Kaeng Krachan National Park Research Articles

Review of the genus Statherotis Meyrick, 1909 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) from Thailand, with description of a new species

The genus Statherotis belongs to the tribe Olethreutini and is mostly distributed in the Oriental region. Four Statherotis species have been recorded from Thailand. S. muangmaithongi Pinkaew, sp. nov. is described from World Heritage Site, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand. Illustrations of adult and genitalia are provided. A key to species of the genus Statherotis from Thailand is also provided. This new taxon increases the number of described Statherotis species in Thailand to five.

A new species of the genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861, subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Thailand (Scorpiones, Scorpiopidae).

A new species, Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachansp. nov., belonging to the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 is described based on three adult males and one adult female collected in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. The new species presents most features exhibited by scorpions of the subgenus Euscorpiops and can be characterized notably by a very small size, a sexual dimorphism strongly marked with male pedipalps elongated, a distinct trichobothrial pattern and other morphological features. This new taxon may represent one endemic element for the scorpion fauna of Thailand. Aspects of the ecology and distribution of the new species are discussed and compared with that of other relative Scorpiops species.

Abundance and habitat suitability of Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis, Schneider 1801) in Phetchaburi River, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand

Abstract. Chanpradub K, Pattanawibool A, Saisamorn A, Bhumpakphan N, Chanthana S, Thongsong C, Ouansing Y, Suksawate W, Sukmasuang R. 2023. Abundance and habitat suitability of Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis, Schneider 1801) in Phetchaburi River, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand. Biodiversitas 24: 4755-4765. The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis, Schneider 1801) is one of the critically endangered species with a remnant population reported in Kaeng Krachan National Park. This study aimed to investigate Siamese crocodiles' abundance and habitats along the Phetchaburi River. Thirteen rafting trips from December 2021 to July 2023 were conducted at a total distance of 315 kilometers, recording 68 encounters with an encounter rate of 0.22 per kilometer. It was estimated that the population size of Siamese crocodiles was four individuals. Environmental factors that influenced crocodile distribution, with slope, elevation, forest types, cumulative flow rates upstream, and land use patterns, were identified. These findings underscore the significance of the Phetchaburi River area for freshwater crocodile conservation, as indicated by a highly reliable model with a reliable score of 0.99±0.02. Important recommendations include habitat protection, development of a crocodile threat surveillance system, ongoing population studies, and community involvement, which are essential for sustainable conservation practices, public awareness campaigns, captive breeding and reintroduction programs, and population restoration efforts. This research provides valuable insights into the habitats and environmental factors impacting Siamese crocodiles, highlighting the critical role of preserving Kaeng Krachan National Park as an important habitat for this species.

Ecological risk assessment of Kaeng Krachan National Park emphasis on Land Use/Land Cover (LULC)

Land use/land cover (LULC) changes with time, signify disturbances and conservation patterns of landscape types in an environment. Kaeng Krachan National Park (KKNP) is a UNESCO world heritage site with rich biodiversity and provides habitat for indigenous communities who are relying on farming. The study was conducted by calculating landscape ecological risk indices of classified Landsat images based on five landscape classes (Water, Grassland, Built-up-land, Forest, and Cultivated land). Landscape loss indices were calculated based on classified Landsat images. Assigning landscape loss indices in grid cells calculated the ecological risk indices of the area. Ecological risk indices were lowest (ERI ≤ 0.0005), lower (ERI ≤ 0.001), medium (ERI ≤ 0.005), higher (ERI ≤ 0.01), and highest (ERI ≤ 0.015). Ecological risk indices were higher on the east border of KKNP proximate to the semi-urban settlements. The highest risk area demarcates waterbodies and extensively cultivated land. The LULC areas which show the higher variation of changes from 2013 to 2022 are grasslands and forest cover. The changes in the LULC pattern have increased the risk in cultivated land areas and grasslands due to farming obligations. The provision of land permits and land use limitations are addressed issues to conserve KKNP for conservation.

