season and develope in flooded areas inside the reserve. Observations in Tan Hung market have revealed some more species like Luciosoma bleekeri, Leiocassis siamensis... These are also native fish of the areas. The Marble goby Oxyeleotris marmorata, a high economic value species, is also observed in the market but in very few numbers. A most important large range migratory species is the Giant carp Catlocarpio siamensis that has been observed in small size of individuals only. The area is probably one of the feeding areas of this species in lower Mekong region. 3.2 Economic species and fishery The fish and fishery are apprently of high importance in the area. A large part of population makes living by fishing, almost every family does fishing, either for selling or for locally used. Species that have been recorded in fish market are mostly native species, only a few exceptions that some typically farmed species have been observed like the hybird Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. These species are from fish farms elsewhere, not the local region. Commonest species are observed in the market are Anabas testudineus, Channa striata, Macrograthus siamensis, Mastacembelus favus, Barbodes goniotus, and Monopterus albus. All of species are sold fresh. The Macrognathus siamensis is in extremely high numbers in the market. Morulius chrysophekadion, a classified vulnernable species in Vietnam is also observed abundant in the market, but mostly in small size (about 10cm). Only one big fish of this species (about 40cm) is observed. The Giant carp Catlocarpio siamensis, and endangered species in Vietnam, also exists in the market but with very few numbers. According to local people, Giant carp has not been observed in sizes exceeding a few kilograms. Some local people are even not aware that this species can grow up to hundreds of kilograms. The Henichorhynchus siamensis is one of the commonest species found both in the field and the market. However, it is not important in the area as food fish and is observed to be sold mixed with other small fish as food for farming snakeheads. At the time of the survey, this species appears to be one of the commonest species get caught by gill net and trap net, together with Paralaubuca spp. The commonest native farmed fish in the area is the Chevron snakehead Channa striata. Other important economic snakehead fish such as Channa micropeltes is not farmed commonly in the area. Interviews of local people revealed that the snakehead fish is sold and transported live while Channa micropeltes is not well survived for such transportation conditions. However there 6 is a trend to shift to farm the swamp eel Monopterus albus. This reason is related to the establishment of the LSWR and fish protection policy that will be discussed in the next sections. Before fish farmers also raise a species of snakehead that they call “big-lips” snakeheads. But due to the strong cannibalism of this species when they are left hungry, local people prefer to raise chevron snakehead again. The identification of this species, possbily a hybrid, is to be confirmed. There are several different fishing methods that have been used by local fishermen: weir, trap net, gillnet, seine, hook and line, lift net. The species compostion varies depending on the fishing method. The method that results highest number of species is trap net (Figure 2). It is a non-selective fishing method, therefore most likely all of common mid-water surface-water species are caught by this method, except for some very small/very large species and species that don't move much. This method is also seems to be the highest threat to the fish fauna in the area in terms of the long time. This issue will be discussed further in Section. Figure 4: “Lop” a kind of fish trap to catch sneakhead Beside Henichorhynchus siamensis, other common species get caught by gill net with mesh size 2.5cm are Osteochilus hasseltii, Pristolepis fasciata, Cycocheilichthys apogon, Mystus spp., Puntius brevis, and Trichopterus spp. The trap net has very much similar species composition but with some notably differences like lots of Botia spp. (seldomly seen in gill net), Acanthopsis sp. (never seen in gill net), few Mystus spp. observed in trap net. Hook and line are mostly used to catch snakeheads and catfish. In one small boat that is observed, lots of Mystus nemurus at the size about 15-20cm have been caught by this method over one night. The local people also have a trap call “lop” to catch specifically snakeheads (Figure 4). Another kind of trap is use to catch swamp eel. However, this method is only available when the water is low, which is not at the time the survey. Small and tiny species are collected by dip net like Trichopsis spp., Brachygobius aggregatus, and Demorgenys pusilla. Lift nets are observed in the area but have not been used due to the water still high. Local people also said that this method is not very effective now due to the intensive use of trap nets leads to the reducing fish enter lift net. Lift nets are usually used in canals with width less than 10 meters. Introduced fish escape from farms are not observed in the collecting work during the survey time, excepted one small tilapia Tilapia niloticus is recorded in a trap net. Whether or not other introduced species occur in the area needs to be confirmed. 