Biodiversity Data Journal : Data Paper (Biosciences)
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Data Paper (Biosciences)
Bat diversity in the Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam - Results from VIETBIO field training and annotated species list.
expand article infoSofía I. Hayden Bofill‡,§, Frieder Mayer, Vu Dinh Thong|,
‡ Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
§ Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Lebenswissenschatfliche Fakultät, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam
¶ Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam
Open Access

Abstract

Background

Biodiversity surveys are essential for both academic research and conservation. Integrative approaches that combine morphological, genetic and acoustic aspects for species identification can provide reliable information in taxonomy and evolution. This is especially relevant for those groups with a high degree of cryptic diversity such as bats.

New information

Here, we present the results from a field survey carried out in the Cuc Phuong National Park (CPNP) during 2019 as part of the VIETBIO project and from the examination of specimen collections preserved at the museums of CPNP and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR). In addition, we include an annotated species list, based on this survey and a literature review. We here confirm that CPNP is home to at least 47 bat species belonging to 23 genera and seven families. We recorded ten of these bat species during our field survey. Obtained data in genetics (sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI) supported the morphological identification of the recorded species for which we were able to produce these data. In addition, we include echolocation recordings obtained during our field training with the hope that they may contribute valuable insights to future work concerning the surveyed species. Results from the field survey represent a relevant contribution to biodiversity assessment efforts and, thus, support conservation and management efforts to maintain bat diversity in Vietnam.

Keywords

biodiversity, Chiroptera, genetics, morphology, echolocation

Introduction

Bat diversity in Vietnam

As a tropical country within Southeast Asia with a long extension from north to south, Vietnam harbours an exceptional high diversity of bats including several endemic species (Huynh et al. 1994, Thong et al. 2012, Kruskop 2013, Thong et al. 2021). With over 1400 bat species recognised worldwide, Vietnam is a country native to approximately 130 bat species (Kruskop 2013, Wilson and Mittermeier 2019, Thong et al. 2021, Thong 2021, Simmons and Cirranello 2023). The variety in climatic conditions throughout Vietnam, as well as its altitudinal heterogeneity, partially led to highly diverse ecosystems for bats. Over the last two decades, scientific and conservation efforts have focused on characterising and delineating the bat diversity in Vietnam (Hendrichsen et al. 2001, Borisenko and Kruskop 2003, Borisenko et al. 2009, Can et al. 2008, Kruskop 2013, Thong et al. 2021) and, although these efforts have greatly contributed to our knowledge of Vietnam’s bat biodiversity, the taxonomy, distribution and conservation status of many species are still unclear due to the complex and diverse topography and ecosystems. In addition, assessment of bat diversity is a serious challenge since many bat taxa are morphologically cryptic or might encompass more than one phylogenetic lineage (Borisenko and Kruskop 2003, Kruskop 2013, Thong et al. 2021, Yuzefovich et al. 2022). Bats play crucial ecological roles in the maintenance of environmental stability as pollinators, seed dispersers and controllers of insects (Kunz et al. 2011, Ramírez-Fráncel et al. 2022). Moreover, the guano produced by bats, used as fertiliser, highlights their economic importance (Sakoui et al. 2020). Biodiversity decline, likely driven by factors such as habitat fragmentation and climate change, contributes to the endangerment of bats (Festa et al. 2022, Tuan et al. 2023). Therefore, bat diversity assessments are fundamental to provide information for conservation and management efforts and to understand how habitat fragmentation and climate change affect bat diversity in a country with such an immense species richness.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park (CPNP) is located in north-eastern Vietnam, approximately 120 km southwest from Hanoi. With a total area of 22,200 ha, the Park covers three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa (Cuc Phuong National Park 2011). Prior to 2019, at least 59 bat species inhabiting the Park were included in previous publications and grey literature (Howard and Hill 1999, Khoi et al. 2001, Feiler et al. 2008). However, the taxonomic status of many species included in previous publications has been changed following recent studies incorporating genetics (Yuzefovich et al. 2021, Yuzefovich et al. 2022). On the other hand, many previous records from Cuc Phuong National Park were obtained from provisional identification of specimens collected over general faunal surveys (Howard and Hill 1999, Cuc Phuong National Park 2011). To our knowledge, the latest species composition of bats from Cuc Phuong National Park was published by Khoi et al. (2001). Several subsequent publications just included records of referential materials in a target research or review (Hendrichsen et al. 2001, Borisenko and Kruskop 2003, Thong et al. 2012a, Thong et al. 2012b, Kruskop 2013, Thong et al. 2021, Thong 2023). As mentioned above, the change of taxonomic status of different species, which were recorded from CPNP, indicated the need for a revision of bats from Cuc Phuong to confirm the bat diversity within the National Park following the current systematics and nomenclature procedures.

