Project's information
| Project's title | Study on current diversity at tourism caves in Vietnam and examination for coronavirus |
| Project’s code | VAST04.03/21-22 |
| Research hosting institution | Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources |
| Project leader’s name | Vu Dinh Thong |
| Project duration | 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2023 |
| Project’s budget | 600 million VND |
| Classify | Grade B |
| Goal and objectives of the project | - To determine the bat species inhabiting the caves for tourism developments.
- To provide results from examination of samples collected over the field surveys to confirm the presence or absence of coronavirus.
|
| Main results | - Theoretical results:
• New and updated data on bat diversity in Trang An Historical and Cultural Heritage, Cat Ba National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park.
• New data on chromosome and phylogenetics of Rhinolophus pearsonii species complex.
• The first confirmation of the absence of coronavirus in colopnies of bat species inhabiting the studied caves.
• Comparative results of the studies on diversity and examination of coronavirus from the study areas and other localities in Vietnam.
- Applied results: The project results can be used as references for further research, education, training and other aspects in the future. |
| Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results | • New data on bats in a world’s heritage, Trang An Historical and Cultural Heritage.
• New and updated data on taxonomic status and bat diversity of the study areas.
• Determination of bat species inhabiting the six studied caves.
• First confirmation data regarding the absence of coronavirus in bat species inhabiting the studied caves for tourism developments.
• Comprehensive data on ecology and echolocation of Hipposideros alongensis and ectoparasites. |
| Products of the project | - Scientific papers in referred journals (list):
• Sarah Temmam, Tran Cong Tu, Béatrice Regnault, Massimiliano Bonomi, Delphine Chrétien, Léa Vendramini, Tran Nhu Duong, Tran Vu Phong, Nguyen Thi Yen, Hoang Ngoc Anh, Tran Hai Son, Pham Tuan Anh, Faustine Amara, Thomas Bigot, Sandie Munier, Vu Dinh Thong, Sylvie van der Werf, Vu Sinh Nam, Marc Eloit. 2023. Genotype and Phenotype Characterization of Rhinolophus sp. Sarbecoviruses from Vietnam: Implications for Coronavirus Emergence. Viruses 2023, 15, 1897: 1-21.
• Weiwei Zhou, Neil M. Furey, Pipat Soisook, Vu D. Thong, Burton K. Lim, Stephen J. Rossiter, Xiuguang Mao. 2023. Diversification and introgression in four chromosomal taxa of the Pearson’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus pearsoni) group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 183 (2023) 107784.
• Vu Dinh Thong (accepted for publication in a journal of the VAST02 group: Academia Journal of Biology). Remarks on diversity and echolocation calls of hipposiderid bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Cuc Phuong National Park, Northeastern Vietnam.
• Vu Dinh Thong, Dao Nhan Loi, Hoang Trung Thanh, Pham Van Nha, Cao Thi Thanh Nga, Phaly Sengmanichanh, Nguyen Manh Ha, Vu Duc Toan, Dinh Van Thai and Nguyen Van Viet. 2022. Echolocation calls of Myotis alticraniatus (Chirooptera: Vespertilionidae) in Vietnam. HNUE Journal of Education: Natural Sciences, 67(3): 133-140.
• Vu Dinh Thong. 2022. Bats of Ly Son Archipelago, Central Vietnam. HNUE Journal of Education: Natural Sciences, 67(2): 129-136.
- Other products (if applicable):
• Contribution to successful training of two MSc completed Thesis and obtained MSc degrees. |
| Research area | - The project results can be regarded as scientific references for further scientific studies and relevant aspects. |
| Research region | - Strengthening researches on bats and wildlife deseases. - Strengthening researches on bats and ectoparasites in previously unsurveyed in Vietnam. |
| Images of project |  |