Species Composition of Aquatic (Nepomorpha) and Semiaquatic (Gerromorpha) Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand

The species composition of aquatic (Nepomorpha) and semiaquatic (Gerromorpha) Heteroptera were examined from protected and unprotected study sites in three streams associated with Kaeng Krachan National Park. At each stream, both quantitative and qualitative sampling methods were used during seven collecting events (November 2018 to June 2020). A total of 11 families, representing 33 genera and 60 species, were collected in this study, with more Nepomorpha families but higher species richness in Gerromorpha. The species richness of both protected and unprotected sampling sites were lowest during the fifth sampling event. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in richness between protected and unprotected sampling sites for any sampling event based on a paired t-test analysis. Based on an nMDS analysis, the patterns of species composition of aquatic and semiaquatic heteropterans were unclear among protected and unprotected sampling sites. The use of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera as bioindicators for habitat quality is still uncertain. Additional physiochemical characters of the water and physical characters of the stream may lead to a clearer picture of the relationship between aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera and stream habitat quality.

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with emphasis on C. interdigitalis and C. ngati

Abstract Convergent morphological specializations for an arboreal lifestyle in most species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group have been a confounding factor for establishing a stable taxonomy among its species. Recent references to C. interdigitalis from throughout Thailand and Laos were made without comparisons to the type material from Tham Yai Nam Nao, Nam Nao National Park, Phetchabun Province, Thailand, but instead, were based on general morphological similarity and distribution. The taxonomy of C. interdigitalis is stabilized here by comparing the paratypes to other specimens from Thailand and Laos and recovering their phylogenetic relationships based on newly acquired genetic data, including those from the type locality. The phylogeny recovered all specimens outside the type locality to be either C. ngati from Vietnam or new species closely related to C. ngati. Cyrtodactylus interdigitalis is shown here to be a range-restricted upland endemic on the Phetchabun massif of northern Thailand. The phylogeny also indicates that C. ngati extends hundreds of kilometers farther south into northern Thailand and central Laos. We hypothesize that the significant morphological divergence in body shape of the types of C. ngati, compared to that of the Lao and Thai populations, may be due to local adaptions for utilizing karst (C. ngati) rather than vegetation (Lao and Thai populations). Additionally, phylogenetic and multivariate analyses identified a potentially new species from Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok Province, in northern Thailand and another from the Khlong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranong Province, in southern Thailand. A series of newly examined specimens from Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand represents a possible ~82 km range extension to the southeast of C. rukhadeva. This research continues to underscore the high diversity of range-restricted upland endemics in Thailand and the importance of examining type material (if possible) in the context of a phylogeny so as to construct proper taxonomies that reveal, rather than obscure, diversity.

Introgression and mating patterns between white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) and pileated gibbons (Hylobates pileatus) in a natural hybrid zone.

Gibbons (Family Hylobatidae) are a suitable model for exploring hybridization in pair-living primates as several species form hybrid zones. In Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) and pileated gibbons (Hylobates pileatus) are distributed parapatrically and hybridize in a narrow zone. Their phenotypic characteristics suggest limited inter-species gene flow, although this has never been assessed. To uncover the history and degree of gene flow between the two species, we studied the genetic structure of gibbons in the hybrid zone by analyzing fecal DNA samples, phenotypic characteristics, vocalizations and individuals' social status. We determined eight autosomal single nucleotide variant (SNV) loci, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosomal haplotypes of 72 gibbons. We compared these markers with reference types of wild pureblood white-handed gibbons (n = 12) in Kaeng Krachan National Park and pureblood pileated gibbons (n = 4) in Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary. Autosomal genotypic analyses confirmed the various levels of mixed ancestry for several adult gibbons with or without atypical phenotypic traits in Khao Yai National Park. In some other adult gibbons, the mixed ancestry was not detected in either autosomal SNVs or their phenotypic traits but the mtDNA. Both male and female adult hybrids formed reproductive units mainly with a phenotypic pureblood partner and many of them produced offspring. Taken together, our results suggest that once hybridization occurs, white-handed-pileated-gibbon hybrids can reproduce with either parental species and that the backcrossing and thus introgression may occur in successive generations, with no drastic changes in phenotypic appearance.

Livelihoods and Dwelling Security: The Challenges of Indigenous Karen People

The Indigenous Karen people living in the Kaeng Krachan National Park (KKNP) in Western Thailand were evicted from their traditional village home by armed Thai forces to an allocated area. These operations have led to the enormous change in the traditional way of life. They cannot fully continue with their traditional ways of life. The misunderstanding of the livelihood system of the Karen is the critical problems. This paper aims to examine the challenges of indigenous Banggloy Karen people under regulation of the national park. This study is framed within a phenomenological perspective and draws on specific empirical experience by employing participant observation, interview and focus group. Empirical evidence shows that one of the main obstacles facing the Karen are the political issues that impact on the traditional way of life. The critical problem is the struggle to maintain their way of life in the current settlements; for example, the policies to reclaim the forest and relocate people are also a problem for those inhabiting the forest, who might be evicted. Law and regulation are the obstructions of traditional practice. Land allocation is also a part of the policy that reduces the shifting cultivation. Thus, the state should provide clear guidance within a human right framework and ecological approach and respect for the traditional knowledge and rights of indigenous communities including sustainable livelihoods. Keywords: Indigenous Karen, Dwelling Security, Conflict, Development, Banggloy, Ethnographic Method