In this data paper, we provide the results from our 2019 field survey and an annotated list of species present in CPNP, based on three information sources: literature review, identification of bats captured over the survey to CPNP in the context of the VIETBIO project (Duwe et al. 2022) and examination of specimens preserved at the Park’s museum. Acoustic recordings of ten surveyed echolocating bat species are also included in this paper (see Additional Information).

Sampling methods

Description: 

During our survey at the CPNP in May 2019 (see Temporal Coverage below for exact dates), we sampled 32 bat individuals belonging to ten species of five genera, and three families at seven different collecting sites/events with the purpose of confirming the presence of bat species previously recorded in the Park, as well as providing new or supplemental data of as many different bat species as possible. The study sites comprise representative ecosystems of the Park including streams, cave, primary forests on karst and secondary forests located in an elevation range from 35 to 275 m above sea level. From the 32 sampled individuals, 30 were identified by their morphology up to species level and two up to only genus level (see Suppl. material 3).

Sampling description: 

Bat capture

Bats were captured and handled following the guidelines recommended by the American Society of Mammalogists (Kurta and Kunz 1988, Thomas and West 1989, Jones et al. 1996, Sikes et al. 2011, Sikes and the Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of Mammalogists 2016). Bats were captured using mist nets (Ecotone, Poland) and a harp trap (Fig. 1a and b). Each mist net consisted of a fine nylon mesh separated into 3 - 5 shelves, which formed pockets when the bat flew against them, ensuring entanglement of each netted bat. The net sizes (3-5 m height x 8-20 m length) were used according to the space and habitats of the netting sites. Bamboo or inox poles (ca. 3-6 m length) were used to set the net, while nylon ropes were used to stabilie and secure the net on a nearby tree or to the ground with the help of securing stakes. Each harp trap consists of four dismountable metal frames (2.0 m [height] x 1.5 m [width]) separated from each other by 15 cm (Francis 1989). Each frame had vertical lines of thin wires of monofilament fishing lines, fastened 2.5 cm apart. After bats flew against the harp trap, they fell into a bag, which had internal plastic flaps to prevent bats from flying or crawling out. Mist nets were used primarily inside caves (8 m and 12 m in length), as well as across trails (8 m in length) and bodies of water (20 m in length). In contrast, harp traps were utilised along narrow pathways and streams located within densely-vegetated patches of forest where the setup of mist nets posed significant challenges.

Figure 1.  

Methods used for capturing bats and recording echolocation calls during our field survey. In a) mist-netting bats in a cave; b) harp-trap setup in the forest and c) recording of echolocation calls in a cave. Photographs by Vu Dinh Thong and Luong Khac Hien.

