summary of biological doctoral thesis: Research on species composition, distribution and current status of Scorpiones in the North Central region of Vietnam

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The research objective of the thesis is to determine the species composition, distribution and current status of scorpion species in the North Central region, Viet Nam to contribute and create a scientific basis for exploitation, use and development these species in an effective, safe and sustainable way.

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Nội dung Text: summary of biological doctoral thesis: Research on species composition, distribution and current status of Scorpiones in the North Central region of Vietnam

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TRAINING TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ----------------------------- Tran Thi Hang RESEARCH ON SPECIES COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION AND CURRENT STATUS OF SCORPIONES IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION OF VIETNAM Major: Zoology Code: 9 42 01 03 SUMMARY OF BIOLOGICAL DOCTORAL THESIS Ha Noi - 2020
This dissertation was completed at Graduate University Science and Technology – Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology The first supervisor : Asso. Prof. Dr. Pham Dinh Sac The second supervisor: Prof. Dr. Wilson R Lourenco The first reviewer: … The second reviewer: … The thirt reviewer: …. This dissertation will be defended before the academic evaluation board of the doctoral thesis, at meeting room in Graduate University Science and Technology – Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in ...h’, date … 2018…. Please reference in: - Library of Graduate University Science and Technology - Vietnam national library
1 INTRODUCTION 1. Reason for choosing the topic Scorpions are one of the oldest groups of arthropoda in both genetics and morphology. Currently more than 2,000 species of scorpions have been recorded, distributed on most continents, except Antarctica, New Zealand, northern Patagonia and the Antarctic islands. Scorpions are carnivores, food in nature consisting of insects and small animals such as cockroaches, grasshoppers, locusts, mantis, many other invertebrates. Scorpions are often found under layers of soil, rocks, and rotten wood, they can burrow in shallow, sandy layers. Scorpion plays an important role in human life in the fields of economics, agriculture, forestry, medicine, the environment and has a major role in establishing biological balance in nature. In nature, scorpions reproduce a lot but are poorly developed, and the survival in the offspring is not high. In addition, today, the habitat is destroyed along with the mass exploitation for food and medicine, so the number of scorpions is decreasing. The habitat of scorpions is destroyed leading to affect their growth, development and distribution. Human activities shrink the habitat of scorpions, resulting in a decline in many of the scorpion species, which are in the endangered group and can become extinct if left unprotected. In Vietnam, studies on scorpions are few and scattered, In 2016, 34 species of scorpions were recorded belonging to 11 genera and 6 families. Particularly, the North Central region in recent years has only had a few preliminary surveys. For above all reason, I choose the topic "Research on species composition, distribution and current status of Scorpiones in the North Central region of Vietnam". 2. Objects of research The research objective of the thesis is to determine the species composition, distribution and current status of scorpion species in the North Central region, Viet Nam to contribute and create a scientific basis for exploitation, use and development these species in an effective, safe and sustainable way. 3. The main contents of the dissertation - Researchon on species composition of scorpiones in study area - Researchon on distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to biotope, seasons, elevation, geographic area. - Researchon on current status of the scorpiones in the North Central based on IUCN criteria. 4. The meaning of the dissertation Scientific significance: The results have systematically assessed the species composition and distribution of scorpions in the North Central region, Viet Nam, contributing to the scientific basis for usage and development these species: ensure safety, efficient and sustainable. The thesis described 2 new species for science, including Vietbocap quinquemilia and Vietbocap aurantiacus. Until now, these distribution are only collected in Vietnam and the North Central region. The dissertation has also added 2 new records for
2 this area, including Liocheles australasiae and Heterometrus laoticus. The research also elaborates on the composition and composition structure of scorpions in the North Central region, Viet Nam. Practical significance: Determining the habitat and distribution of scorpion species in the North Central region according to the characteristics of the habitat, altitude, season, and geographic region of the study area. Assess the current status of the scorpion species in the study area according to the IUCN guidelines. The results add to the scientific basis for development and planning, protection of rare scorpion species in the region and for Vietnam, including genus Vietbocap, species Euscorpiops dakrong CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW 1.1. The situation of research on scorpiones in the world 1.1.1. Research situation on species composition of scorpiones in the world There are approximately 2,000 species of scorpions belonging to 180 genera, 18 families depicted in the world, representing about 1.5% of the known number of arachnids, although exact numbers are estimated. The difference between scorpion species in different studies is very large. Up to now, due to the scientific point of view of scientists, there are still many different classification systems of some authors, so the number of scorpion families in the opinion of this author is also different. 1.1.2. Research situation on morphological, biological and ecological characteristics of scorpiones in the world Scorpions are one of the ancient and geologically rich groups of arthropods. Scorpion features have changed very little compared to when they first appeared on Earth in the Silurian period. Scorpion species vary in body size, color, distribution and detailed morphological features, but common structures may be more or less similar. 1.1.3. Research situation on distribution and habitat of scorpiones in the world Distribution and habitat studies of scorpions focus on species composition in fauna, regional distribution, seasonal distribution, geographic region, biogeology, ... In general, scorpions prefer to live in tropical and subtropical regions. 1.1.4. . Research situation on the role of scorpiones in human life in the world In nature, scorpions play an essential role with ecosystems in controlling terrestrial invertebrates and they are prey to other invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates. Some Asian countries such as Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea use scorpions in traditional remedies. The most recent, the research direction relate to the venom application of some scorpions in cancer treatment. In addition, another aspect that is also interested in research by scientists as their negative effects on human life. 1.1.5. Research situation on the current status of scorpiones in the world Scorpion is a biological indicator species, which has a balancing role in terrestrial invertebrates, especially in arid ecosystems. Many species of scorpions live in special and restricted habitats, and they are at risk of extinction due to human activities. Many species of scorpions are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction and hunted for souvenirs and pets.. 1.2. The situation of research on scorpiones in Viet Nam 1.2.1. Research situation on species composition of scorpiones in Viet Nam Studies on Indochinese scorpions and Viet Nam only started in the second decade of the 20th century. Some studies conducted by Pham Dinh Sac et al. In 2016 recorded 34 species of scorpions of 11 genera, 6 families.
