– typically 3-10 ha - that might best be described as wet meadows - that are often surrounded with swamp forest and may also contain vernal pools. Lianas and epiphytes As in most seasonal tropical forests the Park has an abundance of epiphytes (such as ferns, orchids and 'ant plants' such as Myrmecodia). Lianas are abundant and include: Ancistrocladus tectorius, box beans: Entada spp., 'monkey ladders': Lasiobema scandens and Rattans: especially Calamus spp. in wet areas. Riparian areas In flat lowland areas and especially along streams, areas of freshwater swamp forest notable tree species often include: Ficus benjamina, Livistona saribus, Crateva, Syzygium and Horsfieldia spp. Naturally occurring patches of Bambusa blumeana (tre gai or tre la ngà) are also abundant in riparian areas and flooding forest. Other plants include Schumannianthus dichotomus ("cool mat") which occurs in muddy areas along streams. Scientific and conservation activities Numerous endemic species, having their type locality at CTNP, have been described by Vietnamese and international scientists: including those at the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre. More than 20 species of organisms have the name "catienensis" or similar, including two palms (Licuala illustrated here), the bracket fungus Tomophagus cattienensis, two reptiles and 4 insects to date. Between the Park headquarters and Ta Lai village there are substantial replanting areas, including a 200 ha area supported by European Community between 1996-98. Fauna Mammals The park hosts many mammal species; the following may be encountered: Primates include the endemic golden-cheeked gibbon Nomascus gabriellae black-shanked douc langurs Pygathrix nigripes Indochinese lutung (silvered langur) Trachypithecus germaini stump-tailed macaque (=bear macaque) Macaca arctoides crab-eating macaque (=long-tailed macaque) Macaca fascicularis northern pig-tailed macaque Macaca leonina pygmy slow loris Nycticebus pygmaeusScandentia ("tree shrews", family Tupaiidae: more related to primates than shrews): Dendrogale murina - Northern smooth-tailed treeshrew Tupaia belangeri - Northern treeshrew Carnivores: sun bear Helarctos malayanus asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus (in the bear sanctuary: but wild status is debated) Large-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale personata pierrei Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula subsp. indochinensis oriental small-clawed otter Aonyx cinerea crab-eating mongoose Herpestes urva binturong civet Arctictis binturong large Indian civet Viverra zibetha Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus small-toothed palm civet Arctogalidia trivirgata leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensisBats (confirmed records): fruit bats Pteropodidae 4 spp. false vampire bats Megadermatidae 2 spp. horseshoe bats Rhinolophidae 5 spp. leaf-nosed bats Hipposideridae 3 spp. evening bats Vespertilionidae 12 spp. Rodents and Lagomorphs - the Park list includes: squirrels Sciuridae 5 spp.