Each captured bat individual was kept in a cotton bag and weighed using a spring scale. Forearm length was measured using a Mitutoyo 0-200 mm Digital caliper with 0.01 mm digital steps. Reproductive status and age were assessed following Racey (2009) and Brunet-Rossini and Wilkinson (2009), respectively. Two wing punches, taken from right and left wing, were collected from each representative individual of the captured taxa using a 3 mm or a 5 mm wing puncher and samples were preserved in 90% pure ethanol in labelled 1.5 ml tubes. Photographs of each individual were taken using a digital camera (Cannon 60D). Bats were processed immediately during the night of capture and were released at capture site after taking the selected measurements. Echolocation calls were recorded while bats were released. Captures and processing started around 5:30 pm and lasted until approximately 12 am of the same night or 1 am of the subsequent day. In addition, wing punches and morphological measurements from museum specimens conserved in fluid (formalin) at the Museum of the Cuc Phuong National Park were taken.

Echolocation recording

Sound recordings were carried out in the field at three different situations: (1) bats were flying in their natural habitats at night, (2) flying inside a flight tent (4 m [length] x 4 m [width] x 3 m [height]) and (3) during release at capture site. Echolocation calls were recorded using a PCTape system with a sampling rate of 480 kHz. Batman software was used to obtain high-quality sound sequences since it displays colour sonograms of the detected echolocation signals in real-time. Detected echolocation signals were displayed as sonograms in real time with Selena software using a 512-size Fast Fourier Transformation. The PCTape system, Batman and Selena software are custom-made by the University of Tübingen, Germany. An SM4BAT FS recorder produced by the Wildlife Acoustics (USA) with sampling rate up to 500 kHz was also used to record echolocation calls of bats in natural habitats (Fig. 1c). While no processing of echolocation calls is presented in this data article, echolocation recordings are included in the dataset to facilitate accessibility for future, more extensive studies focusing on bat acoustics and diversity within CPNP (for example, see Thong (2023)).

Molecular data processing

In order to genetically corroborate the species taxonomy and support the morphological identifications in the field, we generated gene sequences from the collected samples at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science (MfN). DNA was isolated from wing punches preserved in ethanol with a salt/chloroform procedure (Dietz et al. 2016) or with the Qiagen DNA Isolation DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit (Qiagen©). Samples were lysed in a thermomixer for one hour at 56°C with a lysis buffer and proteinase K and left overnight at 37°C. DNA isolation was continued on the following day. DNA quality checks were carried out in an electrophoresis chamber after each isolation on a 1% agarose gel at 120V. After successful isolation, the mitochondrial gene COI (657 bp) was amplified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the primers VF1d (5'-TTCTCAACCAACCACAARGAYATYGG-3') and VR1d (5'-TAGACTTCTGGGTGGCCRAARAAYCA-3') (Ivanova et al. 2007, Lim et al. 2016). PCRs were conducted in 25 μl reaction volumes containing 16.9 μl of water, 2 μl DNA, 1 μl of each primer (10 μM), 2.5 μl Buffer (10x), 0.5 μl dNTPs (10 mM), 1 μl MgCl2 (25 μM) and 0.1 μl Taq DNA Polymerase (5000 U/ml)). PCRs were performed in a thermocycler. The PCR-programme started with an initial denaturation at 94°C for 3 minutes. After this initial step, a cycle composed of the following steps initiated: 1) a short denaturation at 94°C for 30 seconds; 2) annealing of the primers to the DNA at 45°C for 40 seconds; 3) an extension step at 72°C for 1 minute and 30 seconds. This cycle was repeated 40 times. The final extension step was carried out at 72°C for 10 minutes. PCR products were stored at 4°C. Thirty DNA sequences were generated by Macrogen (Macrogen Europe, Amsterdam, the Netherlands).

Editing and alignment of sequences was done with Geneious Prime (v.2019.2.3) (http://www.geneious.com). We visually inspected and edited the gene sequences, for which ends were trimmed and low quality sections corrected. After edition, sequences were blasted and compared with the GenBank (Benson et al. 2012) and Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD Systems) (http://www.barcodinglife.org, Ratnasingham and Hebert 2007) databases. We visualised the generated gene sequences to published references by first aligning the sequences with Muscle 5.1 (Edgar 2004) and then reconstructing a Neighbour-joining tree, based on the Tamura-Nei genetic distance model with 100 replicates. Sequences are published in GenBank under the accession numbers OR950725 - OR950751.