3 1.2.2. Research situation on morphological, biological and ecological characteristics of scorpiones in Viet Nam There are some authors studying scorpions in Vietnam, some of the first authors who went into research on the morphology and biology of scorpions in Vietnam such as Le Xuan Hue et al (1993) [ 1], Vu Hong Quang (1996) 1.2.3. Research situation on distribution and habitat of scorpiones in Viet Nam Up to now, there has not been a complete study on the distribution of scorpion sets in Vietnam. The data is mainly from the individual studies of foreign scientists such as Fage, C. Dawydoff, Kovarik, W R. Lourneco and a few Vietnam scientists such as Le Xuan Hue, Pham Dinh Sac 1.2.4. Research situation on the role of scorpiones in human life in Viet Nam In Vietnam, scorpion is mentioned earliest in the medical literature such as the Vietnamese pharmacopoeia (1983); Do Tat Loi (1977); Hoang Xuan Vinh (1988) and textbook of Dang Ngoc Thanh, Thai Tran Bai (1982). In traditional medicine, scorpion is used as one of the medicinal herbs to treat epilepsy. According to folklore, the scorpion is soaked in alcohol, this alcohol is used as a remedy for muscle and bone pain. 1.2.5. Research situation on the current status of scorpiones in Viet Nam Currently, there are almost no studies on the current state of scorpion in Vietnam, only a few scattered studies are carried out by a number of scientists. Up to now, there are only 2 research works of Pham Dinh Sac and colleagues related to this issue. 1.2.6. The situation of research on scorpiones in the north central region of Viet Nam Although studies of scorpions in the North Central region have received the attention of scientists, have not yet met the potential of this region, there are only a few studies on scorpions in caves at here. CHAPTER 2: SUBJECTS, TIME, LOCATION AND RESEARCH METHOD 2.1. Research subjects Scorpions belong to Scorpiones in the north central region of Viet Nam (Class: Arachnida, Phylum: Arthropoda, Kingdom: Animalia) 2.2. Time and location - Research conducted from May 2016 to October 2019. 2.2.1. Location The North Central region of Vietnam includes 6 provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue. The geographical coordinates of the North Central region are from 16o10’ to 20o15’ N; 103 o10’ to 106o05’ E [1, 2]. 2.2.2. Natural conditions of the study area The total area of the whole region accounts for about 15.6% of the national area. The forest area of the whole region in 2011 was 3,233 thousand hectares [1]. The North Central region has a rainy regime in the summer, the rainy season usually includes 2 periods: minor rain (from mid-May to June) and main season rain (from August to November, December). The common geographic elevation is below 100m and to the west is the Truong Son range with an average altitude of 1000m [3]. 2.2.3. Cave system in the north central region of Viet Nam 2.3. Materials and research methods 2.3.1. Materials - Materials: Scorpions were collected at study sites during survey and field collection.
4 2.3.2. Research methods 2.3.2.1. Inheritance method 2.3.2.2. Field investigation and sample collection - Seasonal specimen collection: rainny season and dry season - Field investigation and sample collection: Follow Rouhullah Dehghani. 2.3.2.3. Sample handling and identification in the laboratory * Specimens in the field are stored in plastic bottles containing 75% alcohol, with labels clearly stating the sampling location, time and the collecting person. Samples are transported to the laboratory for analysis * Identification: Identification based on specialized materials of the authors: Couzijn (1981) [4], Tikader (1983) [5], Stahnke (1970) [6], M. E Soleglad & V. Fet (2001) [7] and original descriptions of the author: Lourenco (2007, 2010, 2013, 2014) [8-11]. 2.3.2.4. Research on distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region - According to the biotope: natural forests, caves, planted forests - According to the elevation: dividing high belts according to Vu Tu Lap (1976, 1999) [12, 13]. - Research on geographical distribution characteristics: according to Vu Tu Lap (1999). - Research on seasonal distribution characteristics: rainny season and dry season 2.3.2.5. Method of assessing the current state of the scorpiones Assess conservation status of scorpion species based on IUCN standards. IUCN rankings and standards for red lists and red books rewriting version 3.1 of 2012 [14]. 2.3.2.6. Data treatment The data in the study are entered and processed by Microsoft Excell 2010 software. Chapter 3: RESULTS OF RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Species composition of scorpiones in the north central region, Viet Nam 3.1.1. The list of scopions in the north central region, Viet Nam The total number of species recorded is 9 species belonging to 5 genera, 5 families: Table 1. The list of scopions in the north central region, Viet Nam TT Scientific name Note I. Family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 Genus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 1 Euscorpiops dakrong Lourenco & Pham, 2014 2 Euscorpiops sejnai Kovarık, 2000 II. Family Hormuridae Laurie, 1896 Genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 3 Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) New record in the north central region III. Family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837 Genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 4 Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798) IV. Family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998
5 TT Scientific name Note Genus Vietbocap Lourenco & Pham, 2010 5 Vietbocap canhi Lourenco & Pham, 2010 Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham, 6 2012 Vietbocap aurantiacus Lourenço, Pham, Tran & 7 New species for science Tran, 2018 Vietbocap quinquemilia Lourenço, Pham, Tran & 8 New species for science Tran, 2018 V. Family Scorpionidae Latreille, 1802 Genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828 9 Heterometrus laoticus Couzijn, 1981 New record in the north central region Comment: we have synthesized the previously published documents of the authors as Lourenco and Pham Dinh Sac [8-10], Kovarik (2000) [15]. The results of our survey conducted in 2016 have collected and identified a total of 181 scorpion samples belonging to 9 species, 5 genera, 5 families for the North Central region. The study has added 2 new records in the North Central region Liocheles australasiae và Heterometrus laoticus; 2 new species: Vietbocap aurantiacus và Vietbocap quinquemilia.. 3.1.2. Scorpion species composition structure in the north central region, Viet Nam Total number of species collected 9 species belonging to 5 genera, 5 families. Each family discovered only 1 species, the number of species in each genus was only from 1 to 4 species. Family Pseudochactidae has the highest number of species with 4 species; Scorpiopidae has 2 species; Hormuridae; Buthidae and Scorpionidae recorded only 1 species. The genus with the highest number of scorpion species was Vietbocap 4/9 species (44.44% respectively), followed by Euscorpiops 2/9 species. (22.22% respectively), the remaining genus have an equal number of species 1/9 species (11.11% respectively). Compared with the whole country, the number of scorpion families recorded in the North Central region accounts for a very high rate of 83.3% (5/6 families); the number of genus compared with the whole country accounts for 45.5% (5/11 genus); However, the proportion of species compared to the whole country only accounts for 25% (9/36 species) of the total species discovered so far. 3.1.3. Description of species in the north central region, Viet Nam 3.1.3.1. Species Vietbocap aurantiacus Lourenço, Pham, Tran & Tran, 2018 Diagnosis: Anterior margin of carapace not depressed with a weak to moderate concavity. Lateral ocelli absent. Pair of circumocular sutures complete in the posterior region to median ocular tubercle with a broad U-shaped configuration. Median ocelli absent; median tubercle represented by a smooth but not depressed zone. Anterosubmedial carinae absent from zone delimited by circumocular sutures. Type-D trichobothrial pattern with 35 trichobothria per pedipalp: 12 on femur, of which 5 dorsal, 4 internal and 3 external (d1, d4, d5 and i4 extremely reduced); 10 on patella, of which 3 dorsal, 1 internal and 6 external (est extremely reduced); ventral surface without trichobothria; 13 trichobothria on chela, of which 5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger (ib2 extremely reduced); dorsal trichobothria of femur with ‘‘beta-like’configuration. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round Sternite V with a white posterior inflated triangular zone. Telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Metasomal segment V with a moderately marked pair of ventrosubmedian carinae; no ventromedian carina between ventrosubmedian
