Nghiên cứu thành phần loài, phân bố và hiện trạng của bộ bọ cạp (scorpiones) ở khu vực bắc trung bộ, việt nam tt tiếng anh

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


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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


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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.


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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.


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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)

III. Family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837
Genus Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845
4

Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798)

IV. Family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998

New record in the north central region


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TT

Note

Scientific name

Genus Vietbocap Lourenco & Pham, 2010
5
6

7
8

Vietbocap canhi Lourenco & Pham, 2010
Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham,
2012
Vietbocap aurantiacus Lourenço, Pham, Tran &
Tran, 2018
Vietbocap quinquemilia Lourenço, Pham, Tran &
Tran, 2018

New species for science
New species for science

V. Family Scorpionidae Latreille, 1802
Genus Heterometrus Ehrenberg, 1828
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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


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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 subrow. 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.


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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


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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.


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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 welldelineated 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 reddishbrown. 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
Forest

Cave

Habitat

Planted
forest

-Entrance zone of Doi cave,
Dakrong natural reserve

1

Euscorpiops dakrong

x

2

Euscorpiops sejnai

x

3

Liocheles australasiae

x

x

- under a small rock
- in the decomposing wood trees

4

Lychas mucronatus

x

x

- in the bark

5
6

Vietbocap canhi
Vietbocap thienduongensis

x
x

Dark zone of Tien Son cave

7

Vietbocap aurantiacus

x

Dark zone of Thien Duong cave

8

Vietbocap quinquemilia

x

9

Heterometrus laoticus

x

Specimen found under a rock

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

1

Euscorpiops dakrong

2

2

2

Euscorpiops sejnai

5

4

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

182

181

Total

1000 m – 1600
m

600m1000m

> 1600m

1 (*)

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
No

dry season

Total

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
recorded in the North
TT
Geographical area
Species
Central region
Hoa Binh –Thanh Hoa area
Lychas mucronatus
1
Nghe - Tinh area

Liocheles australasiae

2
3

+

Lychas mucronatus
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
Region

Australia
region

Palearctic
Region

Nearctic
Region

Ethiopin
Region

Neotropical
Region

1

Euscorpiops dakrong

+

-

-

-

-

-

2

Euscorpiops sejnai

+

-

-

-

-

-


18
3

Liocheles australasiae

+

+

+

-

-

-

4

Lychas mucronatus

+

-

+

-

-

-

5

Vietbocap canhi

+

-

-

-

-

-

6

Vietbocap
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

1

Euscorpiops
dakrong

Limited distribution, Doi cave, Dakrong natural
reserve, Quang Tri province

2

Euscorpiops sejnai

Limited distribution, Bach Ma national park – Thua
Thien Hue province
Popular distribution,
Hainan Island (China), India, Bangladesh, Korea,
Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, đảo Mariana ,
Indonesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, đảo
Solomon, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa và
French, Polynesia
Popular distribution
Cambodia, China (Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan),
India, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam

Meaning
Only detecded in the

North Central region and
Viet Nam
Only detecded in the
North Central region and
Viet Nam

3

Liocheles
australasiae

New record in the North
Central region

4

Lychas mucronatus

5

Vietbocap canhi

Limited distribution, Tien Son cave – Phong Nha –
Kẻ Bàng national park

Endemic species in the
North Central region

6

Vietbocap
thienduongensis

Limited distribution, Thien Duong cave – Phong
Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park

Endemic species in the
North Central region

7

Vietbocap
aurantiacus

Limited distribution, Thien Duong cave – Phong
Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park

Endemic species in the
North Central region


19
No

Slecies

Distribution

Meaning

8

Vietbocap
quinquemilia

Limited distribution, Thien Duong cave – Phong
Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park

Endemic species in the
North Central region

9

Heterometrus
laoticus

Popular distribution: Cambodia, Lao, Thailand, Viet
Nam, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal và China

New record in the North
Central region

3.3.2. Current status of Vietbocap canhi tại động Tiên Sơn
Distribution: Tien Son cave – Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park, Quang Binh province
Position: cave wall
Habitat: dry, limestone cave
Hiện trạng: Limited distribution, Tien Son cave – Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park. The current
number of individuals is very small: in 2010, there are 4 individuals recorded; 2019 recorded 5 individuals.
Table 8. Overview of the IUCN Red List criteria, and its applicability in study current status of
Vietbocap canhi. (AOO—Area of Occupancy; EOO—Extent of Occurrence; n—mature individuals)