Infection density, diversity, and distribution of Wolbachia bacteria in moths (Order Lepidoptera): First systematic report from Thailand

• First systematic report on Wolbachia infections in moths from Thailand. • Surveys in various habitats from 5 provinces in 3 geographic regions of Thailand. • Wolbachia were detected in 28 of 58 moth species and 625 of 1235 individuals. • Some moth species had not been described previously as infected. • Most specimens were collected from the West region of Thailand. Members of the genus Wolbachia are a group of Rickettsia -like, intracellular, maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts that infect a diverse range of insects and cause reproductive changes in their hosts. Although Wolbachia ’s role in many insects has been extensively studied, only a little of their effects on host’s reproduction and their infection frequencies were reported in Lepidopteran which is one of the most diverse insects. Here, we present the first systematic survey of the Wolbachia infection status in different species of moths from three different geographic regions of Thailand, which was carried out during January to December in 2019 with the screening of 1,235 specimens in total of 58 moth species from 13 families. Specimens were collected from Khao Yai National Park (the Central and the Northeast regions), and Kaeng Krachan National Park (the West region). Infections of Wolbachia were screened by using polymerase chain reaction with 16S rRNA, ftsZ and wsp gene primers which the results indicated high rates of Wolbachia infection in moth populations from Thailand. Wolbachia was found in all different geographically populations in total of 625 individuals in total of 28 moth species from 9 families, including 144 individuals (46 males and 98 females) from the Central, 156 individuals (49 males and 107 females) from the Northeast, and 325 individuals (114 males and 211 females) from the West. The highest infection rate was 90.47% in the West populations and the average infection rate was 61.90%. The detection of Wolbachia in different moth populations from all regions was identical when all primers were used to screen for Wolbachia . The relative densities of Wolbachia within each individual were determined using quantitative real-time PCR and the result showed that there was a low Wolbachia infection density in these moth populations. These findings indicated that Wolbachia are distributed throughout the moth populations from Thailand.

Improper garbage management attracts vertebrates in a Thai national park

ABSTRACT This research presents the issue of wildlife access to garbage at dumpsites and suggests appropriate management in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. I set camera traps at three dumpsites from May 2018 to January 2019 (601 trap nights). I detected 38 wild species and three domesticated species. There were five, 20, and 13 species of reptiles, birds, and mammals, respectively, including the globally vulnerable Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) and long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The most prevalent species were diurnal, followed by nocturnal and then crepuscular. Nine species fed on food waste. Highly abundant species visited the dumpsites more frequently than did less abundant ones. Food waste quantities were correlated with the number of tourists, the species number, total individual animals, and species abundance. The likelihood of animals using dumpsites was dependent on the time of day, the location, the tourist season, and the group of animals. Feeding at dumpsites may change the ecological roles and foraging behaviour of wildlife, which leads to increasing populations and human-wildlife conflict. Proper management is required so that increasing waste from tourism will not negatively affect threatened species.

Cryptocarya kaengkrachanensis, a new species of Lauraceae from Kaeng Krachan National Park, southwest Thailand.

A new species of Lauraceae, Cryptocarya kaengkrachanensis M.Z.Zhang, Yahara & Tagane, from Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, southwestern Thailand, is described and illustrated. This species is morphologically most similar to C. amygdalina in that its leaves are pinnately veined, leathery, and apparently glabrous (but microscopically hairy) abaxially, twigs are yellowish brown hairy, and fruits are 1.36 to 1.85 times longer than width. However, C. kaengkrachanensis is distinguished from C. amygdalina in having the leaves of ovate and elliptic (vs. oblong-lanceolate) with leaf aspect ratio (length:width) from 1.38 to 2.28 (vs. 2.46–3.43), and ovoid fruits (vs. ellipsoid) with stalk distinctly swollen (vs. not or only slightly swollen). In addition, phylogenetic trees constructed based on internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) and genome-wide SNPs using MIG-seq showed that C. kaengkrachanensis is not sister to C. amygdalina and is distinct from all the other Cryptocarya species hitherto recognized in Thailand. Analysis including other species demonstrates that C. floribunda should be a synonym of C. amygdalina, but we recognize C. scortechinii as a distinct species.