Geographic coverage

Description: 

Vietnam: Cuc Phuong National Park.

Coordinates: 

20.2441 and 20.3939 Latitude; 105.7299 and 105.5200 Longitude.

Taxonomic coverage

Description: 

Thirty-two bat individuals belonging to ten species, five genera and three families were sampled in seven field sites (Suppl. material 3), of which, 30 individuals were identified to species level in the field, based on their morphological characteristics and measurements. Two small horseshoe bat individuals were identified as "Rhinolophus cf. pusillus” in the field because of unclear diagnoses in morphology of every member belonging to this species group. Succesfully generated COI sequences for one of those two small horseshoe bats enabled the confirmation of the surveyed individual as Rhinolophus pusillus. We generated 28 COI sequences and compared those with reference sequences from previous studies. The produced COI sequences are published in GenBank and include amongst them a sequence for Hipposideros alongensis sungi, a globally endangered subspecies, endemic to Vietnam.

Amongst the surveyed species, Hipposideros poutensis was the most commonly captured species (ten individuals surveyed), followed by Hipposideros gentilis (seven individuals captured). Hipposideros alongensis sungi and Aselliscus stoliczkanus were captured only two and four times, respectively. The remaining species were rarely captured and recorded over the surveys: Rhinolophus affinis, Rhinolophus pusillus, Rhinolophus thomasi, Rhinolophus siamensis, Murina cf. cyclotis and Ia io, with sightings ranging from one to two individuals (see Suppl. material 1).

Taxonomic comments

Hipposideridae

Four species belonging to this family were captured: Aselliscus stoliczkanus, Hipposideros alongensis sungi, Hipposideros gentilis and Hipposideros poutensis (Fig. 2). Morphological characteristics of the captured individuals exhibited well the diagnoses of this taxon, allowing us to clearly distinguish each taxon from the other. For example, the three sampled Hipposideros species have distinct, non-overlapping body sizes and forearm lengths, with H. gentilis (38 - 43 mm forearm length) being the smallest amongst the three, H. poutensis the intermediate form (50 - 67 mm forearm length) and H. alongensis sungi being the largest species (68 - 76 mm forearm length) (Wilson and Mittermeier 2019,Yuzefovich et al. 2022) . The species A. stoliczkanus, although similar in forearm length to H. gentilis (39 - 45 mm), is distinguished by the presence of a tridentate noseleaf, facilitating its differentiation from the rest of the surveyed hipposiderid bats. These species inhabit similar habitats and were captured at caves and other capture sites under forest canopy. The taxonomic status of the four taxa (A. stoliczkanus, H. poutensis, H. a. sungi and H. gentilis) was genetically confirmed, based on publicly available sequences in GenBank and BOLD. The available COI sequences in the databases for H. alongesis sungi, H. poutensis and H. gentilis still follow earlier taxonomic opinion (identify as Hipposideros turpis alogensis, Hipposideros larvatus and Hipposideros pomona, respectively), but high sequence similarity allowed the confirmation of the identifications. The four species have been recorded in the Park over the past decades, but H. poutensis and H. gentilis were identified as H. larvatus and H. pomona, respectively (Thong 2023).

Figure 2.  

Photographs of three of the four surveyed hipposiderid species: a) Hipposideros alongensis sungi; b) Hipposideros poutensis and c) Hipposideros gentilis. Photographs by Vu Dinh Thong.

