Scolopendromorph centipedes on the Karst Plateau: A survey from Bat Dai Son Nature Reserve, northern Vietnam

The species diversity of scolopendromorph centipedes in the Bat Dai Son Nature Reserve, located on the southwestern edge of the Dong Van Karst Plateau in northern Vietnam, is documented based on freshly collected specimens. A total of 27 specimens were examined resulting in six species belonging to four genera and three families, namely Cryptops (Cryptops) tahitianus, Otostigmus aculeatus, Otostigmus voprosus, Scolopendra cataracta, Scolopendra dawydoffi, and Scolopocryptops spinicaudus. This study provides information on examined specimens, illustrative photographs, and a discussion of the species’ geographic distributions. An identification key is also presented to the scolopendromorph centipedes in Bat Dai Son Nature Reserve. The findings contribute to the understanding of myriapod diversity in northern Vietnam and highlight the faunal distinctiveness of transitional karst highlands within the Dong Van Plateau system.