6 carinae. Fixed and movable fingers strongly curved; dentate margins each with median denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows. internal and external accessory granules at base of each sub- row. Carinae on metasoma and pedipalps better marked than on the other species. Respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval to round. Pro- and retrolateral pedal spurs present on legs I-IV. Tibial spurs absent from all legs Type material: Female holotype, two female paratypes. Vietnam, Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha– Ke Bang National Park, Thien Duong cave (17°31’10.3” N and 106°13’22,9E), mid-section of cave (3000 m from cave entrance), 23/V/2013 (D.-S. Pham). Holotype and one paratype deposited in the ‘‘Muse´um national d’histoire naturelle’’, Paris. One paratype deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi. Etymology. The specific name is a Latin adjective referring to the orange coloration of the new species (aurantiacus in Latin). Description based on holotype and paratypes (measurements given after the description). Colour. General coloration yellow to reddish-yellow, darker than in the other species of the genus; cheliceral teeth, telson tip, pedipalpal and metasomal carinae and rows of granules on pedipalp fingers dark reddish. Morphology. Chelicerae: dorsal edge of fixed finger with four denticles (basal, medial, subdistal, distal); ventral edge with 3–4 very reduced denticles; movable finger with three denticles (medial, subdistal, external distal) on dorsal edge, without basal denticles; ventral edge with 4–5 reduced denticles and a moderate serrula; external distal denticle smaller than internal distal denticle; ventral aspect of fingers and manus with numerous macrosetae. Carapace: anterior margin not depressed with a weakly to moderately marked concavity; lateral ocelli absent; median ocular tubercle represented by a smooth and not depressed zone; median ocelli absent; interocular furrow obsolete. One pair of weakly marked circumocular sutures with a broad U-shaped configuration, also complete behind median ocular tubercle. Anteromedian and posteromedian furrows shallow; posterolateral furrow shallow, weakly curved; posteromarginal furrow narrow, shallow. Carapace almost totally smooth, except for some isolated granules anteriorly. Pedipalp segments apilose. Femur with five strongly marked carinae; intercarinal surfaces smooth. Patella with six strongly marked carinae; ventrointernal carinae with some spinoid granules; intercarinal surfaces smooth. Chela with dorso-external and ventral carinae moderately marked; tegument smooth. Fixed and movable fingers strongly curved; dentate margins, each with median denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows; each sub-row comprising several small granules and internal and external accessory granules. Trichobothria orthobothriotaxic, Type D, configuration, d2 situated on dorsal surface, d3 and d4 in same axis of the femur, parallel and closer to dorsoexternal carina than is d1, angle formed by d1, d3 and d4 opening toward internal surface; totals: femur, 12 (5 dorsal, 4 internal, 3 external); patella, 10 (3 dorsal, 1 internal, 6 external); chela, 13 (5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger). Legs I to IV: tibiae without spurs; basitarsi each with a pair of pro- and retrolateral spurs; telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Pectines each with 3–4 distinct marginal lamellae and 7–8 well-delineated median lamellae in females. Fulcra absent. Pectinal tooth count: 7–7 in the female holotype, 6–7, 6–6 in female paratypes. Genital operculum completely divided longitudinally. Mesosoma: pre-tergites smooth and shiny; post-tergites II–VI smooth, without granules; VII with a few granules and a pair of dorso-submedian and dorsolateral carinae, reaching posterior edge of segment.
7 Sternites entirely smooth, acarinate; V with a white posterior inflated triangular zone; surfaces with scattered macrosetae; distal margins with sparse row of macrosetae; respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval to round. Metasoma with a few short macrosetae. Ten carinae on segments I to III, weakly marked on II–III; eight carinae on segment IV; four on segment V. Dorso-submedian carinae moderately developed on segments I– IV, absent on segment V; spinoid granules absent. Other carinae moderately to weakly developed on segments I–V. Telson long and slightly bulbous; vesicle smooth on all faces; aculeus shorter than vesicle and weakly curved, without a subaculear tubercle ventrally. Form of venom glands unknown, but most certainly similar to that of V. thienduongensis. Measurements (in mm) of female holotype of Vietbocap aurantiacus. Total length 35.8. Carapace: length 4.5; anterior width 2.7; posterior width 4.8. Mesosoma length 8.4. Metasomal segments: I, length 1.9, width 2.2; II, length 2.2, width 1.9; III, length 2.5, width 1.8; IV, length 3.2, width 1.7; V, length 6.3, width 1.6, depth 1.4. Telson length 6.8; vesicle width 2.2, depth 1.9. Pedipalp: femur length 6.0, width 1.3; patella length 5.5, width 1.6; chela length 10.6, width 1.7, depth 1.6; movable finger length 6.3. Ratios: sternum length/width, 2.1/1.8 = 1.67; chela length/movable finger length, 10.6/6.3 = 1.68. 3.1.3.2. Species Vietbocap quinquemilia Lourenço, Pham, Tran & Tran, 2018 Diagnosis: anterior margin of carapace slightly depressed, with a weak concavity. Lateral ocelli absent. Pair of circumocular sutures complete in the posterior region to median ocular tubercle with a broad U-shaped configuration. Median ocelli absent; median tubercle represented by a smooth and only slightly depressed zone. Anterosubmedial carinae absent from zone delimited by circumocular sutures. Type-D trichobothrial pattern with 35 trichobothria per pedipalp: 12 on femur, of which 5 dorsal, 4 internal and 3 external (d1, d4, d5 and i4 extremely reduced); 10 on patella, of which 3 dorsal, 1 internal and 6 external (est extremely reduced); ventral surface without trichobothria; 13 trichobothria on chela, of which 5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger (ib2 extremely reduced); dorsal trichobothria of femur with ‘‘beta-like’’ configuration. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, slightly longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Metasomal segment V with a weakly marked pair of ventrosubmedian carinae; no ventromedian carina between ventrosubmedian carinae. Fixed and movable fingers strongly curved; dentate margins each with median denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows; internal and external accessory granules at base of each sub-row. Respiratory spiracles small, semioval to round. Pro- and retrolateral pedal spurs present on legs I–IV. Tibial spurs absent from all legs. Type material: Male holotype, two female paratypes. Vietnam, Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Thien Duong cave (17°31’10.3” N and 106°13’22,9E), mid-section of cave (5000 m from cave entrance), 6/IV/2015 (D.-S. Pham). Holotype and one paratype deposited in the ‘‘Muse´um national d’histoire naturelle’’, Paris. One paratype deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi. Etymology. The specific name is a Latin noun in apposition referring to the distance from the cave entrance, 5000 m (quinquemilia in Latin) where the new species was found. Description based on male holotype and female paratypes (measurements given after the description). Colour. General coloration very pale yellow almost whitish, paler than all the other known species in the genus; cheliceral teeth, telson tip and rows of granules on pedipalp fingers slightly reddish. Morphology. Chelicerae: dorsal edge of fixed finger with four denticles (basal, medial, subdistal, distal); ventral edge with 3–4 very reduced denticles; movable finger with three denticles (medial, subdistal, external