7 4 Results: Herps 4.1 Species composition Six amphibian species of the Family Bufonidae and Family Ranidae, Order Anuraand and 17 species of reptiles from Order Squamata and Order Testudinata have been recorded during the expedition in LSWR (Appendix II). Except for the Common lowland Frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, the other amphibian species are recorded in the field and at night time. The observation of Hoplobatrachus rugulosus is not from the field but from the market. Of all amphibian species noted in LSWR, the Green puddle frog Occidozya lima and Yellow-billed puddle Frog Occidozyga laevis are quite common and usually being caught by trap net or gill net. Of the 17 species of reptiles perceived, there are four lizard species that mostly recorded in bushes along canals. Two species of freshwater turtles have been observed, of which the threatened Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartiginea is usually being by-caugh by fishing activities in the area. The most abundant reptile species observed in the survey area and the nearby market is Striped water snake Enhydris jagori. Only four specimens of Lygosoma quadrupes have been gathered. The number of collected specimens is limited due to the restrained (short) survey time and (flooding) conditions. According to the interview with local people, some species exist in the area but have not been recorded during the survey. They are Chàm quạp, rắn Mai gầm, Rùa sen, Rùa vàng, Cần đước. The number of these species has been greatly reduced recently compared to about ten years ago. 4.2 The value and current status of herp in the area The value of herp does not only reflect by the number of species. Hoplobatrachus rugulosus and nearly all snake species are used as a food source for local people. Figure 5: Traps for Common lowland Frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus 8 Body parts of some species with medicine value like turtle carapace has been used to make carapace glue and the toxins from Bufo melanostictus also has been used in traditional medicine. Because of those reasons, the herps have been hunted and sold in the local market. Among the 17 species of reptiles recorded, thirteen (and Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) have been observed being sold in the market. Python molurus and Enhydris jagori have been raised due to their high economic value. 5 Results: Birds The total bird of LSWR recorded during the survey and by literature review is 76 species of 33 families and 9 orders (Appendix III). Of these 76 species, only 2 (Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala) stand out as having important conservation values. Darter and Painted Stork have been quite commonly seen in the area during the survey. These two large water bird species require large water courses and relatively deep water levels for their foraging activities. For these reasons, the 1999 survey, which taken place in the dry season, did not observe the presence of these species (Buckton et al. 1999). 6 Discussions 6.1 Threats to fish fauna Even though fishing is a highly important part contributing to the economy of the area, the fishing productivity has been decreasing precipitously in recent years. Local people disclosed that back in 15-20 years ago Melaleuca and fish had had been important resources in making people in the area wealthy. At that time one family could handily catch 30-40 kg of fish per day. Drops in price of Melaleuca and the changes in hydrology regimes have restrained the growing capacity and quality of Melaleuca in the area, together with decreasing in fishing productivity. Each fishing method has different effects on the fish fauna. The trap net (“don” by local peopel) is apparently the most popular method in the area that can lead to the threat for fish fauna. Other fishing methods like drag-net (by boat, using very small size mesh, about 1cm), digging net (by boat) also exist in region but not as common as the trap net method. These also can be considered as threats to fish fauna if not managed properly. Electro-fishing is not commonly seen in the area at present and does not appear to be a big threat. Local authority has policy of reward payment for anyone who returns the device to them. Due to the popularity of trap net, the threat of this fishing method on fish fauna is possibly very high. The net is set over a few hundred meters long and blocks the movement way of nearly all fish (because of small mesh size) and leads them to the trap. Almost all moving species at size roughly from several centimeters up to 10cm get caught by this method. According to local people, this fishing method has existed in the area about more than ten years. The important note about it is that this method is run not by local people but the people from somewhere else, mostly in Hong Ngu region, Tan Hong District. The reason for this is because it has been forbidden in those areas, therefore those people coming to LSWR and its vicinity to fish. Due to its efficiency in catching fish, local people also follow this method, causing a worse situation. The trap net has been forbidden by commune authority about 5 9 years ago, but District authority has only officially forbidden this method recently. However, during a short time of survey, trap nets are still seen nearly in every open and shallow water bodies of the area. If not controlling properly, productivity and diversity are apparently will be decreased further and faster in the near future. Another important non-fishing related threat to fish fauna is the use of agro-chemicals. Due the drop in price of Melaleuca, many local people shift to grow rice. A big threat for rice crop is the Golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata. Farmers have tried various methods for limiting the spread of this species, including using a high concentration of agro-chemicals that can kill the snails even at high water levels. The intensive use of agro-chemicals started about 5-6 years ago and has been strictly forbidden last year (2005). The long-term effects of those chemicals on fish fauna and other aquatic organisms are to be expected. 