Determination of Stimulating Factors of Wild Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Dispersal from the Kaeng Krachan National Park to Surrounding Land Use in Thailand

Wild Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) disturbances are a major conservation concern in Thailand. Elephant dispersal was observed to identify factors that encouraged seasonal migration from the Kaeng Krachan National Park (KKNP), of 466.24 hectares across, into adjacent agricultural lands at the Pa Deng sub-district (PDS) in Phetchchaburi Province, Thailand. Land use patterns in 1975, 1992, 2002, and 2011 from satellite images taken by Landsat-5 TM, and community attitudes on the impacts of land disturbance, were analyzed. All village chiefs were concerned about future management for living with the increased numbers of elephants strolling in their lands expanding from the KKNP border. In 1975, the area was almost completely forested, but chronologically changed to agricultural and community area by 6.43, 8.34, and 7.35 % for 1992, 2002, and 2011, respectively. The area of bare land and natural water courses was found to be reformed to 8.86, 3.46, and 1.38 %, in 1992, 2002, and 2011, respectively. It was concluded that community and agricultural development encroached upon the bare lands and water courses of elephants, and latterly interrupted elephant trails by forest fragmentation. Six elephant trails were found to be aligned east/west across KKNP into surrounding water reservoirs and agricultural lands, at 170 to 380 m above mean sea level (AMSL), at a slope of less than 10 %, and within a radius of 100 - 300 m from communities. Along those trails, data of line transects revealed indirect evidence, 70 dung piles, 27 feeding signs, and 26 footprints. They were directed to major water resources, e.g., the Deng, Paloa, and Kralang reservoirs. It can be concluded that an important factor influencing the elephant dispersal were water sources located at the border of conserved forest; therefore, water development for elephants in KKNP was recommended, using local community-based natural resource management.

Discourse Analysis on the Land Use between the Government and Thai People: Case Study of Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park

The objectives of this study are to 1) study the occurrence of practices in the discourse on the land use in Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park, 2) study the operation of overlapping land management between the government and Thai people, 3) study the obstruction process to treat people as the outsiders. This research is qualitative research using the in-depth interviews on the informants divided into 3 groups; tourist, tourist operators in the areas of Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park, and the relevant government officials. The research results reveal that when the government plays the role in benefiting the land by virtue of the government’s power according to the main discourse aiming to apply the same law to people to obey without being able to argue against the government only in accordance with the concept made for the maximum benefits of people. People are obstructed to participate in. This concept affects people living in the area of Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park. The discourse in the land use has forced people to obey and to become marginalized. The minority has to sacrifice for most people. In terms of the government, the discovered problem is that the current enforced law is out-of-date. It does not keep up with the changing social context. The government uses the mainstream power to enforce the law rather than allow people to engage in problem solving.

Effects of temporary closure of a national park on leopard movement and behaviour in tropical Asia

Across Asia protected areas serve as refuges for carnivores inside human-dominated landscapes. However, the creation of hard edges around reserve boundaries where conflicts with humans arise and disturbance from human activities inside the reserves may affect carnivore behaviour and ecology. Thailand’s largest protected area, Kaeng Krachan National Park (2915km2) receives >100,000 visitors annually while maintaining an intact assemblage of prey species for large carnivores, making it a potentially important site for population recovery of leopards (Panthera pardus), tigers (Panthera tigris) and dholes (Cuon alpinus). We assessed the abundance of leopards and their prey base, and their response to changes in levels of human activity after an unexpected flooding event that resulted in the park being closed to visitors for >6months. Using camera-traps, we identified 6 individual leopards and used spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) methods, incorporating humans and prey as covariates, to test for factors affecting the detection probability of leopards before and after the park closure. Leopard density was unchanged between the two periods, however the movement and activity patterns were clearly different. In the absence of tourist activity, leopards tended to move more frequently, leopard detection rates increased by 70% and activity shifted towards being more diurnal. The consequences of these changes in behaviour may include improved health, reproduction and survival. A management strategy involving seasonal closure of parks may serve to alleviate pressure on leopards and other carnivores. We recommend using information on abundance of large carnivores and their prey species, and human disturbance as the key indicators for long-term monitoring and management of protected areas in Southeast Asia.

