Study of bat diversity (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, Son La Province, north-western Vietnam, based on integrative insights from morphology, genetics and echolocation data

This study presents the results of bat diversity surveys in Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, north-western Vietnam. A total of 114 individuals, representing 19 species belonging to four families, were recorded. The Rhinolophidae family was the most species-rich, contributing eight species to the total diversity, followed by Hipposideridae, with four species. Eight species, including <i>Rhinolophus episcopus</i>, <i>R</i>. <i>siamensis</i>, <i>R</i>. cf. <i>episcopus</i>, <i>R</i>. <i>perniger</i>, <i>Hipposideros griffini</i>, <i>Megaerops niphanae</i>, <i>Tylonycteris tonkinensis</i> and <i>Myotis muricola</i>, were newly recorded for Xuan Nha NR. Species richness was high, but evenness was low, with <i>Hipposideros poutensis</i> and <i>Rhinolophus pearsonii</i> dominating captures. Eleven species were observed, represented by only one individual. The morphological examinations, with support from echolocation calls and preliminary genetic analysis, revealed the presence of morphologically conserved and potentially cryptic taxa. Reproductive data indicated early wet-season breeding for several species. Compared to previous surveys in the region, our study substantially expands the knowledge of chiropteran fauna in Xuan Nha. Given the high proportion of habitat-specialist and montane-associated species and the documented presence of a conservation-priority taxon, <i>Hipposideros griffin</i>, in Xuan Nha NR, continued biodiversity surveys incorporating molecular and acoustic methods are essential to refine species inventories and to provide information for conservation strategies for this biologically important landscape.