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Ramli FF, Munian K, Mahyudin NAA, Othman N, Haris H, Abdullah-Fauzi NAF, Sariyati NH, Ilham-Norhakim ML, Abdul-Latiff MAB. First documentation on herpetofauna diversity in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest, Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for conservation in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e108476. [PMID: 38235165 PMCID: PMC10793111 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e108476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rainforests that harbour an exceptional diversity of amphibians and reptiles. However, compared to other animal groups, amphibians and reptiles have received limited attention in research, despite their ecological significance. With amphibians and reptile species having been declining rapidly due to anthropogenic activities, there is a pressing need to conserve these species and their habitats. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are designated regions that are beneficial due to their critical role in providing essential ecosystem services and serving as repositories of biodiversity. Nonetheless, the classification of ESAs in Malaysia lacks biological elements and only focuses on physical attributes. To enhance the current ESA classification framework by integrating biological components, there is an urgent need to obtain information on diversity and habitat in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold: to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest and to conduct a comparative analysis between the herpetofauna assemblages in Gunung Belumut with other forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The survey was carried out between March and June 2022, with additional sampling conducted in February 2023. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and pitfall trap methods were employed to survey the herpetofauna species, focusing on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the study area. A total of 210 individuals representing 38 species of herpetofauna were recorded, comprising 18 amphibian and 20 reptile species. Amongst the observed species, Limnonectesblythii was the most frequently encountered amphibian, with 59 individuals observed, while the dominant reptile species was Cyrtodactylusconsobrinus, represented by eight individuals. This pioneering study serves as a vital baseline documentation of the amphibian and reptile assemblages in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest. It provides valuable information for identifying extant herpetofauna species, including those of potential conservation concern or rarity. These findings contribute to ongoing conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of herpetofauna within the region. By understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut, effective conservation strategies can be developed to protect these species and their habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Farhana Ramli
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
| | - Kaviarasu Munian
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
- Zoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109, Kepong, Selangor, MalaysiaZoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109Kepong, SelangorMalaysia
| | - Nur Aina Amira Mahyudin
- Zoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109, Kepong, Selangor, MalaysiaZoology Branch, Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109Kepong, SelangorMalaysia
| | - Nursyuhada Othman
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
| | - Hidayah Haris
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
| | - Nurfatiha Akmal Fawwazah Abdullah-Fauzi
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
| | - Nur Hartini Sariyati
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
| | - Mohd Lokman Ilham-Norhakim
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
- Kim Ichthyologist Centre, Kg Parit Samsu, Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, 84150, Parit Jawa, Muar, Johor, MalaysiaKim Ichthyologist Centre, Kg Parit Samsu, Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, 84150, Parit JawaMuar, JohorMalaysia
- Akim Fishes Enterprise, 81P Pesta 2, Kg Kenangan Tun Dr Ismail, 84000, Muar, Johor, MalaysiaAkim Fishes Enterprise, 81P Pesta 2, Kg Kenangan Tun Dr Ismail, 84000Muar, JohorMalaysia
| | - Muhammad Abu Bakar Abdul-Latiff
- Environmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600, Pagoh, Johor, MalaysiaEnvironmental Management and Conservation Research Unit (eNCORe), Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Pagoh Campus), 84600Pagoh, JohorMalaysia
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Likhitrakarn N, Golovatch SI, Sittichaya W. Review of the millipede genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), with descriptions of two new species from Thailand and a key to its species. Zookeys 2022; 1118:1-19. [PMID: 36761808 PMCID: PMC9848627 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.89593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The millipede genus Malayorthomorpha Mršić, 1996, so far monospecific and previously known only from Park Belum, Perak State, northern Malaysia, is recorded from a mountain in Betong District, Yala Province, southern Thailand for the first time, being represented there by two new species: M.halabala sp. nov. and M.hulutbeeda sp. nov. Both new species are found to occur syntopically and can be assumed as narrowly endemic to the Titiwangsa Mountain Range which begins in southern Thailand, crosses the Malaysian border, and extends into east and west coast regions of the Malay Peninsula. In addition, the generic diagnosis is slightly updated, and a key to all three species is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natdanai Likhitrakarn
- Program of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Production, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand
| | - Sergei I. Golovatch
- Biodiversity and Utilization Research Center of Maejo University, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand
| | - Wisut Sittichaya
- Institute for Problems of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr.33, Moscow 119071, Russia
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Quah ESH, Grismer LL, Wood Jr. PL, Lim KKP, Imbun PY, Anuar MSS. An investigation into the taxonomy of Abavorana luctuosa (Peters, 1871) (Anura, Ranidae) and the resurrection of Rana decorata Mocquard, 1890 from Borneo. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e60921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The taxonomic status of the ranid frog Abavorana luctuosa (Peters, 1871) was investigated using a combination of molecular and morphological data. The analyses revealed that A. luctuosasensu lato is composed of two species in Borneo. One of these species agrees with the description of Rana decorata Mocquard, 1890 which is resurrected in the combination Abavorana decoratacomb. nov. (Mocquard, 1890). Abavorana decorata is recovered as the sister lineage to the remainder of Abavorana and differs by a 16.0–17.0 % uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence from its congeners A. nazgul and A. luctuosa, respectively. It is distinguishable morphologically from A. luctuosa and A. nazgul by its ventral pattern (bold, black and white reticulations on its venter along with bold banding on the underside of hind limbs vs. generally immaculate and spotted in the latter two species), and a prominent white streak beneath the eye and/or tympanum extending to the corner of the jaw. Abavorana decorata further differs from A. luctuosa by having a significantly wider head and snout, larger interorbital and tympanum diameters, longer femur in both sexes, and various combinations of other mensural characters. Both species are sympatric in Borneo and this discovery adds to a growing number of widespread Sundaic species shown to be species complexes with distinct forms in Borneo.
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