Introduction Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
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Journal of Sustainability Science and Management e-ISSN: 2672-7226 Volume 14 Number 1, February 2019 : 11-28 © Penerbit UMT HERPETOFAUNA OF UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU CAMPUS: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY IN CAMPUS GREEN AREA BAIZUL HAFSYAM BADLI-SHAM1, NOOR SHAHIRAH-IBRAHIM1, GOH SHU XIAN1, HAYATUN SYAMILA-NOH1, NIK SITI AISHAH ABDUL SHUKOR1, FARAH ANIS SHAFIE1, NURASIKIN MD DAUD1, FARHA ASYIREEN ABDUL RAZAK1, ROSHA ROSLI1, ANIS AZIRA ABDUL AZIZ1, FATIMAH NOR FATIHAH MOHAMMAD1, MOHAMED FAHMI KAMARUZZAMAN1, SUHAILI MOHAMAD1, KHUNIRAH DZU1, AMALINA SHARIFFUDIN1, SITI NAJWA-SAWAWI1 AND AMIRRUDIN AHMAD1,2,* 1School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 2Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus at Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Nerus has a considerable patch of pristine coastal mangrove forest, comprising more than 13 tree species, and associated fauna, such as bats, birds, insects, and herpetofauna. Over the years, many of the green areas, including mangrove vegetation have been replaced with built-up areas. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of herpetofauna in green areas around the UMT campus. Samplings of amphibians and reptiles were conducted by using the visual encounter survey technique. A total of 237 individuals representing 22 herpetofauna species was recorded, comprising five amphibians and 19 reptiles. All of the amphibians were regarded as habitat generalist species, while the reptiles were represented by 13 generalist species and 11 habitat specialist species. These species assemblages could be the reflection of the severe degradation of natural habitats, in which the remnant mangrove forests serve as a refuge. The remnant mangrove forests should be protected as these habitats are important to sustain the existence of many herpetofauna species on UMT campus. KEYWORDS: Amphibians, reptiles, diversity, mangrove, coastal, urbanisation. Tropical Introduction Several studies have been conducted on the diversity of herpetofauna in coastal areas Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, such Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Nerus, is located as by Daicus et al. (2010) and Lim (2010) at on the coastal area of Pantai Tok Jembal. The Pantai Melawi, Kelantan, as well as Sharma et campus was developed on what used to be a al. (2007) at Bukit Labohan, Terengganu. These predominant coastal mangrove forest. There studies have recorded a considerably diverse are more than 13 species of mangrove plants herpetofauna, especially reptiles in these harsh in the forest, harbouring various associated areas. From all of these studies, the Crab- fauna species, including small mammals (bats), eating Frog, Fejervarya cancrivora was notably birds, insects, and herpetofauna. Herpetofauna present, being the only amphibian species that in coastal areas are less diverse compared to can adapt well to high saline conditions in inland forest, comprising just a few species of mangrove habitat. Grismer et al. (2004) has amphibians (i.e., frogs and toads) and reptiles shown that several reptile species are confined to (i.e., snakes, skinks, lizards). However, little this type of habitat, such as the Mangrove Skink is known about the diversity of herpetofauna (Emoia atrocostrata) and several snakes, such in this ecosystem, due to lack of emphasis as Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Cerberus and education on the predisposed forest with rynchops and Ophiophagus hannah (Grismer et little intrinsic value. Mangrove forests on the al., 2006). contrary, are the first line of defense against strong waves and storms. Most of amphibians and reptiles are 12 HERPETOFAUNA OF UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU CAMPUS: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY IN CAMPUS GREEN AREA sensitive to habitat alterations, thus, making 12 September 2016, and (iii) 3–4 February 2017. them vulnerable to uncontrolled urbanization Diurnal and nocturnal surveys were conducted (Christie et al., 2012; Davis & Doherty, 2015). to cover the whole campus area. Samplings With the ongoing development of UMT campus were carried out by the visual encounter survey at Mengabang Telipot, it is timely for us to (VES) technique. Amphibians and reptiles were document the diversity of herpetofauna and captured using bare hands or with the aid of long- to review the importance of establishing the handle scoop nets. Once caught, animals were campus as a green area to preserve the urban temporarily stored in re-sealable plastic bags biodiversity. This paper highlights valuable prior to species identification. Specimens were results that are useful to address the effect of released after positive species identification urbanization on local fauna biodiversity on based on Inger and Stuebing (1997), Cox et al. campus. (1998), Ibrahim et al. (2008) and Norhayati et al. (2009). Selected individuals were euthanized Materials and Methods using benzocaine, and later, were fixed with 10% Study Area neutral-buffered formaldehyde before storing in 70% of alcohol as voucher specimens. All The present study was conducted at Universiti specimens were deposited in General Biology Malaysia Terengganu campus (5o 24’11.39” N; Laboratory of UMT for future references. 