8 distal) on the dorsal edge, without basal denticles; ventral edge with 4–5 reduced denticles and a moderate serrula; external distal denticle smaller than internal distal denticle; ventral aspect of fingers and manus with numerous macrosetae. Carapace: anterior margin only slightly depressed with a weakly marked concavity; lateral ocelli absent; median ocular tubercle represented by a smooth and only slightly depressed zone; median ocelli absent; interocular furrow obsolete. One pair of weakly marked circumocular sutures with a broad U-shaped configuration, also complete behind median ocular tubercle. Anteromedian and posteromedian furrows shallow; posterolateral furrow shallow, weakly curved; posteromarginal furrow narrow, shallow. Carapace almost entirely smooth, except for some very isolated granules anteriorly. Pedipalp segments apilose. Femur with five carinae, all moderate to weak; intercarinal surfaces smooth. Patella with six discernible carinae; ventrointernal carinae with some spinoid granules; intercarinal surfaces smooth. Chela with dorso-external and ventral carinae weakly marked; tegument smooth. Fixed and movable fingers strongly curved; dentate margins, each with median denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows; each subrow comprising several small granules and internal and external accessory granules. Trichobothria orthobothriotaxic, type D, d2 situated on dorsal surface, d3 and d4 in same axis of the femur, parallel and closer to the dorsoexternal carina than is d1, angle formed by d1, d3 and d4 opening toward the internal surface; totals: femur, 12 (5 dorsal, 4 internal, 3 external); patella, 10 (3 dorsal, 1 internal, 6 external); chela, 13 (5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger). Legs I to IV: tibiae without spurs; basitarsi each with a pair of pro- and retrolateral spurs; telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, slightly longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Pectines each with 3 distinct marginal lamellae and 7–8 well-delineated median lamellae in both sexes. Fulcra absent. Pectinal tooth count: 8–8 in males, 7– 7 in females. Genital operculum completely divided longitudinally; genital plugs observed in the male. Mesosoma: pre-tergites smooth and shiny; post-tergites II–VI smooth; granules totally absent; VII equally without granules and a pair of dorso-submedian and dorsolateral carinae, reaching posterior edge of segment. Sternites almost entirely smooth, acarinate; surfaces with scattered macrosetae; distal margins with sparse row of macrosetae; respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval to round. Metasoma with a few short macrosetae. Ten carinae on segments I to III; eight carinae on segment IV; four on segment V. Dorsosubmedian carinae moderately developed on segments I–IV, absent on segment V; spinoid granules absent. Other carinae moderately to weakly developed on segments I–V. Telson long and slightly bulbous in the male, slender in the female; vesicle smooth on all faces; aculeus shorter than vesicle and weakly curved, without a subaculear tubercle ventrally. Form of venom glands unknown, but most certainly similar to that of V. thienduongensis. Measurements (in mm) of male holotype and female paratype of Vietbocap quinquemilia. Total length 25.4/20.2. Carapace: length 3.2/2.5; anterior width 2.0/1.8; posterior width 3.3/2.7. Mesosoma length 7.4/6.1. Metasomal segments: I, length 1.2/1.0, width 1.6/1.2; II, length 1.4/1.2, width 1.4/1.0; III, length 1.6/1.3, width 1.3/0.9; IV, length 2.1/1.6, width 1.2/0.8; V, length 4.2/3.2, width 1.2/0.8, depth 1.1/0.8. Telson length 4.3/3.3; vesicle width 1.4/1.1, depth 1.2/0.9. Pedipalp: femur length 4.1/2.9, width 1.0/0.8; patella length 4.0/3.1, width 1.1/0.9; chela length 7.5/5.7, width 1.2/1.0, depth 1.1/0.9; movable finger length 4.4/3.4. Reports: Male: Sternum length/width, 1.4/ 1.2 = 1.17. Chela length/movable finger length, 7.5/4.4 = 1.70. Female: Sternum length/width, 1.1/1.0 = 1.10. Chela length/movable finger length, 5.7/ 3.4 = 1.68.
9 3.1.3.3. Species Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham, 2012 Diagnosis: Anterior margin of carapace only slightly depressed, with a weak concavity. Lateral ocelli absent. Pair of circumocular sutures complete in the posterior region to median ocular tubercle with a broad U-shaped configuration. Median ocelli absent; median tubercle represented by a smooth but not depressed zone. Anterosubmedial carinae absent from zone delimited by circumocular sutures. Type D trichobothrial pattern with 35 trichobothria per pedipalp: 12 on femur, of which 5 dorsal, 4 internal and 3 external (d1, d4, d5 and i4 extremely reduced); 10 on patella, of which 3 dorsal, 1 internal and 6 external (est extremely reduced); ventral surface without trichobothria; 13 trichobothria on chela, of which 5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger (ib2 extremely reduced); dorsal trichobothria of femur with ‘beta-like’ configuration. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, slightly longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Metasomal segment V with a weakly marked pair of ventrosubmedian carinae; no ventromedian carina between ventrosubmedian carinae. Fixed and movable fingers strongly curved; dentate margins each with median denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows; internal and external accessory granules at base of each sub-row. Respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval to round. Pro- and retrolateral pedal spurs present on legs I-IV. Tibial spurs absent from all legs. Material: Vietnam, Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha–Ke National Park, Thien Duong cave (17°31’10.3” N and 106°13’22,9E), initial section of the cave (750 m from the cave entrance), 18/V/2016 (T.-D Do, T.-H. Tran & T.-N. Nguyen), 2 females. Material deposited in the ‘Muse´ um national d’histoire naturelle’, Paris Description: General coloration yellow, less pale than on male for metasomal segments and telson; cheliceral teeth, telson tip, and rows of granules on pedipalp fingers dark reddish. Anterior margin of carapace only slightly depressed, with a concavity slightly stronger than that of male; carapace smooth, except for some isolate granules. Lateral ocelli absent. Pair of circumocular sutures complete in the posterior region to median ocular tubercle with a broad Ushaped configuration. Median ocelli absent; median tubercle represented by a smooth but not depressed zone. Anterosubmedial carinae absent from zone delimited by circumocular sutures; furrows obsolete. Chelicerae shorter in the female; dorsal edge of fixed finger with four denticles (basal, medial, subdistal, distal); ventral edge with 3–4 very reduced denticles; movable finger with three denticles (medial, subdistal, external distal) on dorsal edge, without basal denticles; ventral edge with 4–5 reduced denticles and a weak serrula; external distal denticle smaller than internal distal denticle; ventral aspect of fingers and manus with numerous macrosetae. Type-D trichobothrial pattern with 35 trichobothria per pedipalp: 12 on femur, of which 5 dorsal, 4 internal and 3 external (d1, d4, d5 and i4 extremely. reduced); 10 on patella, of which 3 dorsal, 1 internal and 6 external (est extremely reduced); ventral surface without trichobothria; 13 trichobothria on chela, of which 5 on manus, 8 on fixed finger (ib2 extremely reduced); dorsal trichobothria of femur with ‘‘beta-like’’ configuration. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, strongly compressed horizontally, slightly longer than wide, external aspect not flat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Pectines each with 3–4 distinct marginal lamellae and 6–7 well- delineated median lamellae; fulcra absent; pectinal tooth count 7–7 and 7–8. Genital operculum completely divided longitudinally. Telotarsi each with several spinular setae, not clearly arranged in rows. Metasomal segment V with a weakly marked pair of ventrosubmedian carinae; no ventromedian carina between ventrosubmedian carinae; metasomal carinae better marked than on male. Pedipalps shorter than those of male; fixed and movable fingers strongly curved, but less than on male; dentate margins each with median
10 denticle row comprising seven oblique granular sub-rows; internal and external accessory granules at base of each sub-row. Respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval to round. Pro- and retrolateral pedal spurs present on legs I–IV. Tibial spurs absent from all legs. Telson long and less bulbous than on male; vesicle smooth on all faces; aculeus shorter. than vesicle and weakly curved without a subaculear tubercle ventrally. Form of venom glands extremely simples with a total absence of folds. Measurements (in mm) of female Vietbocap thienduongensis: Total length 23.9. Carapace: length 3.0; anterior width 2.0; posterior width 3.2. Mesosoma length 5.5. Metasomal segments: I, length 1.2, width 1.5; II, length 1.4, width 1.2; III, length 1.7, width 1.1; IV, length 2.2, width 1.1; V, length 4.3, width 1.0, depth 1.0. Telson length 4.6; vesicle width 1.4, depth 1.2. Pedipalp: femur length 4.0, width 1.0; patella length 3.8, width 1.2; chela length 7.5, width 1.2, depth 1.2; movable finger length 4.4. Reports: Sternum length/width, 1.2/1.2 = 1.00. Chela length/movable finger length, 7.5/4.4 = 1.70. 3.1.3.4. Species Vietbocap canhi Lourenco & Pham, 2010 Diagnosis: Cheliceral movable fnger with three denticles (medial, subdistal, external distal) on dorsal edge; external distal denticle smaller than internal distal denticle. Anterior margin of carapace depressed with a moderate concavity, posterior margin shallowly recurved. Lateral ocelli absent. Pair of circumocular sutures with a broad U-shaped confguration (diagnostic for family), only vestigial and incomplete in the posterior region to median ocular tubercle. Median ocelli absent; median tubercle represented by a smooth depressed zone. Anterosubmedial carinae absent from zone limited by circumocular sutures. Type D trichobothrial pattern (Soleglad and Fet 2001, 2003a) with 35 trichobothria per pedipalp: 12 on femur, of which fve dorsal, four internal and three external (d1, d4, d5 and i4 extremely reduced; i4 absent, in one specimen); 10 on the patella, of which three dorsal, one internal, six external (est extremely reduced; absent in one specimen); ventral surface without trichobothria; 13 on the chela, of which fve on manus, eight on fxed fnger (est displaced to cutting edge of fxed fnger); pedipalp femur dorsal trichobothria with ‘beta-like’ confguration. Sternum pentagonal, type 1, moderately compressed horizontally, markedly longer than wide, external aspect not ﬂat, with a concave region, posteromedian depression round. Telotarsi each with several spinular setae not clearly arranged in rows. Metasomal segment V with a weakly marked pair of ventrosubmedian carinae; no ventromedian carina between ventrosubmedian carinae. Fixed and movable fngers strongly curved; dentate margins each with median denticle row comprising eight oblique granular subrows; internal and external accessory granules at base of each subrow. Respiratory spiracles small, semi-oval. Pro-and retrolateral pedal spurs present on legs I-IV. Tibial spurs absent from all legs. Materials: female, Vietnam, Quang Binh Province, Phong Nha–Ke National Park, Tien Son cave (106°16'E – 17°32'N); 3/III/2017 (Tran Thi Hang, Pham Dinh Sac), 2 females. Material deposited in the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Description: female Colour: General coloration yellowish to pale yellow; cheliceral teeth, telson tip and rows of granules on pedipalp fngers reddish-yellow to dark reddish Vietbocap canhi and Vietbocap thienduongensis are rather similar in morphology. However, the new species can be distinguished from V. canhi by a number of features: (i) bigger size and distinct morphometric values; (ii) complete and more strongly marked circumocular sutures; (iii) chela fingers proportionally shorter (ratios of chela length/movable finger length 7.1/4.2 = 1.69 for V. canhi and 8.3/4.6 = 1.80 for V. thienduongensis sp. n.) and with 8 subrows of granules vs. 7 sub-rows; (iv) sternum only slightly longer than wide (ratio 1.15 for V. canhi and 1.30 for V. thienduongensis; (v) metasomal segments less carinated and
11 granulated and with a weaker chaetotaxy; (vi) pedipalp carinae better marked; (vii) pectines shorter and more bulkier with 8 teeth. Measurements (in mm) of holotype and female: Total length 22,4/21,9mm; Total length 22.4/21.3. Carapace: length 2.9/2.8; anterior width 2.0/1.9; posterior width 3.2/3,0. Mesosoma length 5.5/6.0. Metasomal segments: I, length 1.3/1.1, width 1.4/1.2; II, length 1.4/1.2, width 1.3/1.1; III, length 1.5/1.3, width 1.2/1,0; IV, length 2.1/1.9, width 1.1/0.9; V, length 3.9/3.3, width 1.1/1,0, depth 0.9/0.9. Telson length 3.9/3.7; vesicle length 2.4/2.2, width 1.3/1.1, depth 0,9/0.8. Pedipalp: femur length 3.8/3.2, width 0.9/0.7; patella length 3.6/3.4, width 1.1/1,0; chela length 7.1/5.8, width 1.2/1.1, depth 1.0/1,0; movable fnger length 4.2/4,1. Reports: Sternum length/width, 1.2/1.2 = 1.00. Chela length/movable finger length, 7.5/4.4 = 1.70. Holotype: Chela length/movable finger length, 7.5/4.4 = 1.70; female: Chela length/movable finger length 1,73. 3.1.3.5. Species Euscorpiops sejnai Kovarık, 2000 Diagnosis: Euscorpiops sejnai exhibits the general characteristics of the genus Euscorpiops (Vachon, 1980; Lourenço, 1998). Total body length is medium in relation to other species of the genus. Total length for the studied adult male is 32.4 mm. The general coloration ranges from yellow-brown to reddish-brown. Body and pedipalps moderately slender. Internal aspect of patella with two small spinoid tubercles of similar size; internal aspect of chela with conspicuous spinoid granules. Trichobothrial pattern with three trichobothria on femur: dorsal, internal and external. Patella with 2 dorsal, 1 internal, 9 ventral and 18 external trichobothria in both sexes. Chelal manus with 4 ventral, 2 dorsal (Dt, Db), 2 internal (ib, it), 1 Est, 5 Et, 1 Esb and 3 trichobothria in the Eb series. Trichobothrium Eb3 is distal in relation to Eb2 and at the same level as Dt. Material: 1 male, Vietnam, Thua Thien Hue province, Bach Ma National Park (16°13’454” N – 107°51’284” E), 398 m, 16/VI/2018 (Tran T. Hang), specimen found under a rock; 1 female, Vietnam, Thua Thien Hue province, Bach Ma National Park (16°13’446” N – 107°51’265” E), 391 m, 16/VI/2018 (Tran T. Hang), specimen collected at small cave entrance (cave without a name). 