6.2 The importance of LSWR for fish conservation and usage The Lang Sen Wetland Reserve is established to protect the wetland landscape in the region, in which freshwater fish is a very important factor. Fish does not only create income for local people, but also serves as food for many water birds species and an important part in the foodchain in nature. The survival of many water birds in the area apparently depends on fish diversity. How the decrease in fish fauna affecting birds fauna, how the toxic substances in fish (consumed during the use of agro-chemical and possibly other kinds of chemicals also) accumulated in higher food-chain levels like water birds in the area are poorly understood and not studied yet. Due to the long-waiting effects of those factors, the consequences could be only recognizable after a long time later, but controlling the use of agro-chemicals need to be done as strictly and as soon as possible. LSWR contributes a very important part to the fish protection of the area. The reserve is connected to outside areas by many canals, therefore it apparently can serve as a “refuge” for fish from the high pressure fishing activities outside. The flooded area inside the reserve is a good habitat for feeding and growing of many species (notably the Henichorhynchus siamensis with very high number caught by gill net) with young ones hatched from the beginning of rainy season. Many species with small size outside the protected areas but reaching very big size in the protected area like Channa spp., Anabas testudineus, and Pristolepis fasciata (Figure 5). Even though these species are not endangered but they contribute a very important part to the fishery. The reserve helps to protect them so they can reach the mature and breeding size. All fishing activities theoretically are forbidden inside the boundary of the area. Nevertheless, in order to get financial source to pay for newly staffed reserve and running cost, the management board has signed contracts to fishermen, allowing them fishing at some periods of times and some specific locations in the protected areas. Unlike other groups of wild animals, freshwater fish is a group of natural resources with strong renewing capability and therefore can be sustainably exploited. However, the schedule and regulations for this fishing activity should be studied and monitored in order to assure proper exploitation. Introduced species is not a big issue in the area, at least it is not observed during the time of the survey. Therefore this reserve could be a potential sanctuary for native fish fauna of the lower Mekong region. However a small area of the reserve (only about 2,000 hectares) makes it quite a limited region in terms of “buffering” the changes of the environment in surrounding areas. It is more likely that the changes in surrounding areas could have adverse effects on the 10 reserve. Because of this reason, environmental education is essential. Some environmental education activities are carried out by the reserve staffs, with the support of different projects (MWBP, CARE). Reserve staffs have run a few campaigns to convince local people around the protected area not to fish inside LSWR. They also build a “core” group among the locals with some senior members. These members are supposed to set the examples for other local people on fish protection and sustainable fishing. Figure 6: A big Pristolepis fasciata caught by gill net inside the Reserve during the survey. Outside the reserve they are very small. One of important activities related to fish is the support for some local people to raise swamp eels instead of snakehead fish. Local people feed snakeheads by smaller fish they catch from the wild (mostly by trap net and gill net). People who raise snakehead but do not do fishing then buy fish from other fishermen. These foodfish for snakeheads are also observed to be sold in the market. Snakehead is aggressive and carnivorous species and obviously they consume a big proportion of small fish, therefore indirectly lead to the decrease of other fish species due to the high demand on small fishes used as diet for them. The snakeheads are of course can be fed by artificial diet, but local people prefer using fresh and wild-caught small fish in the area to reduce cost in snakehead farming. With high value on market, swamp eel could to be a good “candidate” to replace snakeheads in fish farming, and they do not eat other fish. This program just has been started with small scale and at pilot level, if successful it can contribute a meaningful factor to reduce the pressure on non-selective fishing of small fish to provide food for snakeheads. The projects also support people to raise pigs for income instead of fishing. 