Stefan Schütz's scientific contributions

A biodiversity survey was conducted in spring 2012 in eastern Chu Mom Ray National Park, Kon Tum Province, central Vietnam, to identify and record predaceous arthropod taxa that are known to include reptile and amphibian prey in their diet as well as those of large body size (>= 60 mm). Five drift fence arrays with pitfalls and double-ended funnel traps were installed in lowland ever-green forest and monitored over 40 nights. Additionally, 22 nocturnal searches were conducted along an adjacent forest stream. Recorded large arthropod predators comprise of one Asian forest scorpion species (Heterometrus petersii), at least three different tarantula species in the subfamily Selenocosmiinae, one scolopendromorph centipede species (Scolopendra dehaani), one scutigero-morph centipede (Thereuopoda longicornis), one giant water bug species (Lethocerus cf. indicus), one creeping water bug species in the family Naucoridae, two water scorpion species (Cercotmetus sp. and Laccotrephes sp.), one species of army ant (Aenictus sp.), four species of praying mantises (Hierodula fruhstorferi, Hierodula patellifera, Tenodera aridifolia and Theopropus elegans) and one species of freshwater crab (Balssipotamon fruhstorferi). In two cases, the predation of Aenictus sp. on the caecilian Ichthyophis cf. nguyenorum was observed. Conservation measures for giant water bugs, tarantulas and Asian forest scorpions are discussed. Key words: Arthropods, predators, herpetofauna, biodiversity survey, conservation.

A biodiversity survey was conducted in spring 2012 in the eastern part of Chu Mom Ray National Park, Kon Tum Province, southern Vietnam, to identify and record predaceous arthropod taxa that are known to include reptile and amphibian prey in their diet as well as those of large body size (≥ 60 mm). Five drift fence arrays with pitfalls and double-ended funnel traps were set up in lowland evergreen forest and monitored over 40 nights. Additionally, 22 nocturnal transect walks were conducted along an adjacent forest stream. Recorded large arthropod predators comprise of one Asian forest scorpion species (Scorpiones, Scorpionidae), at least three different tarantula species in the subfamily Selenocosmiinae (Araneae, Theraphosidae), one scolopendromorph centipede species (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae), one scutigeromorph centipede (Scutigeromorpha, Scutigeridae), one giant water bug species (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae), one creeping water bug species in the family Naucoridae (Hemiptera), two water scorpion species (Hemiptera, Nepidae), one species of army ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and four species of praying mantises (Mantodea, Mantidae). In two cases, the predation of army ants on caecilians (Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae) was observed. Among the presented taxa, giant water bugs are of special ecological and conservation concern. They are key predators of aquatic herpetofauna and considered as threatened in parts of East Asia.

A herpetological survey was conducted in spring 2012 in the eastern part of Chu Mom Ray National Park, Kon Tum Province, southern Vietnam, to create a first inventory list of amphibians and reptiles and record threats to the local herpetocommunity. We also evaluated the efficiency of two faunistic inventory methods, drift fences and transect visual encounter surveys, in detecting reptiles and amphibians under the given circumstances. Five drift fence arrays with pitfalls and double-ended funnel traps were set up in lowland evergreen forest at elevations from 777 to 846 m a.s.l. and monitored over 40 nights. Additionally, 22 night excursions were conducted along an adjacent forest stream transect. A total of 62 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded, comprising 24 anurans, one caecilian, 20 lizards, 16 snakes and one freshwater turtle. Because all specimens were released after capture in the field, proper identification and taxonomic revision are required for at least ten recorded amphibian and six reptile species. Four species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) and two species are listed in the Governmental Decree No32/2006/ND-CP (2006). In terms of distribution patterns, old-growth forest habitat harbored the highest number of recorded reptiles and amphibians (41 species), followed by open land (18 species) and secondary forest (14 species). Most species were captured opportunistically (34), followed by the drift fences (29) and transect night surveys (18). Opportunistic encounters provided for most reptiles (22), while most am-phibians were recorded at the drift fence arrays (15). Poaching of wildlife proved to be the major threat to the local herpetofauna, in particular large reptiles. In the study area, reptiles and amphibians are also at risk from habitat loss and degradation. Recommendations for reptile and amphibian conservation are provided. Keywords: Herpetofauna, diversity, ecological indicators, threats, conservation.