1 male and 1 female. Male deposited in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. Female deposited in the collections of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Description: Coloration yellow-brown to reddish-brown. Carapace reddish-brown with paler zones on anterior and posterior edges and on furrows. Tergites yellow-brown with paler confluent zones. Metasomal segments reddish-brown with carinae darker; telson yellow; base of aculeus yellow and tip reddish. Chelicerae yellow with conspicuous variegated spots; these are better marked at the base of the teeth. Pedipalps reddish-brown; carinae and granulations on fingers fingers darker than chela manus. Legs brown-yellow. Venter globally yellow to reddish-yellow with some infuscations on sternite VII. Morphology. Carapace weakly granular, granulation better marked on the anterior edge; furrows moderately deep. Median eyes anterior to the middle of carapace; three pairs of lateral eyes, the third pair slightly smaller than the first two. Sternum pentagonal, slightly longer than wide. Tergites moderately granulated; granulation thin; VII with five carinae, moderately marked. Pectines large in male, reduced in female; pectinal tooth count 6-6 in male, 5-5 in female; fulcra absent in both sexes. Sternites almost smooth and punctate; sternite VII with vestigial carinae and little granulation. Metasomal segment I wider than long; segments II to V longer than wide; 10-8-8-8-7 carinae present on segments I-V; dorsal carinae on segments II-IV with a single moderately marked posterior spinoid granule; metasomal tegument weakly granulated; ventral carina on segment V with moderately marked spinoid granules. Telson vesicle with thin granulations on male and without granulations on female. Aculeus strongly curved on male, much less on female. Setation moderate to weak on metasomal segments and telson. Pedipalps: femur with dorsal internal, dorsal external, ventral internal and ventral external carinae strongly marked; tegument moderately granular. Patella with
12 dorsal internal, dorsal external, ventral internal, ventral external and external carinae strongly marked; two moderately marked spinoid granules of similar size present on internal aspect; tegument moderately granular. Chela with dorsal marginal, external secondary, ventral internal and ventral carinae strongly marked; tegument granulated dorsally and ventrally; internal aspect with conspicuous spinoid granules, less marked on female. Chelal fingers with two longitudinal series of granules, almost fused, a few inner and several outer accessory granules. Cheliceral dentition as defined for the Scorpionoidea (Vachon, 1963); 4-5 teeth on ventro-internal face of movable finger. Trichobothriotaxy type C, as shown in figures 4-10 (Vachon, 1974): see diagnosis for additional details. Morphometric values (in mm) of male topotype (values are not proposed for female because not a full adult). Total length (including telson) 32.4. Carapace: length 5.2; anterior width 3.3; posterior width 5.4. Mesosoma length 9.7. Metasomal segment I: length 1.6, width 1.9; II: length 1.9, width 1.7; III: length 2.0, width 1.5; IV: length 2.3, width 1.4; V: length 3.9, width 1.4, depth 1.5. Telson length 5.8. Vesicle: width 1.8, depth 1.7. Pedipalp: femur length 5.2, width 2.0; patella length 5.2, width 2.0; chela length 9.7, width 3.2, depth 2.3; movable finger length 4.4. 3.1.3.6. Species Euscorpiops dakrong Lourenco & Pham, 2014 Diagnosis: The new species exhibits the general characteristics of the genus Euscorpiops. Total body length medium to small relative to other species of the genus. Total length for adult males and female 27.3 and 25.7 mm, respectively. General coloration yellow to reddish–yellow. Body and pedipalps moderately slender. Internal aspect of patella with two small spinoid tubercles of similar size. Trichobothrial pattern with three trichobothria on femur: dorsal, internal and external. Patella with 2 dorsal, 1 internal, 9 ventral and 17 external trichobothria in both sexes. Chelal manus with 4 ventral, 2 dorsal (Dt, Db), 2 internal (ib, it), 1 Est, 5 Et, 1 Esb and 3 trichobothria in the Eb series. Trichobothrium Eb3 is distal in relation to Eb2. Sternum, type 2. Material: Female, Euscorpiops dakrong, colllected in Doi cave - Dakrong nature reserve, Quang Tri province (16°36'32,19"N 106°52'51,08"E) (Tran T. Hang), specimen collected at small cave entrance, deposited in the collections of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Description: Coloration yellow to reddish-yellow. Carapace reddish-yellow with paler zones on anterior edge and on furrows. Tergites reddish-yellow. Metasomal segments reddish-yellow; telson yellow; base of aculeus yellow and tip reddish. Chelicerae yellow with inconspicuous variegated spots, these better marked at the base of the teeth. Pedipalps reddish-brown; fingers darker than chela manus. Legs yellow. Venter globally yellow, without infuscations Morphology. Carapace moderately granular, granulation better marked in female; furrows oderately deep. Median eyes anterior to middle of carapace; three pairs of lateral eyes, the third pair only slightly smaller than the first two. Sternum pentagonal, wider than long. Tergites moderately granulated; VII with five carinae, moderately marked. Pectines very large in male, reduced in female; pectinal tooth count 7–7 in male, 6–5 in female; fulcra absent in both sexes. Sternites almost smooth and punctate; sternite VII with four weakly marked carinae and little granulation. Metasomal segment I wider than long; segments II to V longer than wide; 10–8–8–8–7 carinae present on segments I–V; dorsal carinae on segments II–IV with a single, strong, posterior spinoid granule; metasomal tegument weakly granulated; ventral carina on segment V with moderately marked spinoid granules. Telson vesicle smooth and without granulation. Setation weak on metasomal segments and telson. Pedipalps: femur with dorsal internal, dorsal external, ventral internal and ventral external carinae moderately marked; tegument moderately granular, better marked in the female. Patella with dorsal internal, dorsal external, ventral internal, ventral external and external carinae moderately
13 marked; two moderately marked spinoid granules of similar size present on the internal aspect; tegument moderately granular. Chela with dorsal marginal, external secondary, ventral internal and ventral carinae moderately marked; other carinae moderately to weakly marked; tegument granulated dorsally and ventrally. Chelal fingers with two longitudinal series of granules, almost fused, a few inner and several outer accessory granules. Cheliceral dentition as defined for the family; 4–5 teeth on the ventro-internal face of the movable finger. Trichobothriotaxy type C. Morphometric values (in mm) of the female /male holotype. Total length (including telson) 4,9/25.7. Carapace: length 3,8/3,7; anterior width 2,5/2,4; posterior width 4.0/4.1. Mesosoma length 8.4/8.3. Metasomal segment I: length 1.2/1.2, width 1.5/1.7; II: length 1.6/ 1.5, width 1.5/1.4; III: length 1,6/1.4, width 1.6/1.4; IV: length 2.2/1.9, width 1.2/1.3; V: length 3.4/3.3, width 1.1/1.2, depth 1.2/1.2. Telson length 3.2/3.2. Vesicle: width 1.2/1.2, depth 1.0/1.0. Pedipalp: femur length 3,2/3.3, width 1.31.3; patella length 3,4/3.6, width 1.5/1.5; chela length 6.9/6.8, width 2.6/2.5, depth 2,2/2.1; movable finger length 3.2/3.2. 3.1.3.7. Species Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775) Diagnosis: Overall coloration in a shade of light brown. Dorsally round manus of pedipalps or at least the chela of one sex with length to width ratio higher than 2.2 or total length higher than 50 mm. Median ocular tubercle of carapace shallow, not raised above carapace surface; 2 pairs of lateral eyes; telotarsus with lateral lobes truncated. Telson with subaculear tooth. Type-C trichobothrial pattern, with 48 trichobothria per pedipalp: 3 on femur of which 1 dorsal, 1internal and 1 external; 19 on patella, of which 2 dorsal, 2 ventral, 1 internal and 13 external; 16 trichobothria on chela, of which 4 ventral, 2 dorsal, 10 external. Chela trichobothrium dt present. Sternum pentagonal, type 2. Respiratory spiracles oval to elip. Weak and short Pectines, pectinal tooth count: 6–8. Genital operculum pentagonal, smooth. As a single reproductive species, until now only females have been found. Materials: 1 female, Vietnam, Quang Binh province, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park (17°35'25,76"N 106°17'00,22"E), III/2017 and IX/2018 (Tran Thi Hang, Tran Thi Hang, Pham Dinh Sac), specimen found under a rock; Female deposited in the collections of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Measurements (in mm) of female: Total length 31.1mm; Carapace: length 4.7; anterior width 2.8; Mesosoma length 13,5. Metasomal segments: I, length 1.6, width 1.1; II, length 1.8, width 1.1; III, length 1.8, width 1.0; IV, length 2.2, width 1.0; V, length 2.3, width 1.0. Telson: vesicle length 2.6, width 1.0, depth 0.9. Pedipalp: femur length 4.1, femur width 1.9; patella length 4.5, patella width 2.7; chela length 8.3, width 3.3; figer length 4.1. 3.1.3.8. Species Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798) Diagnosis: Generally reddish-yellow to reddishbrown with intense blackish variegated pigmentation . Total length about 40–65 mm in males and females. Male diﬀers from female in having fngers of pedipalps proximally twisted. Sixth cutting edge on movable and fxed fngers of pedipalps, usually with 3 external granules each (rarely 2 or 4 granules). First and second metasomal segments with 10 carinae, third and fourth segments with eight carinae. Ventral surface of seventh mesosomal segment with two carinae (not always discernible). Second segment of metasoma with ten carinae, third metasomal segment with eight carinae; sixth cutting edge on movable fngers of pedipalps with two to four external granules; legs spotted. Manus of pedipalps bright yellow with sparse, minute black spots, patella predominantly dark, in which the manus of pedipalps have the same color as patella and femur; metasoma of approximately the same length in both sexes. Trichobothria pattern A with 39 trichobothria per pedipalp: 11 on femur of which 5 dorsal, 4 ventral and 2 external; 13 on patella; 8 trichobothria on chela, no trichobothria in dorsal. Sternum pentagonal, type 1.
14 Material: male and female, Vietnam, Quang Tri province, Dakrong nature reserve, Quang Tri province (16°36'32,19"N 106°52'51,08"E), I/2019 (Tran T. Hang), deposited in the collections of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature of the Vietnam, Academy of Science and Technology. Description: Coloration: Generally reddish-yellow to reddishbrown with intense blackish variegated pigmentation. Prosoma: reddish-yellow, globally covered with blackish pigmented zones; eyes surrounded by black pigment. Mesosoma: tergites reddish-yellow with several blackish spots forming approximately three longitudinal stripes. Venter yellowish, sternites VI–VII with few variegated dark spots. Metasoma: segments reddish-yellow to reddish-brown intensely marked with blackish brown variegated spots. Ventral aspect of segments IV and V reddish-brown. Vesicle reddishyellow with marked yellowish spots; aculeus reddishbrown at the base and black reddish-brown at its extremity. Chelicerae yellowish, intensely marked with blackish variegated spots, which cover its entire surface; teeth reddish- brown. Pedipalps: yellowish to reddishyellow; femur and patella intensely marked with variegated blackish spots; chela yellowish with few blackish spots; rows of granules on dentate margins of the fingers reddish. Legs yellowish intensely marked with brownish variegated spots. Mesosoma: Tegument coarse, tergites I–VI with a median carina; weak to obsolete on I, moderate on II–VI. Tergite VII with lateral pairs of carinae moderate to strong; median carinae present in proximal half, moderately developed. Intercarinal spaces with a moderately to strongly marked granulation. Sternum pentagonal. Operculum subtriangular. Pectines moderately long; pectinal tooth count 20–21 in males for females); fulcra absent (Figs. 60–61). Sternites III–VI smooth; spiracles suturiform; VII granulated and with four carinae. Pedipalps: Tegument coarse, Femur pentacarinate; internal carina with big granules, other carinae moderately crenulate. Patella with seven carinae, internal carina with few big granules, other weakly crenulate. Chela with obsolete carinae, with many granules in ventral aspect. Intercarinal spaces weakly granular on femur and patella; almost smooth on chela. Dentate margins on movable and fixed fingers composed of 6 linear rows of granules; three very conspicuous external accessory granules next to the most basal row of granules. Trichobothrial pattern type A; Measurements (in mm) of male and female: total length 42,8 /45,3 mm; Carapace: length 5,2/5,6 mm; anterior width 5,1/5,3 mm. Mesosoma length 10,9/11,5mm. Metasomal length 26,6/28,3mm 3.1.3.9. Scpecies Heterometrus laoticus Couzijn, 1981 Diagnosis: Adults 90–125 mm long. Base color of adults uniformly black, only manus and telson may be reddish brown. Pectinal teeth number 15–19 in both sexes. Sexual dimorphism in proportions of pedipalps not noticeable. Chela lobiform, its length to width ratio 2–2.3 in both sexes. Manus smooth, with or without smooth carinae, sparsely and finely punctate. Patella of pedipalp without pronounced internal tubercle. Carapace and mesosoma, smooth without granules. Telson hirsute, elongate, vesicle longer than aculeus. Type-C trichobothrial pattern, with 48 trichobothria per pedipalp: 3 on femur of which 1 dorsal, 1internal and 1 external; 19 on patella, of which 2 dorsal, 2 ventral, 1 internal and 13 external; 16 trichobothria on chela, of which 4 ventral, 2 dorsal, 10 external. Sternum pentagonal, type 2, pectinal tooth count 30-35. Material: male and female, colllected in Dakrong nature reserve, Quang Tri province (16°36'32,19"N 106°52'51,08"E), I/2019. Scpeciments deposited in the collections of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
15 Description: Coloration: The color is uniformly black to greenish black. Mesosoma and carapace: The mesosoma lacks carinae, is smooth, Measurements (in mm) of male and female: Adults 90–125 mm long, Total length 114/115mm; Carapace: length 18.5/18.7; anterior width 18,6/18.6; posterior width 17.1/17.5. Mesosoma length 14.2/14.8. Metasomal segments: I, length 7,8/7,6mm, width 8/7,9mm; II, length 9/8,8mm, width 7,4/7,2mm; III, length 9,8/9,6mm, width 6,9/6,7mm; IV, length 11/10,9mm, width 6/5,9mm; V, length 15,7/15,4mm, width 5,4/5,3mm. Telson: vesicle length 15.4/15mm, width 5,6/5,4mm, depth 5/4,9mm. Pedipalp: femur length 13,9/13,3mm; patella length 15,4/14,9mm; chela length 31,5/30,6mm, width 14,6/14mm. 3.2. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central 3.2.1. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to biotope A total of 9 scorpion species discovered in the North Central region. 5 species distributed in the cave system, the remaining species were discovered in natural forests and planted forests of the nature reserves. and national parks (Bach Ma, Dakrong, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Pu Mat). 5/5 species were found in limestone caves, and are dry caves, in the core zone of the reserve. 3/4species found outside the forest are found in both planted and natural forests, only 1/4 species outside the forest are found only in the core zone of the forest. Table 2. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to biotope Biotope Natural forest No Species Planted Habitat Forest Cave forest -Entrance zone of Doi cave, 1 Euscorpiops dakrong x Dakrong natural reserve 2 Euscorpiops sejnai x Specimen found under a rock - under a small rock 3 Liocheles australasiae x x - in the decomposing wood trees 4 Lychas mucronatus x x - in the bark 5 Vietbocap canhi x Dark zone of Tien Son cave 6 Vietbocap thienduongensis x 7 Vietbocap aurantiacus x Dark zone of Thien Duong cave 8 Vietbocap quinquemilia x 9 Heterometrus laoticus x x Under the ground, rock 3.2.2. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to elevation 9/9 scorpion species observed and collected during our investigation were found in low belt, below 600 m altitude. Kovarik's (2000) studied on Euscorpiops sejnai and showed that this species is distributed at an altitude of 1,200m above sea level [40, 41]. However, our surveys in two years, 2017 and 2018, no Euscorpiops sejnai was found at this height. In this study we add the positions and distribution altitude of Euscorpiops sejnai species according to actually collected positions.