Criterion

Critically
endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

A. Population
reduction
(over 10 years
or
three
generations)

(≥90% AND causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥80%

(≥70% AND causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥50%

(≥50%
AND
causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥30%

No

B. Geographic
range

(EOO <100 km2 OR
AOO <10 km2) AND
two
of:
(a)
fragmentation and/or
a single location; (b)
continuing decline;
(c)
extreme
fluctuations

(EOO <5000 km2
OR AOO <500
km2) AND two of:
(a) fragmentation

and/or locations ≤5;
(b)
continuing
decline; (c) extreme
fluctuations

(EOO <100 km2
OR AOO <10
km2) AND two
of:
(a)
fragmentation
and/or locations
≤10;
(b)
continuing
decline;
(c)
extreme
fluctuations

Yes

n < 250 AND
(reduction ≥25% over
3 years or one
generation
OR
(reduction
AND

(larger subpopulation
≤ 50 OR ≥90%
individuals in a single
subpopulation
OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

n < 2500 AND
(reduction
≥20%
over 5 years or two
generations
OR
(reduction
AND
(larger
subpopulation ≤250
OR
≥95%
individuals in a
single
subpopulation OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

n < 10,000 AND
(reduction ≥10%
over 10 years or
three generations

OR
(reduction
AND
(larger
subpopulation
≤1000 OR 100%
individuals in a
single
subpopulation OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

No

D. Very small
or restricted
population

n < 50

n < 250

n < 1000 OR
AOO <20 km2
OR locations

Yes

E.
Quantitative

analysis
of
extinction risk

≥50% over 10 years
or three generations

≥20% over 20 years
or five generations

≥10% over 100
years

C.
Small
population
size
and
decline

Applicability

Justification/
decision
Insufficient data

Critically
Endangered

Insufficient data

Critically
Endangered
Insufficient data

No


20
From the applicable criteria, (b) and (d) the authors have classified Vietbocap thienduongensis as
Critically Endangered. Based on the present data, this classification was recently integrated in the IUCN
database.
3.3.3. Current status of Vietbocap in Thien Đuong cave
Distribution: Thien Duong cave – Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng national park, Quang Binh province
Position: cave wall, on the ground
Habitat: dry, limestone cave
Survey results in 2011 have 2 Vietbocap individuals found at a distance of 1,800m from the cave
entrance; In June 2016, only 4 individuals were found at a distance of 700m from the cave entrance. In the
June 2017 survey, a total of 34 individuals were recorded at a distance of 300 to 5,000 meters from the
entrance to the cave entrance.
Current status of Vietbocap thienduongensis:
Table 14. Overview of the IUCN Red List criteria, and its applicability in study current status of
Vietbocap thienduongensis. (AOO—Area of Occupancy; EOO—Extent of Occurrence; n—mature
individuals)
Criterion

Critically
endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Applicability

Justification
/decision

A. Population
reduction (over
10 years or
three
generations)

(≥90%
AND
causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥80%

(≥70% AND causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥50%

(≥50% AND causes
are
reversible,
understood
and
ceased) OR ≥30%

No

Insufficient
data

B. Geographic
range

(EOO <100 km2
OR AOO <10
km2) AND two
of:
(a)
fragmentation
and/or a single
location;
(b)
continuing
decline;
(c)
extreme
fluctuations

(EOO <5000 km2
OR AOO <500 km2)
AND two of: (a)
fragmentation and/or
locations ≤5; (b)
continuing decline;
(c)
extreme
fluctuations

(EOO <100 km2 OR
AOO <10 km2)
AND two of: (a)
fragmentation and/or
locations ≤10; (b)
continuing decline;
(c)
extreme
fluctuations

Yes

Critically
endangered

C.
Small
population size
and decline

n < 250 AND
(reduction ≥25%
over 3 years or
one
generation
OR
(reduction
AND
(larger
subpopulation ≤
50 OR ≥90%
individuals in a
single
subpopulation OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

n < 2500 AND
(reduction
≥20%
over 5 years or two
generations
OR
(reduction
AND
(larger
subpopulation ≤250
OR
≥95%
individuals in a

single subpopulation
OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

n < 10,000 AND
(reduction
≥10%
over 10 years or
three
generations
OR (reduction AND
(larger
subpopulation ≤1000
OR
100%
individuals in a
single subpopulation
OR
extreme
fluctuations)))

