Efficacy of camera traps in detecting primates in Hue Saola Nature Reserve.

Camera trapping has been demonstrated to be an effective tool in surveying a suite of species, especially elusive mammals in rough terrains. The method has become increasingly common in primate surveys for both ground-dwelling and arboreal taxa in many tropical regions of the world. However, camera trapping has rarely been used to inventory primates in Vietnam, although many species are under severe threats and in critical need of surveying for improved conservation measures. In this study, we employed camera trapping to primarily investigate the possible continued presence of galliform species, but also to opportunistically record primate species, in Hue Saola Nature Reserve in central Vietnam. We documented five primate species, including the northern pig-tailed macaque Macaca leonina, the stump-tailed macaque Macaca arctoides, the rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta, the pygmy slow loris Nycticebus pygmaeus, and the red-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus, which represents a majority of primate diversity in the reserve. The results show that camera trapping may be an option for documenting primate diversity, and seasonal and daily activities of ground-dwelling taxa. Our data also suggest that although human disturbance is still rampant in the area, Hue Saola Nature Reserve appears to be reasonably well protected compared to other conservation areas in Indochina. In particular, it is home to several highly threatened primates, and it therefore plays a crucial role in primate conservation in Vietnam. However, these populations are in need of greater protection, such as more targeted patrols to remove snares and prevent other violations.

Phylogeography of red muntjacs reveals three distinct mitochondrial lineages.

BACKGROUND: The members of the genus Muntiacus are of particular interest to evolutionary biologists due to their extreme chromosomal rearrangements and the ongoing discussions about the number of living species. Red muntjacs have the largest distribution of all muntjacs and were formerly considered as one species. Karyotype differences led to the provisional split between the Southern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) and the Northern Red Muntjac (M. vaginalis), but uncertainties remain as, so far, no phylogenetic study has been conducted. Here, we analysed whole mitochondrial genomes of 59 archival and 16 contemporaneous samples to resolve uncertainties about their taxonomy and used red muntjacs as model for understanding the evolutionary history of other species in Southeast Asia. RESULTS: We found three distinct matrilineal groups of red muntjacs: Sri Lankan red muntjacs (including the Western Ghats) diverged first from other muntjacs about 1.5 Mya; later northern red muntjacs (including North India and Indochina) and southern red muntjacs (Sundaland) split around 1.12 Mya. The diversification of red muntjacs into these three main lineages was likely promoted by two Pleistocene barriers: one through the Indian subcontinent and one separating the Indochinese and Sundaic red muntjacs. Interestingly, we found a high level of gene flow within the populations of northern and southern red muntjacs, indicating gene flow between populations in Indochina and dispersal of red muntjacs over the exposed Sunda Shelf during the Last Glacial Maximum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide new insights into the evolution of species in South and Southeast Asia as we found clear genetic differentiation in a widespread and generalist species, corresponding to two known biogeographical barriers: The Isthmus of Kra and the central Indian dry zone. In addition, our molecular data support either the delineation of three monotypic species or three subspecies, but more importantly these data highlight the conservation importance of the Sri Lankan/South Indian red muntjac.

Distribution and conservation status of the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Lao PDR: an update.

The endangered red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus), endemic to Lao PDR, Vietnam, and perhaps Cambodia, remains little known. The Lao population is highly threatened. To improve conservation prospects of the species there, we here update a status review from 1999. Subsequent literature (mostly not readily available to the outside scientific community) was reviewed critically. Doucs and their habitat in Lao PDR faced continuous, increasing threats in the past 10 years through large development projects and heavy hunting. Many locations with records from the 1990s were not surveyed in the last decade, so douc persistence remains uncertain in them. Given the poor status of the species in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Lao population is surely the world's largest and the best hope for the species' global conservation. Resources for conserving species are very limited in the country, urging prioritization of populations, so available resources have maximum effect. Nakai-Nam Theun and Hin Namno National Protected Areas hold the largest populations of P. nemaeus, but face great threats from hunting. Management of these areas (and secondary priority areas) should focus on control of this illegal activity.