Rhinolophidae

We collected four species from this family: Rhinolophus affinis, Rhinolophus pusillus, Rhinolophus thomasi and Rhinolophus siamensis (Fig. 3). These four species were captured under forest canopy. The taxonomic status of one of the two small horshoe bats was confirmed as R. pusillus with reference to both morphological and genetic data (99.6% Pairwise Identity). We were unable to generate a COI sequence for the second individual, but their morphological traits were highly similar. Moreover, the morphological characteristics of a firstly unidentified horseshoe bat individual are almost identical to those of R. siamensis; however, its mitochondrial COI barcode (GenBank Accession number OR950749 , see Suppl. material 3) obtained equal support for the identification of the sequence as R. huananus, R. siamensis (99.8% Pairwise Identity in NCBI) and R. macrotis (99.7% Pairwise Identity). Following recent phylogenetic studies, the taxonomy of the macrotis species group has been subject to relevant changes (Tu et al. 2017, Zhang et al. 2018, Liu et al. 2019, Wilson and Mittermeier 2019). Currently, the macrotis species group comprises seven species (R. macrotis, R. siamensis, R. osgoodi, R. episcopus, R. marshalli, R. schnitzleri and R. rex), with distinguishable biogeographic, genetic and morphological characteristics (Liu et al. 2019, Wilson and Mittermeier 2019). In light of these findings and taking into consideration that R. huananus represents a junior synonym of R. siamensis, the Rhinolophus individual was confirmed genetically as R. siamensis. Moreover, the R. affinis individual could primarily be identified by its morphology, as we were not able to successfully generate a complete COI sequence appropiate for submission (sequence 343 bp long, blast 99% Pairwise Identity match to R. affinis reference sequences). Additional sampling efforts for both morphometric and genetic data of the species from CPNP are required for taxonomic confirmation in the coming time.

Figure 3.  

Photographs of three of the four sampled horseshoe bat species. In a) Rhinolophus affinis; b) Rhinolophus siamensis and c) Rhinolophus pusillus. Photographs by Vu Dinh Thong.

Vespertilionidae

Two individuals of this family were captured over our survey in 2019: one is identified as Murina cf. cyclotis and the second is identified as Ia io (Fig. 4). The Murina cf. cyclotis individual was found in a dense patch of forest. To date, Murina cyclotis is the only species of Murina recorded from CPNP and, although no genetic sequence was successfully produced for this individual, morphological characteristics are almost identical to descriptions of Murina cyclotis in previous publications. For this reason, the captured individual is provisionally identified as Murina cf. cyclotis. The individual identified as Ia io, one of the largest Asian vesper bat species and classified as near threatened, was found in a deep and large cave. This is the only species in the genus Ia and has been previously reported to occur in CPNP.

Figure 4.  

Photographs of two sampled vesper bat species: a) Ia io and b) Murina cf. cyclotis. Photographs by Vu Dinh Thong.

Discussion

During our field survey at CPNP in 2019, ten species were captured and recorded at seven netting/trapping sites. Most of the sampled species have widespread distributions, some extending throughout Asia, whereas only the subspecies H. alongensis sungi is endemic to north-eastern Vietnam. Assessing the occurrence of species in protected areas such as CPNP can provide valuable insights into the relevance of national parks and their role in maintaining biodiversity. The ten identified species have been previously reported to occur in the Park and were identified primarily on their morphology (Huynh et al. 1994, Thomas et al. 1997, Hendrichsen et al. 2001, Khoi et al. 2001, Thong et al. 2012a, Kruskop 2013, Thong 2013, Thong 2023). Nonetheless, this is one of the few documents containing data in morphology and genetics. Morphological identification of nine out of the ten species was validated through sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene by comparing the barcodes with publicly available gene sequences (Figs 5, 6, 7). We hope these data can contribute to ongoing and future efforts for understanding lineage diversity in Southeast-Asian bat species.

Figure 5.  

Unrooted Neighbour-joining tree of the Hipposideridae species surveyed during the field training (in colour) and the reference sequences with the highest match found in the databases.

Figure 6.  