Kaeng Krachan Elefantenpark für Asiatische Elefanten (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758) im Zoo Zürich

More space for the elephants, more proximity for visitors. The new Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park marks a further milestone at Zoo Zurich. Thanks to the new management form of „protected contact“ the elephants move around more freely, display their natural behaviour, maintain social contacts and even go swimming, and the public will have the chance to get closer to the animals than ever before.The Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park at Zoo Zurich is named after the largest national park in Thailand. The eclosure is dedicated to support projects to help protect Asiatic elephants in Thailand, which includes attempting to resolve the conflicts that oppose farmers and elephants.Zoo Zurich's commitment to the Kaeng Krachan National Park is reflected in its design and a series of educational exhibits. The park includes an observation hut and protective fencing and illustrates how Thai farmers can protect their plantations around the National Park. A hut in ruins and tracks leading along the footpaths display the destructive consequences a visit from the elephants may have.

Examining the Impact of Brand Equity and Value Proposition of Ecological Destination on Eco-tourists' Loyalty

The importance of brand equity and value proposition has long been acknowledged by both academic scholars and marketing practitioners. Considerable researches in consumer products have supported brand equity and value proposition as the major predictors of loyalty. Despite the widespread recognition that the associations between brand equity, value proposition and loyalty are well documented, little understanding of how they influences loyalty in the eco-tourism context. Thus, this research was aimed to explore the impact of brand equity and value proposition of ecological destination on eco-tourists' loyalty towards Kaeng Krachan National Park. This study employed the questionnaires as the means in collecting data with the prospect samples of 419 Thai tourists. The samples were recruited by purposive sampling and quota sampling by specifying two destinations of Kaeng Krachan National Park including Kaeng Krachan dam and Praneun Trung hill. The eco-tourists' attitudes towards brand equity (brand awareness and brand image of ecological destination) and value proposition (functional, emotional and self-expressive benefits) as well as the impact of these mentioned variables on loyalty were investigated. The empirical findings supported brand image, brand awareness, functional benefits and emotional benefits as the determinants of future revisit intention as hypothesized. Furthermore, brand awareness, functional value and emotional benefits were found to be the prerequisite of word of mouth recommendation. Discussions of the findings are also included.

The Development of Managerial Competency for the Achievement of Sustainable National Park in Thailand

To develop the sustainability, organizations and companies strive to achieve the social and economic progress while the environmental issue also needs to be regarded with an aim to conserve the natural resources. Thus, these three inseparable and interdependent components should be included in any development of sustainability. Furthermore, the successful development of sustainability cannot be achieved regardless of the participation and cooperation from related stakeholders. Thus, the managerial competency of stakeholders is of importance as the major determinant in managing and achieving the sustainability. Consequently, this research was aimed to explore and develop the stakeholders' managerial competency in sustainably managing Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. The qualitative research by conducting in-depth interview and focus group was employed to collect data from stakeholders. In addition, the content analysis was also incorporated in this study to analyze the data. The informants included 20 management executives and staffs, 10 related governmental officers, 5 individuals from communities and 5tourists which were accounted for 40 individuals. The research findings revealed that the development of sustainability required the cooperation of governmental, private and community sectors in implementing the activities of both tourism promotion and forest conservation. The utmost participation and contribution of local communities and agencies as the committee member played an important role in the participative management of this national park. Moreover, the successful sustainability of this national park required the continuous cooperation of stakeholders in balancing the three components of sustainability including social, economic and environmental issues. Implications derived from the findings are discussed.

A new species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand

A new species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand

A new species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand

A new species of Parachute Gecko, Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense sp. nov., is described from montane evergreen forest in Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand. It differs from all known Ptychozoon species by having three dark dorsal chevrons between limbs insertions, homogeneous dorsal scalation without enlarged scales, original tail without long terminal flap, supranasals widely in contact, a continuous series of 14–19 enlarged precloacofemoral scales, bearing 13–17 pores in males, the absence of a predigital notch in the preantebrachial cutaneous expansion and the presence of cutaneous expansions on sides of head. It is the eighth species described in the genus and the only species of Ptychozoon endemic to Thailand.

A new species of the genus Euplatyrhopalus (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussinae) from Thailand

Euplatyrhopalus tadauchii sp. nov. (Paussini, Platyrhopalina) is described based on specimens collected with flight interception traps and light traps in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand.