The Cave Millipede Fauna of Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region, North Central of Vietnam

17 Jun 2011 Phong Nha – Ke Bang, Vietnam, Asia Invertebrates

Nguyen Duc Anh

This project aims to contribute to conserve biodiversity of Phong Nha-Ke Bang region through providing the better understanding of the cave millipede fauna, and recommending conservation solution.

Sellanucheza hoffmani.

Sellanucheza hoffmani.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang region including Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is located in the territory of Quang Binh province, Centre of Vietnam. The park was created to protect one of the world's two largest karst regions with 300 caves and also protects the ecosystem of limestone forest of the Truong Son Range.

Peplomeris species have been found in northern Vietnam.

Peplomeris species have been found in northern Vietnam.

It has been estimated that the cave systems of Vietnam are homes to diverse the millipede fauna, which promisingly contain undiscovered species. Unfortunately, despite of their ecological importance, the millipede fauna here is still poorly studied with only several described species. Interestingly, all most of them are endemic to the Phong Nha- Ke Bang region.

Currently, wildlife from the Phong Nha – Ke Bang region is increasingly facing threats from human activities, such as logging, hunting and tourism, consequently causing damages of cave systems, loss and degradation of habitats. This bad situation requires that many attempts must be accomplished in biodiversity survey and conservation. Under such circumstances, the project will contribute to conserve the biodiversity in this region through providing the better understanding of the cave millipede fauna, and recommending practical solutions for conservation.

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