16 Table 3. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to elevation Elevation (Vu Tu Lap 1976, 1999) No Species Number 600m- 1000 m – 1600 < 600m > 1600m 1000m m 1 Euscorpiops dakrong 2 2 2 Euscorpiops sejnai 5 4 1 (*) 3 Liocheles australasiae 37 37 4 Lychas mucronatus 67 67 5 Vietbocap canhi 8 8 6 Vietbocap thienduongensis 22 22 7 Vietbocap aurantiacus 5 5 8 Vietbocap quinquemilia 19 19 9 Heterometrus laoticus 11 11 Total 182 181 1 Note: (*) speciment were collected by Vladimir Sejna Prague in 1997, public by Kovarik (2000). 3.2.3. Distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region according to the season The study results show that cave scorpions are not affected by seasonal factors. Scorpions were encountered at almost equal rates at all times of the year, with no significant difference between the caves and the sampling positions within each cave (Table 5): Table 4. Scorpion numbers collected according to the season in the North Central region Rainy season dry season Total No Loài Number Rate % Number Rate % 1 Euscorpiops dakrong 1 50,0 1 50,0 2 2 Euscorpiops sejnai 3 75,0 1 25,0 4 3 Liocheles australasiae 27 73,0 10 27,0 37 4 Lychas mucronatus 51 73,1 18 26,9 67 5 Vietbocap canhi 4 50,0 4 50,0 8 6 Vietbocap thienduongensis 12 54,5 10 45,5 22 7 Vietbocap aurantiacus 3 60,0 2 40,0 5 8 Vietbocap quinquemilia 9 47,4 10 52,6 19 9 Heterometrus laoticus 8 72,7 3 27,3 11 Total 122 59 181
17 For forest species, surveys conducted during the rainy season and dry season showed a correlation. The chance to catch scorpions during the rainy season is much higher than the one in the dry season. The results in Table 6 showed that up to 70% of scorpion samples collected outside the forest (Euscorpiop sejnai 75%, Liocheles australasiae 73.1%, Lychas mucronatus 75.3%, Heterometrus laoticus 72.7%) in the rainy season months, it is nearly 3 times higher than the dry season. In the rainy season, the frequency of encountering scorpions is higher than in the dry season. 3.2.4. Geographical distribution characteristics of the scorpiones in the North Central region The number of species detected in all 3 geographical areas (Hoa Binh - Thanh Hoa, Nghe Tinh, Binh Tri Thien) is 1 species (Lychas mucronatus), accounting for 11.1% of the total species in the whole North Central region. The number of species present in two or more geographical areas is 1 species (Liocheles australasiae) and accounts for 11.1%. The remaining 7 species only appear in Binh - Tri - Thien area, accounting for 77.8%. Table 5. The list of scorpions in the North Central region according to geographical area The species was first TT Geographical area Species recorded in the North Central region 1 Hoa Binh –Thanh Hoa area Lychas mucronatus Nghe - Tinh area Liocheles australasiae + 2 Lychas mucronatus 3 Binh – Tri - Thiên area Liocheles australasiae + Vietbocap canhi Vietbocap thienduongensis Vietbocap aurantiacus + Vietbocap quinquemilia + Euscorpiops dakrong Lychas mucronatus Heterometrus laoticus + Euscorpiops sejnai Zoogeographical feature of scorpion species in the North Central region Việt Nam The number of scorpion species detected in the different Zoogeographical regions of the scorpion fauna in North Central Vietnam: Oriental Region: 9/9 species (100%), Australia region: 1/9 species (11,1%), Palearctic Region: 2/9 species (22,2%). Scorpion fauna in the North Central region, Viet Nam shows clearly feature of the scorpion fauna in Oriental Region. Table 6. Zoogeographic composition of scorpion fauna in the North Central region Zoogeographic region ( Le Vu Khoi and vs 2015) No Species Oriental Australia Palearctic Nearctic Ethiopin Neotropical Region region Region Region Region Region 1 Euscorpiops dakrong + - - - - - 2 Euscorpiops sejnai + - - - - -
18 3 Liocheles australasiae + + + - - - 4 Lychas mucronatus + - + - - - 5 Vietbocap canhi + - - - - - Vietbocap 6 + - - - - - thienduongensis 7 Vietbocap aurantiacus + - - - - - 8 Vietbocap quinquemilia + - - - - - 9 Heterometrus laoticus + - - - - - Note: +: positive; -: not detected 3.3. The current status of scorpiones in the North Central region, Viet Nam 3.3.1. The general current status of scorpiones in the North Central region, Viet Nam The research results show that the current scorpion species in this area can be divided into 2 main groups according to the detected current status, including: popular species, widely distributed including Liocheles australasiae, Lychas mucronatus, Heterometrus laoticus; endemic group for the area with a limited distribution. In this study, we only focus on in-depth assessment of the current status of Vietbocap species in Tien Son cave and Thien Duong cave, Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park. Table 7. The general current status of scorpiones in the North Central region No Slecies Distribution Meaning Only detecded in the Euscorpiops Limited distribution, Doi cave, Dakrong natural 1 North Central region and dakrong reserve, Quang Tri province Viet Nam Only detecded in the Limited distribution, Bach Ma national park – Thua 2 Euscorpiops sejnai North Central region and Thien Hue province Viet Nam Popular distribution, Hainan Island (China), India, Bangladesh, Korea, Liocheles Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, đảo Mariana , New record in the North 3 australasiae Indonesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, đảo Central region Solomon, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa và French, Polynesia Popular distribution Cambodia, China (Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan), 4 Lychas mucronatus India, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam Limited distribution, Tien Son cave – Phong Nha – Endemic species in the 5 Vietbocap canhi Kẻ Bàng national park North Central region Vietbocap Limited distribution, Thien Duong cave – Phong Endemic species in the 6 thienduongensis Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park North Central region Vietbocap Limited distribution, Thien Duong cave – Phong Endemic species in the 7 aurantiacus Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park North Central region