6.3 Threats to herp fauna Hunting herps local consumption and selling may be the major threat to the LSWR’s herp fauna. 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Figure 7: Herps sold Tan Hung market, 7km from LSWR 7 Conclusions Despite the short time survey, the results show that LSWR has relatively diversified herp and bird species composition and a great diversity of fish fauna. The abundant of fish fauna is both in terms of species composition and quantities and typically the Mekong basin fauna. The number of species is expected to be much higher. The Giant carp, one of the flagship species of the Mekong region, is also recorded in the area. Some rare species also exist, making the area even more important to the fish biodiversity. 12 The survey is carried out during the flood season and it is seen that the area is important for the development of many species because the young ones hatching in the begining of rainy season are recorded with large quantities inside flooded areas of the reserve. However in order to make the appropriate comparisons and to see how important LSWR to fish diversity and fishery of the region, the survey on fishery on adjacent areas is needed. This can be done by reserve staffs after a short training by consultants and related institutional personnels. Unlike other groups of wild animals, fish resources can be exploited if it is done in a sustainable manner. How, when, where and what species are exploited needs a long-term study, which can not be accomplished and evaluated in a few days survey. It is suggested that this study and monitoring work should be left for staffs of the area through project activities. The fishing activities in some periods of time in the reserve that is approved by management board needs a scientific study and monitoring. Suggestions for changing and modifications of this activity based on scientific studies could be very useful for the management board to help them manage the area better to secure the fish resources. Due to a great importance of freshwater fish in a wetland reserve, the staffs should have skills to carry out themselves and basic study, and more importantly, monitoring some important species like Catlocarpio siamensis, Micronema spp... in order to help understand better the ecology of those species and to help protect them. Training for them and providing them some decent equipments for fish study is suggested. Local fishermen also should be involved in these activities to help them understand better the importance of the reserve in terms of securing the fish resources for local people. Different from terrestial habitats, aquatic habitat is more or less a whole entity. Any changes in unprotected areas around the reserve that can cause adverse effects on fish is more likely also affecting the habitat inside the area, especially water pollution. LSWR is a very small area in a vast wetland landscape of the lower Mekong river. It is therefore more vulnerable to changes in the environment of the surrounding areas. Because of this, the protection of the area only is clearly not enough. Environmental education activitites, sustainable fishing experiences, environmetal friendly income generation... are critical to help protecting the area. This group of activities are needed to be carried out as much as possible. There are some activities related to these being taken place. However, it needs more attention, investment and personnel. From fish and fishery aspects, the protection of LSWR should be looked from a sustainable management view rather than the in situ protection view. Many reptile species have been seen being used as medicine source. Generally herp species diversity and the number of individuals have greatly reduced compared to 10 years ago. Catching and marketing herps are quite common in the area. 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References Buckton, S., N. Cu, N. D. Tu, and H. Q. Quynh. 1999. The Conservation of key wetland sites in the Mekong Delta. BirdLife Vietnam, HCMC. Đào Văn Tiến. 1977. Khóa định loại ếch nhái Việt Nam. Tạp chí Sinh vật học 5:33-40. Đào Văn Tiến. 1979. Khóa định loại thằn lằn Việt Nam. Tạp chí Sinh vật học 2:2-10. Đào Văn Tiến. 1981. Khóa định loại rắn Việt Nam. Tạp chí Sinh vật học 11:1-17. Inskipp, T., N. Lindsey, and W. Duckworth 1996. An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region. Oriental Bird Club, Bedfordshire. Mai Đình Yên, et al. 1992. Identification of freshwater fishes of Southern Vietnam. Science and Techniques Publishing House, HCMC. Nguyễn Văn Sáng, Hồ Thu Cúc, and Nguyễn Quang Trường 2005. Danh lục ếch nhái và bò sát Việt Nam. Nhà xuất bản Nông Nghiệp., Hà Nội. Poulsen, A., et al. 2004. Distributions and ecology of some important fish species in Lower Mekong. MRC. Rainboth, W. 1996. Fishes of The Cambodian Mekong. FAO. 14 Appendix 1 List of fish species recorded in LSWR Scientific names used here follow the system in Fishes of Cambodian Mekong by Walter J. Rainboth (1996). The synonyms in square brackets from Fresh water fishes of Southern Vietnam (Mai Dinh Yen et al., 1992) are included for comparisons. Species without second Latin names in parenthese are either have the same names used in the Vietnamese book and this report or not available in the Vietnamese book. The comparisons of names are based on the description of species in the book and specimens examined, therefore it maybe not accurate. The local names recorded during the survey are basically the same like Vietnamese names used in the Vietnamese book, otherwised will be mentioned. Vietnamese names of fish, when available, are provided for references. OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES Family Notopteridae 1. Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1780) [Notopterus notopterus] – Cá thát lát 2. Chitala cf. ornata (Gray, 1831) [Notopterus chitala] – Cá còm (cá nàng hai) Note: interview. CLUPEIFORMES Clupeidae 3. Corica laciniata Fowler, 1935 – Cá cơm 4. Clupeoides borneensis Bleeker, 1851 – Cá cơm trích CYPRINIFORMES Cyprinidae 5. Paralaubuca typus Bleeker, 1865 – Cá thiểu mẫu 6. Paralaubuca riveroi Fowler, 1935 – Cá thiểu nam 7. Parachela siamensis (Gunther, 1868) 8. Esomus metallicus Ahl, 1924 – Cá lòng tong sắt 9. Luciosoma bleekeri Steindachner, 1879 – Cá lòng tong mương 10. Leptobarbus hoevenii (Bleeker, 1851) – Cá chài 11. Rasbora dusonensis (Bleeker, 1851) [Rasbora argyrotaenia ?] - Cá lòng tong đá 12. Rasbora borapetensis Smith, 1934 – Cá đỏ đuôi 13. Rasbora trilineata Steindachner, 1870 – Cá lòng tong sọc 14. Rasbora paviei (Tirant, 1885) [Rasbora lateristriata] – Cá lòng tong vạch 15. Rasbora cf. urophthalmoides Kottenlat, 1991 Note: interview 16. Cyclocheilichthys apogon (Valenciennes, 1842) – Cá cóc đậm Note: the local people call this species “cá ba kỳ”, which in Vietnamese book refers to Cyclocheilichthys repasson. 17. Cyclocheilichthys sp. 18. Cosmochilus sp. 19. Puntioplites proctozysron (Bleeker, 1865) – Cá dảnh 20. Barbodes altus (Gunther, 1868) [Puntius altus] - Cá he vàng 21. Barbodes goniotus (Bleeker, 1850) [Puntius goniotus] - Cá mè vinh (trà vinh) 22. Hypsibarbus sp. 23. Hypsibarbus cf. suvatti Rainboth, 1996 24. Poropuntius sp. 25. Hampala macrolepidota Smith, 1934 – Cá ngựa nam 26. Puntius brevis (Bleeker, 1860) [Puntius leiacanthus] – Cá dầm (cá dầm đất, mè đất) 27. Catlocarpio siamensis Boulenger, 1898 – Cá hô 28. Dangila lineata (Sauvage, 1878) [Labiobarbus lineatus] – Cá linh tía 29. Dangila spilopleura Smith, 1934 [Labiobarbus spilopleura] – Cá linh rìa 30. Henicorhynchus siamensis deBeaufort, 1927 [Cirrhinus jullieni] - Cá linh ống 31. Morulius chrysophekadion (Bleeker, 1850) – Cá ét mọi 32. Osteochilus hasseltii (Valenciennes, 1842) – Cá mè lúi 33. Osteochilus lini Fowler, 1935 – Cá đỏ kỳ 34. Osteochilus melanopleurus (Bleeker, 1852) [Osteochilus melanopleura] – Cá mè hôi 35. Crossocheilus reticulatus (Fowler, 1934) [Epalzeorhynchos coatesi] – Cá nút 36. Lobocheilus sp. (rhabdoura ?) Cobitidae 37. Botia modesta Bleeker, 1865 – Cá heo vạch Note: the description in Vietnamese book are based on small specimens (maximum SL=5cm), therefore they all have small bars. 38. Botia helodes Sauvage, 1876 [Botia hymenophysa] – Cá heo rừng 39. Botia lecontei Fowler, 1937 40. Botia sp. 41. Acanthopsis sp. (Acanthopsis choirorhynchos) – Cá khoai (local name) SILURIFORMES Bagridae 42. Leiocassis siamensis Regan, 1913 – Cá chốt bông 43. Mystus nemurus (Valenciennes, 1839) Note: based on description in the Vietnamese book, the name Mystus nemurus in the book is probably the description of Mystus wyckioides (Fishbase name: Hemibagrus wyckioides). Therefore the common name “cá lăng nha” is probably should be refered to the M.wyckioides. This common name also has been used in Dong Nai river area for the same species. 44. Mystus albolineatus Roberts, 1994 [possibly Mystus cavasius] – Cá chốt ngựa. 45. Mystus mysticetus Roberts, 1992 [Mystus vittatus] – Cá chốt sọc 46. Mystus rhegma Fowler, 1935 – Cá chốt vạch 47. Mystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822) – Cá chốt 48. Mystus sp. Note: The identification of genus Mystus may need more specimens to confirm and make comparisons for the Vietnamese common names applied to different species. Siluridae 49. Micronema micronema (Bleeker, 1846) 50. Micronema bleekeri (Gunther, 1864) – Cá trèn thước Note: The local name “cá kết” is possibly applied for both species of genus Micronema. 51. Wallago attu (Schneider, 1801) – Cá leo 52. Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1797) – Cá trèn bầu 53. Kryptopterus cryptopterus (Bleeker, 1851) – Cá trèn đá 54. Belodontichthys dinema (Bleeker, 1851) [Wallgo dinema] – Cá trèn răng Pangasiidae 55. Pagasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880 – Cá ba sa 56. Pangasius siamensis Steindachner, 1879 – Cá sát xiêm Clariidae 57. Clarias macrocephalus Gunther, 1864 – Cá trê vàng 58. Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) – Cá trê trắng BELONIFORMES Belonidae 59. Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton, 1822) – Cá nhái Hemiramphidae 60. Dermogenys pusilla van Hasselt, 1823 – Cá lìm kìm ao Adrianichthyidae 61. Oryzias sp. (observed) SYNBRANCHIFORMES Synbranchidae 62. Monopterus albus (Zuiew, 1793) [Fluta alba] - Lươn Chaudhuriidae 63. Chaudhuria caudata Annandale, 1918 Mastacembelidae 64. Mastacembelus favus Hora, 1923 (Mastacembelus armatus favus) – Cá chạch bông 65. Mastacembelus cf. erythrotaenia Bleeker, 1870 66. Macrognathus taeniagaster (Fowler, 1935) – Cá chạch rằn 67. Macrognathus siamensis (Gunther, 1861) – Cá chạch lá tre 68. Macrognathus semiocellatus Roberts, 1986 PERCIFORMES Chandidae 69. Pseudambassis notatus (Blyth, 1860) [Chanda siamensis] – Cá sơn xiêm Nandidae 70. Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822) – Cá sặc vện 71. Pristolepis fasciata (Bleeker, 1851) – Cá rô biển Cichlidae 72. Tilapia niloticus (Linnaeus, 1757) – Cá rô phi Note: introduced Eleotridae 73. Oxyeleotris marmorata (Bleeker, 1852) – Cá bống tượng Gobiidae 74. Brachygobius aggregatus Herre, 1940 Anabantidae 75. Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) – Cá rô đồng Belontiidae 76. Betta splendens Regan, 1909 – Cá thia xiêm 77. Trichogaster microlepis (Gunther, 1861) – Cá sặc điệp 78. Trichogaster trichopterus (Pallas, 1770) – Cá sặc bướm 79. Trichopsis pumila (Arnold, 1937) 80. Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831) – Cá bãi trầu Channidae 81. Channa lucius (Cuvier, 1831) [Ophicephalus lucius] – Cá tràu dầy 82. Channa micropeltes (Cuvier, 1831) [Ophicephalus micropeltes] – Cá lóc bông 83. Channa striata (Bloch, 1795) [Ophicephalus striatus] – Cá lóc (tràu) PLEURONECTIFORMES Cynoglossidae 84. Cynoglossus microlepis (Bleeker, 1851) TETRAODONTIFORMES Tetraodontidae 85. Monotreta cambodgiensis (Chabanaud, 1923) [Tetrodon leiurus] – Cá nóc dài 86. Monotreta fangi (Pellegrin and Chevey, 1940) Appendix II List of herp species recorded in LSWR No. Scientific name Class Amphibia Order Anura Family Bufonidae 1 Bufo melanostictus Schneider 1799. Họ Ranidae Vietnamese name English name Lưỡng cư Amphibian Bộ Ếch nhảy, ếch không đuôi Họ Cóc Cóc nhà Asian common toad Họ ếch nhái 2 Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Wiegmann, 1835) Ếch đồng Common lowland frog 3 Limnonectes limnocharis (Boie, 1834) Ngóe Grass frog, rice frog 4 Occidozyga laevis (Gunther, 1859 “1858”) Cóc nước nhẵn Yellow-bellied puddle frog 5 Occidozyga lima (Gravenhorst, 1829) Cóc nước sần, ngóe bèo Green puddle frog 6 Rana erythraea (Schlegel, 1837) Chàng xanh Green paddy frog Vietnamese name English name No. Scientific name Lớp Reptilia 1 Bộ Squamata Bộ có vẩy Họ Gekkonidae Họ Tắc kè Hemidactylus frenatus Schelegel, in Dumeril et Bibron, 1836 Họ Agamidae 2 Lớp bò sát Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) Họ Scincidae Thạch sùng đuôi sần Spiny-tailed house gecko Họ Nhông Nhông xanh Garden fence lizard Họ Thằn lằn bóng 3 Mabuya sp. Thằn lằn bóng 4 Lygosoma quadrupes (Linnaeus, 1766) Thằn lằn chân ngắn Short-limbed supple skink Rắn trun, rắn hai đầu Red-taileed pipe snake Họ Uropeltidae 5 Cylindrophis ruffus (Laurenti, 1768) No. Scientific name Họ Boidae 6 Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758) Họ Collubridae Vietnamese name English name Họ Trăn Pythons Trăn đất Burmese python Họ rắn nước Colubrid snake 7 Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Rắn leo cây Common bronzeback snake 8 Elaphe flavolineata (Schlegel, 1837) Rắn hổ ngựa Black copper rat snake 9 Enhydris bocourti (Jan, 1856) Rắn ri voi Bocourt’s water snake 10 Enhydrid enhydris (Schneider, 1799) Rắn bông súng Rainbow water snake 11 Enhydris jagori (Peter, 1836) Rắn bù lịch, bù quạp Striped water snake 12 Erpeton tentaculatum Lacépède, 1800 Rắn râu Tentaculed snake 13 Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799) Rắn nước Checkered keelback 14 Amphiesma stolata (Linnaeus, 1758) Rắn sãi thường Striped keelback Họ Viperidae 15 Trimeresurus albolaris Gray, 1842 Bộ Testudinata Họ Emydidae 16 Cuora amboinensis (Daudin, 1802) Họ Trionychidae 17 Amyda cartiginea (Boddaert, 1770) Họ rắn lục Rắn lục mép trắng White-lipped pit viper Bộ rùa Họ rùa dầm Rùa nắp lưng đen Malayan box turtle Họ ba ba Cua đinh Asiatic softshell turtle Appendix III List of bird species recorded in LSWR Nomenclature and order follow Inskipp et al. (1996). Conservation status: - Vietnam Red Data Book: R: nationally rare species - IUCN Redlist 2006: LR: globally near-threatened (low risk) - CITES Convention: Appendix II Scientific name Common name Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List CITES ANSERIFORMES Dendrocygnidae 1 Dendrocygna javanica Lesser Whistling-duck - Le nâu Anatidae 2 Anas poecilorhyncha Spot-billed Duck - Vịt trời 3 Anas querquedula Garganey - Mồng két mày trắng TURNICIFORMES Turnicidae 4 Turnix tanki Yellow-legged Buttonquail - Cun cút lưng hung CORACIIFORMES Alcedinidae 5 Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher - Bồng chanh, Chài chài 6 Alcedo meninting Blue-eared Kingfisher - Bồng chanh tai xanh Halcyonidae 7 Halcyon smyrnensis White-throated Kingfisher - Sả đầu nâu 8 Todiramphus chloris Collared Kingfisher - Sả khoang cổ, Chẽo chẹt Cerylidae 9 Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher - Bói cá nhỏ Meropidae 10 Merops orientalis Green Bee-eater - Trảu đầu hung 11 Merops philippinus Blue-tailed Bee-eater - Trảu họng vàng CUCULIFORMES Cuculidae 12 Cacomantis merulinus Plaintive Cuckoo - Tìm vịt 13 Eudynamys scolopacea Asian Koel - Tu hú 14 Phaenicophaeus tristis Green-billed Malkoha - Phướn, Coọc Centropodidae 15 Centropus sinensis Greater Coucal - Bìm bịp lớn 16 Centropus bengalensis Lesser Coucal - Bìm bịp nhỏ STRIGIFORMES Caprimulgidae 17 Caprimulgus macrurus Large-tailed Nightjar - Cú muỗi đuôi dài, Chim ục COLUMBIFORMES Columbidae 18 Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Dove - Cu gáy, Cu đất 19 Streptopelia tranquebarica Red Collared Dove - Cu ngói 20 Treron vernans Pink-necked Green Pigeon - Cu xanh đầu xám GRUIFORMES App. II Scientific name Common name Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Rallidae 21 Amaurornis phoenicurus White-breasted Waterhen - Cuốc ngực trắng 22 Porzana fusca Ruddy-breasted Crake - Cuốc ngực nâu 23 Gallicrex cinerea Watercock - Gà đồng, Cúm núm 24 Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen - Kịch, Trích ré CICONIIFORMES Jacanidae 25 Hydrophasianus chirurgus Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Gà lôi nước Charadriidae 26 Vanellus indicus Red-wattled Lapwing - Te vặt Glareolidae 27 Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole - Dô nách nâu, Óc cau Accipitridae 28 Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite - Diều trắng Podicipedidae 29 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe - Le hôi Anhingidae 30 Anhinga melanogaster LR Darter - Cổ rắn, Điêng điểng Phalacrocoracidae 31 Phalacrocorax niger Little Cormorant - Cốc đen, Còng cọc Ardeidae 32 Egretta garzetta Little Egret - Cò trắng 33 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron - Diệc xám 34 Ardea purpurea Purple Heron - Diệc lửa 35 Casmerodius albus Great Egret - Cò ngàng lớn 36 Mesophoyx intermedia Intermediate Egret - Cò ngàng nhỏ 37 Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret - Cò ruồi 38 Ardeola bacchus Chinese Pond Heron - Cò bợ 39 Ardeola speciosa Javan Pond Heron - Cò bợ Java 40 Butorides striatus Little Heron - Cò xanh 41 Ixobrychus sinensis Yellow Bittern - Cò lửa lùn 42 Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bittern - Cò lửa 43 Dupetor flavicollis Black Bittern - Cò hương Ciconiidae 44 Mycteria leucocephala Painted Stork - Cò lạo Ấn Độ, Giang sen PASSERIFORMES Pardalotidae 45 Gerygone sulphurea Golden-bellied Gerygone - Chích bụng vàng Laniidae 46 Lanius cristatus Brown Shrike - Bách thanh mày trắng Corvidae 47 Crypsirina temia Racket-tailed Treepie - Chim khách 48 Rhipidura javanica Pied Fantail - Rẻ quạt Java 49 Dicrurus macrocercus Black Drongo - Chèo bẻo 50 Aegithina tiphia Common Iora - Chim nghệ ngực vàng Muscicapidae 51 Copsychus saularis Oriental Magpie Robin - Chích chòe, Chích chòe than 52 Saxicola caprata Pied Bushchat - Sẻ bụi đen Sturnidae 53 Sturnus burmannicus Vinous-breasted Starling - Sáo sậu đầu trắng Hirundinidae 54 Riparia riparia Sand Martin - Nhạn nâu xám 55 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow - Nhạn bụng trắng 56 Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow - Nhạn bụng xám R LR CITES Scientific name Common name Pycnonotidae 57 58 Pycnonotus goiavier Yellow-vented Bulbul - Bông lau mày trắng Pycnonotus blanfordi Streak-eared Bulbul - Bông lau tai vằn Cisticolidae 59 Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola - Chiền chiện đồng hung 60 Prinia flaviventris Yellow-bellied Prinia - Chiền chiện bụng vàng 61 Prinia inornata Plain Prinia - Chiền chiện bụng hung Zosteropidae 62 Zosterops palpebrosus Oriental White-eye - Vành khuyên họng vàng Sylviidae 63 Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Black-browed Reed Warbler - Chích đầu nhọn mày đen 64 Acrocephalus orientalis Oriental Reed Warbler - Chích đầu nhọn Phương Đông 65 Orthotomus sutorius Common Tailorbird - Chích đuôi dài 66 Orthotomus atrogularis Dark-necked Tailorbird - Chích bông cánh vàng 67 Megalurus palustris Striated Grassbird - Chiền chiện lớn 68 Macronous gularis Striped Tit Babbler - Chích chạch má vàng Nectariniidae 69 Dicaeum cruentatum Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker - Chim sâu lưng đỏ 70 Anthreptes malacensis Brown-throated Sunbird - Hút mật họng nâu 71 Nectarinia jugularis Olive-backed Sunbird - Hút mật họng tím Passeridae 72 Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Sẻ 73 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail - Chìa vôi vàng 74 Anthus rufulus Paddyfield Pipit - 75 Ploceus philippinus Baya Weaver - Rồng rộc 76 Lonchura punctulata Scaly-breasted Munia - Di đá Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List CITES Annex 3. Photos of some fish specimens collected in LSWR All photos taken by Bui Huu Manh Notopterus notopterus 0050 Esomus metallicus 0611, SL: 3.8cm Clupeoides borneensis 0460 Leptobarbus hoevenii, juvenile 0423, SL: 10.5cm Corica lacciniata 0477, SL: 3.6cm Rasbora borapetensis 0892, SL: 2.7cm Paralaubuca typus 0467, SL: 6.3cm Rasbora paviei 0831, SL: 4.2cm Paralaubuca riveroi 0073, SL: 6.5cm Rasbora dusonensis 0450, SL: 7.4cm Rasbora trilineata 0121, SL: 3.4cm Cosmochilus sp. 0409, SL: 10.4cm Cyclocheilichthys sp. 0942, SL: 12.4cm Barbodes altus 0421, SL: 6.4cm Poropuntius sp. 0220, SL: 5.7cm Puntioplites proctozysron 0222, SL: 7.2cm Hampala macrolepidota 0143, SL: 5.5cm Cyclocheilichthys apogon 0063, SL: 8.2cm Hampala macrolepidota 0618, young one, SL: 3.2cm Catlocarpio siamensis 0429, SL: 10.3cm Puntius brevis 0088, SL: 5.7cm Dangila lineata 0416, SL: Puntius brevis (?) 0102, SL: 4.5cm Dangila spilopleura 0931, SL: 4.8cm Barbodes goniotus 0245, SL: 11cm Henicorhynchus siamensis 0107, SL: 7.5cm Hypsibarbus suvatti 0412, SL: 8.3cm Lobocheilos sp. (rhabdoura ?) 