Yes

Critically
Endangered

D. Very small
or
restricted

population

n < 50

n < 250

n < 1000 OR AOO
<20
km2
OR
locations

Yes

Endangered

E. Quantitative
analysis
of
extinction risk

≥50% over 10
years or three
generations

≥20% over 20 years
or five generations

≥10%
years

No

Insufficient
data

over

100


21
From the applicable criteria, (b), (c) and (d) the authors have classified Vietbocap thienduongensis as
Critically Endangered. Based on the present data, this classification was recently integrated in the IUCN
database.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. 9 scorpion species of 5 genera, 5 families have been recorded in the North Central region. In
general, the number of scorpion species in the North Central region is not much, the proportion of species
accounts for 25% of the whole country (9/36 species have been discovered so far). The scorpion fauna in the
area is highly endemic (4 endemic species), which are rare and significant species.
2. Discovered, described morphology, identified 9 scorpion species in the study area. In which,
announced two new scorpion species to science, namely Vietbocap quinquemilia and Vietbocap aurantiacus,
and recorded 02 new records for the area
3. The results of analyzing the distribution characteristics of scorpions in the North Central region
show that scorpion species can be divided into 2 main distribution groups: (1) common species group, there
are widely distributed, mainly in forests; (2) endemic species group, with limited distribution, clustering in a
certain area, mainly species distributed in the limestone cave systems. In general, scorpion species in the
North Central region are highly endemic. Most prominent are species of genus Vietbocap, family
Pseudochactidae. The distribution of cave species is not affected by seasonal factors, while the distribution of
species in the cave is influenced by factors related to the seasons. All species are found in belts below 600m

high.
4. Current status of scorpion species in the North Central region can be divided into 2 main groups
according to the current state of discovery, including common species group, widely distributed; group
endemic to the area, with a limited distribution. Species group has a limited distribution, all 6/6 species need
to be conserved. From the IUCN criteria, the authors have classified Vietbocap canhi and Vietbocap
thienduongensis as Critically Endangered. Based on the present data, this classification was recently
integrated in the IUCN database.
Recommendations:
1. Using the results of the research to serve further studies on the species composition diversity of
the scorpiones in the North Central region and Vietnam.
2. Based on the research data, this classification should be integrated in the IUCN database and take
active methods to conserve these species. Continue to carry out more in-depth studies to apply the research
results of the research in preserving and promoting the values of scorpion species.


22

THE NEW CONTRIBUTION OF THE THESIS
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 specific contributions are as follows :
1. The thesis described 2 new species for science, including Vietbocap quinquemilia and Vietbocap
aurantiacus. Up to now, these distribution are only collected in Vietnam and the North Central region.
2. The thesis has added 2 new records for 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.


THE CONTENT OF THE THESIS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE PAPERS
1.

Thi - Hang Tran, Thi - Nga Hoang, Dinh - Sac Pham & Wilson R. Lourenço (2019). “A
short contribution to the knowledge of Euscorpiops sejnai (kovařík, 2000), described from
vietnam (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae)”. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología, nº 35 (31/12/2019):
pp29–32.

2.

Tran Thi Hang, Pham Dinh Minh, Nguyen Thi Yen, Pham Dinh Sac, (2019), “Assessment
of the current status of the cave scorpion Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham, 2012
(Scorpiones: Pseudochatidae) in Thien Duong cave, Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park”.
Tap chi sinh hoc 2019, Volume 41 (2se&2se2), pp 95-99.

3.

Trần Thị Hằng, Trần Thị Hằng và Phạm Đình Sắc (2018), Thành phần và phân bố của bọ
cạp (Arachinida: Scorpions) ở khu vực Bắc Trung Bộ, Việt Nam. Báo cáo khoa học về
nghiên cứu và giảng dạy sinh học ở Việt Nam, Hà Nội, tr 667-672.

4.

Wilson R. Lourenco, Dinh-Sac Pham, Thi-Hang Tran, & Thi-Hang Tran (2018), "The genus
Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010 in Thien Duong Cave, Vietnam; a possible case of
subterranean speciation in scorpions (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae)", CR Biologies, pp 263273.

5.

Dinh-Sac Pham, Thi-Hang Tran & Wilson R. Lourenco (2017), "Diversity and endemicity
in the scorpion fauna of Vietnam. A preliminary synopsis", C R Biol. 340(2), pp. 132-137.