The Network is open to all (worldwide) with an interest in the taxonomy and diversity of South-East Asia’s bat fauna. Potential network members include:
- University, institute or NGO staff and students
- Amateur and professional researchers and enthusiasts
Aim
To increase capacity in bat taxonomy in order to promote the conservation of bat biodiversity in SE Asia, including species that are globally threatened.
Taxonomic Research of bats in Southeast Asia
We are currently moving into a new era of active taxonomic research of SE Asia’s bats. Increasingly, more of these studies are being undertaken by local scientists and it is exciting to report that students, supported by the Darwin Initiative (UK), from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam are all currently conducting MSc and PhD studies on various aspects of bat taxonomy. Elsewhere, colleagues in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar are all working on various aspects of taxonomic research.
Meanwhile, SE Asia has always attracted foreign taxonomists who have studied its rich diversity of bats. Today, these scientists from Australia, Canada, Hungary, Russia, UK, USA and elsewhere are actively collaborating with in-country colleagues, sharing their knowledge and expertise and looking to develop yet more interesting and important projects.
It is hoped that the ‘Taxonomic Network’ will act as an informal meeting point for all these people. It will provide a point of contact for those from within the region who are currently working in isolation and a useful resource for those from outside SE Asia who are looking for local research partners to help broaden the scope and impact of their studies.
Much to be discovered
There is still much to be understood and discovered. Since 2004, new bat species have been described from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam. Others are currently being written up, whilst yet others are waiting to be discovered. In addition, in recent years, many species have been added to the faunal lists of all countries within the region.
A series of papers have been published summarizing recent knowledge of the bat fauna within the region. Most include a checklist. However, as the pace of discovery accelerates, some already need to be updated!