0259, SL: 5.7cm Morulius chrysophekadion 0251, SL: 7.8cm Osteochilus hasseltii 0075, SL: 9.8cm Botia helodes 0068, SL: 7cm Botia modesta 0642, SL: Botia cf. modesta (young one) 0260, SL: 4.9cm Osteochilus melanopleurus 0626, SL: 8cm Ostheochilus lini 0959, SL: 6..2cm Crossocheilus reticulatus 0249, SL: 5.2cm Botia lecontei 0636, SL: Mystus nemurus 0097, SL: 6cm Mystus albolineatus 0614, SL: 10.5cm Botia sp. (similar to B.modesta but with black spots on dorsal and caudal fins, clearer when the fish grows larger), SL of smallest specimen: 4.7cm (0918) Mystus singaringan 0057, SL: 5cm Acanthopsis sp. 0216, SL: 7.5cm Mystus rhegma 0651, SL: 6.8cm Leiocassis siamensis 0966, SL: 12.1cm Mystus mysticetus 0645, SL: 7.5cm Mystus gulio 0657, SL: 5.8cm Ompok bimaculatus 0126, SL: 12.5cm Mystus cf. gulio 0463, SL: 5.1cm Wallago attu 0043, SL: 24cm Belodontichthys dinema 0435, SL: 15.2cm Pangasius bocourti 0044, SL: 19.1cm Kryptopterus cryptopterus 0473, SL: 7cm Micronema micronema 0042, SL: 29cm Pangasius siamensis 0231, SL: 5.8cm Clarias macrocephalus 0440, SL: 7.8 cm Micronema bleekeri 0933, SL: 15.8cm Clarias batrachus 0446, SL: 8.6cm Xenentodon cancila 0738, SL: 13cm Macrognathus semiocellatus 0267, SL: 15cm Dermogenys pusilla 0806, SL: Mastacembelus favus 0046, SL: 22cm Mastacemblus cf. erythrotaenia , juvenile?, SL: 9.6cm (0748) Monopterus albus 0272, SL: 25cm Pseudambassis notatus 0621, SL: 3cm Chaudhuria caudata 0886, SL: 3cm Macrognathus siamensis 0052, SL: 10.2cm Nandus nandus 0134, SL: 5cm Macrognathus taeniagaster 0084, SL: 9.5cm Trichogaster microlepis 0113, SL: 7.3cm Pristolepis fasciata 0090, SL: 5cm Trichopsis vittata 0268, SL: 4cm Oreochromis niloticus 0145, SL: 6cm Trichopsis pumila 0486, SL: 2.4cm Brachygobius aggregatus 0814, SL: 1.7cm Anabas testudineus 0085, SL: 5cm Trichogaster trichopterus 0133, SL: 5cm Betta splendens 0897, SL: 2.4cm Channa micropeltes, juvenile 0481, SL: Channa striata, juvenile 0902, SL: 6.6cm Monotreta fangi 0079, SL: 3.5cm Monotreta cf. cambodgiensis 0785, SL: Annex II: Photos of some herp species recorded in LSWR Bufo melanostictus Hoplobatrachus rugulosus Occidozyga laevis Limnonectes limnocharis Occidozyga lima Rana erythraea Lygosoma quadrupes Photo: Bùi Hữu Mạnh Calotes versicolor Mabuya sp. Cylindrophis ruffus Python molurus Elaphe flavolineata Enhydrid enhydris Enhydris bocourti Enhydris jagori Xenochrophis piscator Erpeton tentaculatum Cuora amboinensis Amyda cartiginea Annex III. Notes on fish photography This part of writing is provided in order to help readers understanding better the possbile changes of fish coloration in photos included in this report. The adjustment of these photos on computer is based on case-by-case with the highest priority of preserving the original coloration of the fish, at least at the time the photo is taken. All fish photos in Annex 3 are specimens collected during this survey. Due the importance of coloration in fish identification, the specimens are required to be photo-taken as fresh as possible. Taking photos of fish specimens is not very easy due to the material is “wet”. Fish illustrations in this document are photo-taken by a method that is observed to be used by T.Roberts, but with much more simplification. The method that T.Roberts uses requires a right time in the day with non-flashed photo-taking to eliminate shadows. Due to the time limit of the survey and the high number of specimens, all photos are taken at late in the afternoon (when natural light is not enough) or at night time, therefore flash is forced to be used. The disadvantage of using flash is the potential of reflecting from fish scales. However because specimens are photo-taken while immersed in the water, this effects can be reduced. The reflect is more likely to come out from water surface and can be cropped out, unless they are right on the fish, but in this case, the photo is un-usable anyway. Only a few species with very bright, shining scales can result a bad reflex in photos. The advantage of using flash is that the light is fully under control, not depending on ambient light. No specific equipments neither external flash are used in these photos. All photos are taken by the Fuji FinePix S9500 with built-in flash. Because of these, shadows are inavoidable in those photos. The main purpose of the photos included here are to help recognizing the species in an easiest way (through color photos, also to let other fish specialists to recognize possible wrong identifications in this report if any), therefore shadows in photos is secondary factor in this case. In some cases, a free and Open Source graphic software GIMP is used to remove the “bad” background of the photos and replace by a different one. This is actually can be done for all illustrations to remove the shadows of all photos. However, it is very timeconsuming therefore not done yet. The color of the background is not the same in these photos because they are selected to best match the original background. The reason for this is that the fins of many species are transparent or semi-transparent, therefore they reflect partly the color of the background. Even though color of the background is the same (white) in most of photos, they are changed to different color after the adjustment of photos (only brightness and contrast, to best preserve the coloration of fish), thus leads to the different background after adjustment. If the same background (like blue, many fish photographers prefer this color) is applied, then the fins of many species look un-natural because they don't match the color on the fins with original background (which is changed after the adjustment of the photos to best reveal the coloration). Some species haven't been examined when they are fresh, therefore only photos of specimens in formaldehyde are available. Photos of some species are not available because specimens are not collected or the specimens are so bad that make it's not worth to take photos. 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