103o 05’9.60” E) at the north-eastern part of Previous records of herpetofauna found on the Peninsular Malaysia (Figure 1). The campus UMT ground that were kept in UMT collection ground was previously covered by dense coastal were also reported herein. Generally, anurans mangrove forest. Most of it has been converted and reptiles that encountered in more than one into build up areas. Several remnant patches can disturbed habitats are considered as a generalist, still be found on the campus area. while those only found in the specific habitat is considered as specialist species (Dunning et al., Samplings were conducted on three 1992; Jonsen & Fahrig, 1997). occasions, i.e., (i) 5–11 December 2014, (ii) 10– Figure 1. Google map-generated image of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia showing the present day infrastructure (A), and the built up and green vegetated areas pre-2000 (B). Inset is the map of Peninsular Malaysia showing the location of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (red dot) where the study was conducted. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 14 Number 1, February 2019 : 11-28 Baizul Hafsyam Badli-Sham et al. 13 Results and Discussion limnocharis, the other species could be found on buildings; inside buildings, such as in the toilet or A total of 241 individuals of amphibians and dampened places, or near constructed structures. reptiles was collected in three separate surveys, Thus, all of the five amphibian species can be representing 25 species of herpetofauna, of which regarded as a commercial species. These species five were amphibians from four families and 20 could be breeding in artificial fish ponds found species were reptiles from eight families (Table on campus. Most of these species are hardy 1). The list includes four old records that were species that are able to tolerate extreme habitat not found in the current study, namely, Dasia alteration. Fejervarya limnocharis can be olivacea, Ahaetulla nasuta, Boiga dendrophila, found on grassy areas around fish ponds, under and Naja kaouthia (see remarks in Table 1). trees or on playing fields on campus. Among All five amphibian species were common in the amphibians, Duttaphrynus melanostictus disturbed areas and can tolerate well in urban dominated the catches (71.9 %) and was the settings. With the exception of Fejervarya most common species. Table 1. Checklist of amphibians and reptiles in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu from the previous and current studies. Family Species Voucher specimens No. Habitats Remarks AMPHIBIANS Duttaphyrnus melanostictus Bufonidae UMTHC 0266 G Prv. (Schneider, 1799) Microhylidae Kaloula pulchra Gray, 1831 UMTHC 0274 G Prv. Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911 Observed* G Fejervarya limnocharis Dicroglossidae UMTHC 0277 G Prv. (Gravenhorst, 1829) Polypedates leucomystax Rhacophoridae UMTHC 0245 G Prv. (Gravenhorst,1829) REPTILES Agamidae Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) Observed* G Prv. Leiolepis belliana (Hardwick & Observed* S Prv. Gray, 1827) Varanidae Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768) Observed* S Prv. Scincidae Dasia olivacea Gray, 1839 Observed S Prv. Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl, Observed* G Prv. 1820) Eutropis longicaudata (Hallowell, Observed* G Prv. 1857) Lygosoma bowringii (Günther, UMTHC 0449 S 1864) Gekkonidae Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758) UMTHC 0435 S Gehyra mutilata (Wiegmann, Observed* G Prv. 1834) Hemidactylus frenatus Dumeril & UMTHC 0439 G Prv. Bibron, 1836 Hemidactylus platyurus UMTHC 0442 G (Schneider, 1792) Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 14 Number 1, February 2019 : 11-28 14 HERPETOFAUNA OF UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU CAMPUS: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY IN CAMPUS GREEN AREA Family Species Voucher specimens No. Habitats Remarks Colubridae Ahaetulla nasuta Lacépède, 1789 Observed S Prv. Boiga dendrophila Boie, 1827 Observed S Prv. Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw, 1802) Observed* S Coelognathus radiatus (Boie, 1827) Observed* G Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Observed S Prv. Homalopsidae Enhydris enhydris (Schneider, 1799) UMTHC 0452 G Hypsiscopus plumbea (Boie, 1827) UMTHC 0450 G Homalopsis buccata (Linnaeus,