Unrooted Neighbour-joining tree constructed using the generated sequences of the sampled horse shoe bats (in colour) and the references with highest match found in the databases. Partial sequence of the Rhinolophus affinis individual was not sufficient for GenBank submission (343 bp long), but allowed its placement amongst other publicly available R. affinis sequences.

Figure 7.  

Unrooted Neighbour-joining tree using the generated Ia io sequence (in colour) and publicly available sequences for the species.

Furthermore, we acknowledge the inherent limitations associated with the methods used for netting/trapping in drawing conclusions regarding species occurrence and abundance. For example, nets and traps enable sampling only small areas in comparison to the broader ranges occupied by free-flying bats and these devices can be detected and circumvented by many bat species (O'Farrell and Gannon 1999, Flaquer et al. 2007). Moreover, bat activity can greatly fluctuacte from one night to another. Increasing the number of sampling sites, capture events (nights) and the diversity of surveyed habitats can contribute to improving the accuracy of bat diversity assessments. In addition, adopting an integrative approach that incorporates sequencing genetic material, such as traditional barcoding or environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches, alongside the recording of echolocation calls, can yield valuable insights into bat diversity and ecology.

Apart from the survey results, we also reviewed available literature containing records or contents relevant to bats of CPNP following the current systematics for confirmation of the Park’s bat diversity (refer to Suppl. material 2). Here, we also include the annotation of the individuals found at the CPNP Museum collection. We found that CPNP is home to at least 47 bat species belonging to 23 genera and seven families. However, recent studies in phylogenetics and taxonomic revisions have resulted in relevant taxonomic modifications within various species groups. Consequently, we acknowledge that there may be uncertainties concerning the completeness and up-to-date nature of some of the material utilised to annotate the bat diversity of the Park. For instance, the CPNP website indicates the presence of Miniopterus australis; however, current published literature does not support the presence of this species in Vietnam (Kruskop 2013, Thong 2021). We emphasise the need for confirmation of occurrence for many of these species in CPNP.

Although the number of species recorded during our field survey is only a small part of the known species occurring in the Park (Cuc Phuong National Park 2011), we here highlight the relevance in assuming an integrative approach to bat taxonomy and evolution in Southeast Asia. We hope that the data gathered during our survey will contribute valuable taxonomic and occurrence information to future bat biodiversity assessments in Vietnam and the Southeast-Asian Region.

Taxa included:
Rank Scientific Name Common Name
family Hipposideridae Old World Leaf-nosed bats
species Aselliscus stoliczkanus Stoliczka's Trident bat
species Hipposideros gentilis Andersen's Roundleaf bat
species Hipposideros poutensis Allen's Roundleaf bat
species Hipposideros alongensis sungi Sung's Leaf-nosed bat
family Rhinolophidae Horseshoe bats
species Rhinolophus pusillus Least Horseshoe bat
species Rhinolophus siamensis Thai Horseshoe bat
species Rhinolophus affinis Intermediate Horseshoe bat
species Rhinolophus thomasi Thomas's Horseshoe bat
family Vespertilionidae Vesper bats
species Murina cf. cyclotis Round-eared Tube-nosed bat
species Ia Io Great evening bat

Temporal coverage

Data range: 
2019-4-29 - 2019-5-10.

Usage licence

Usage licence: 
Creative Commons Public Domain Waiver (CC-Zero)

Data resources

Data package title: 
Collection Datasheet
Number of data sets: 
1
Data set name: 
Collection Datasheet
Description: 

File including sampling data, echolocation metadata and genetic sequence information. Echolocation recordings can be found in the zipped folder "CucPhuongAprMay2019.tar.gz" and genetic sequences in NCBI under the accession numbers: OR950725 - OR950751.

Column label Column description
Individual field code Individual record-code-ID from the collector.
Record_type The type of record.
Collection object type The type of collection object.
Sex Sex of specimen.
Life stage Life stage of specimen.
Specimen_preservation Preservation of the specimens.
Specimen_preparation Preparation of the specimens.
Specimen_parts Type of tissue collected.
Specimen_comments Comments of specimen.
Deposit_specimen_institution The actual or presumed institutional depository in case of a specimen-based record.
Deposit_institution_collection Specimen ID.
Recorder/Collector The person who collected/observed this specimen. Order of names: surname, first name. In case of several collectors: separated by underscore (NOT semicolon).
Event_date_start (collection date start) Date when event started (DD-MM-YYYY).
Event_date_end (collection date end) Date when event ended (DD-MM-YYYY).
Event_year_start Year when event started (YYYY).
Event_month_start Month when event started.
Event_year_end Year when event ended (YYYY).
Event_month_end Month when event ended.
Recording_method Method used for collecting data.
Event_record_comments (Collection notes) Collection notes.
Kingdom Name of taxon.
Phylum Name of taxon.
Class Name of taxon.
Order Name of taxon.
Family Name of taxon.
Genus Name of taxon.
Qualifier A term to qualify the identification.
Species (Specific Epithet) Name of taxon; In case of an unresolved species pair or group, enter the species names in alphabetic order, separated with a slash.
Determination_according_to/ Identifier The person who identified this specimen. Order of names: surname, first name. In case of several collectors: separated by underscore (NOT semicolon).
Determination_date/ Identification Date Date of identification (DD-MM-YYYY).
Country The English name of the country of the locality (Standardised spelling for names).
1stLevel_Province_State The English name of the province of the locality (Standardised spelling for names).
4thLevel_Community_Village The English name of the community/village of the locality (Standardised spelling for names).
Locality_verbatim Sampling location.
Locality_description The full describtion of the locality, indicating important nearby topographic landmarks.
Latitude_decimal Display in degrees(°) and decimal degrees (hddd.ddddd°).
Longitude_decimal Display in degrees(°) and decimal degrees (hddd.ddddd°).
Georeference_uncertainty_metres Uncertainty in metres.
Elevation_minimum_metres Elevations in metres (m) [m a.s.l.]; If there is no elevation span (minimim and maximum), then enter the elevation here.
Media_type Type of Media file.
Amount Amount of files.
Media_file_name Name of file.
Media_file_2 Type of media 2.
Amount Amount of type of media 2.
Media_file_name_2 Name of file 2.
Media_created_by Order of names: surname, first name. In case of several creators: separated by underscore (NOT semicolon).
Seq_marker Type of sequence marker.
Seq_name Name of sequence file.
Seq_processed_by Name of the person who processed the genetic sample.
Seq_generated_by Institution at which sequence was generated.
Seq_length Length of sequence after trimming.
Identity_database Identity percentage in NCBI.
Species_database Name of species from NCBI database with the highest identity score.
Forearm_length Bat forearm length in mm.
Tibia Length of tibia in mm.
Foot_height Foot height in mm.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Directorial Board, the Scientific Department and the guides (Nguyen Huy Quang, Luong Khac Hien, Mai Van Xinh) of Cuc Phuong National Park. We would also like to thank the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of Vietnam. We are thankful to Gábor Csorba, Tuan Hai Bui and three anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments during submission. This research was financed through the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under grant number 01DP17052 in the context of the project “Innovative approaches to biodiversity discovery and characterization” (VIETBIO).

References

Supplementary materials

Suppl. material 1: Summary Checklist 
Authors:  Hayden Bofill, S. I., Mayer, F., and Thong, V. D
Data type:  Occurrence
Suppl. material 2: Annotated list of bat species from Cuc Phuong National Park 
Authors:  Hayden Bofill, S.I., Mayer, F., and Thong, V. D.
Data type:  Annotated species list from Cuc Phuong National Park
Suppl. material 3: Collection Datasheet 
Authors:  Hayden Bofill, S. I., Mayer, F., and Thong, V. D.
Data type:  Collection and sampling details, geographic locations, genetic and acoustic metadata
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